[VillagesFlorida]

This morning I became aware of a pair of killdeer that were very agitated and flitting from rooftop to the street, back on to a roof and back into the street. Three baby birds seemed to be trapped in our side courtyard and the parents were having a time trying to get them out from under our gate. They finally squeezed under and began their trek across the street, Momma and Daddy killdeer yelling all the way. I was watching and saw one of the baby birds fall into the grate in the street where the runoff ground water is drained away. The parents were making trips to the grate, trying to figure out what to do. The baby was in the drain, maybe 5'-6' down.

I called our Community Watch folks and they sent out a fellow to assess the situation. He in turn called the fire department and someone who would bring a net should we get lucky and be able to retrieve the little bird. I do not believe that these babies were able to fly yet.

It took about 2 hours and the Jaws of Life to get the grate to move......can you imagine???

My heart is singing with gratitude tonight, knowing that I live in a community where a tiny bird's life is valued to the extent that two Community Watch employees were on the scene as were two fireman, and eventually their supervisor.

I tried without success to post some photos of the rescue but the uploads failed. I'll try to add them to my album on my profile.

[gomoho]

Hurrah! love that story.

[eremite06]

My son and his crew from Marion Co. Fire Sta. 10, rescued a little kitty trapped in a storm drain in the north Villages. They didn't use the jaws to lift the drain grate, but just raw manpower.

Hurray for our public servants.

[marianne237]

Thank you for posting this story. Just needed to read something to make me smile today.l

[shalomuall]

wow, kudos to you and all the rescuers.

[buggyone]

I was driving in my golf cart along Talley Ridge Drive by the 8th hole on Stirrup Cup around 4:45 pm today and saw a fire truck on one side of the road and storm grates on both sides were opened. Some people were standing around. At least one fireman was halfway into the grate. I commented to my wife that it must be a kitten or a baby duck that had fallen in and they were rescuing it.

Was that the one mentioned from Marion County? Anyhow, great job and hats off to you.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by VillagesFlorida

This morning I became aware of a pair of killdeer that were very agitated and flitting from rooftop to the street, back on to a roof and back into the street. Three baby birds seemed to be trapped in our side courtyard and the parents were having a time trying to get them out from under our gate. They finally squeezed under and began their trek across the street, Momma and Daddy killdeer yelling all the way. I was watching and saw one of the baby birds fall into the grate in the street where the runoff ground water is drained away. The parents were making trips to the grate, trying to figure out what to do. The baby was in the drain, maybe 5'-6' down.

I called our Community Watch folks and they sent out a fellow to assess the situation. He in turn called the fire department and someone who would bring a net should we get lucky and be able to retrieve the little bird. I do not believe that these babies were able to fly yet.

It took about 2 hours and the Jaws of Life to get the grate to move......can
you imagine???

My heart is singing with gratitude tonight, knowing that I live in a communit where a tiny bird's life is valued to the extent that two Community Watch
employees were on the scene as were two fireman, and eventually their supervisor. I tried without success to post some photos of the rescue but the uploads failed. I'll try to add them to my album on my profile.

Thanks for sharing this heartwarming story.

[carm310]

Great story, thanks for sharing. Hoping to see the pictures!

What a great story! Thank-you for being so kind.

Katie

[Bonny]

That is just so awesome !!! A big thank you to the rescuers !

[VillagesFlorida]

Still unable to post the photos I took....they are on my Facebook page but my privacy settings are too tight for any of you to see them. I'd be happy to e-mail some of the pictures if anyone cares to contact me. Thank you for the kind comments, and no, this was in Sumter County.

[jpharmat]

Love to hear stories such as this one!!! Thank you for sharing.

[VillagesFlorida]

Well, I figured that with all of the bad news there is in the world it might be nice to read something heartwarming for a change. I wasn't sure that this story would have such a happy ending but the professionals who help us in emergency situations came through in a big way. All I did was call. They are the real heroes.