On May 11, I received a message via via about an injured spoonbill in a fishpond in Bruinisse (schouwen). The spoonbill was severely emaciated and entangled in fishing hooks and fishing line. Fortunately, alert bystanders took the spoonbill to the veterinarian and later to the bird sanctuary in Middelburg.

Yesterday I was able to release the bird into a colony near the (suspected) breeding colony. The bird flew off without a problem and immediately joined a group of spoonbills brushing along the water's edge. This morning the bird was still there and looking good.

Kudos to the people who found the beast and may we continue to follow this “Africa Catcher” for a long time to come!