Bird Drowned by Party Balloon

By way of illustration: half way around the world—a rescued Guillemot with a balloon tied tightly around its leg  | photo and rescue by David Steely, Farne Islands National Trust, UK| post by West Pier’s Joy Dryden

While out kayaking between Gate 6 1/2 and East and West Piers I saw some floating trash and paddled over to pick it up. It turned out to be a helium party balloon with a long thin ribbon that had gotten tangled around the feet and wings of a bird. The bird was dead.

Please be very careful not to let these balloons get away at an outdoor party. Better yet, don’t even use them.