Lucky reprieve for tawny frogmouth family after their tree was blown over

A FAMILY of tawny frogmouths has received a second chance in life.

A tawny frogmouth chick with its father in the fallen tree at Lenah Valley. Pictures: SAM ROSEWARNE

A FAMILY of tawny frogmouths has received a second chance in life.

The family had been living in a Lenah Valley tree, but last Friday disaster struck when their wattle blew down in the wind.

The fall killed one chick, but the other survived.

Local wildlife carer Robyn Gates said she had been watching the family for a few weeks and notified Hobart City Council when she noticed the tree had fallen.

Mrs Gates said it was unusual for tawny frogmouths to survive a fall because they did not use traditional nests.

“A lot of locals watch these birds and love them, so there would be a lot of people caring about what happened to them,” she said.

Wildlife rescuer Dave Joyce, left, and Lenah Valley resident Robyn Gates next to the fallen tree.

The council sent staff out to cordon off the area within 45 minutes of being notified that the tree had blown over. Lord Mayor Sue Hickey said the tree would be removed after the chick had left the nest.

“About half the city is made up of bushland and reserves so our officers are used to working with and around wildlife,” she said. “It’s great to hear the surviving chick is thriving.”

Originally published as Lucky reprieve for tawny frogmouth family after their tree was blown over