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Birds fly coop after rail-side rescue plan hatched

Photographer documents close call in White Rock
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A daunting situation resulted in a sense of relief for White Rock photographer Randy Cosenzo.

Cosenzo, who frequents the White Rock beach, noticed a killdeer nesting four eggs approximately three feet from the railway tracks near the waterfront pier.

Cosenzo contacted Peace Arch News last week and thought something should be done to protect the nest while BNSF construction crews replace the rail line ties in White Rock and South Surrey.

He said mother and father did not seem bothered by the passing trains, but he thought a box should be built to protect the nesting eggs – that is, until last Sunday.

“At 9:20 a.m. the female killdeer stepped off her nest and the first two chicks began the treacherous climb up (the) rocks, then had no idea how to get to the other side (of the tracks),” Cosenzo wrote to PAN Monday.“Mom and dad continuously called and enticed them to mark the way. Gladly, after three trains had passed over them and with many onlookers watching, success was achieved with them getting to safety on the other side of the tracks. Then, total quiet from the parents and there new life begins.”

Cosenzo took some photographs of the event and spoke with PAN on Tuesday.

He said two of the eggs hatched and there was no evidence of the other two eggs.

“I don’t know why, I don’t know what happened to their shells, but they are not there anymore. If a bird was going to pick it up there is no way it could pick it up without cracking the egg, but there’s no remnants of the eggs,” he said.

Cosenzo was in the Peace Arch Park Tuesday and said BNSF have started to replace the rail ties near the border. He said he’s no longer concerned about the birds’ safety.

“They are not using the nest anymore. They have moved the little ones over to the safety on the other side of the tracks, near the hillside. Everything is good, they can do whatever they want now.”

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About the Author: Aaron Hinks

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