Volunteers save hundreds of coastal WA birds from fishhooks in beaks, plastic and paralysing infections

Halina Burmej got involved in water bird rescue 11 years ago, after seeing a darter with fishing line wrapped around its beak in the Swan River not far from her home.

Warning: this story contains images readers may find distressing.

“I watched it take six weeks to starve to death and was myself unable to catch it,” Ms Burmej said.

“When I heard about a bird rescue course, I thought that was something that I could have a go at.

“I knew it was something I would be capable of. I had already been doing wildlife rehab, and I thought…