Trevor Thompson, 12, helped rescue a mallard from Berlin Pond on June 30 and released it two days later after Angela Wilkin of VINS nursed it back to help. Wilkin gave Trevor a certificate of appreciation for his help.

At the end of June, Tina Valentinetti was photographing a mallard family at Berlin Pond when suddenly there was a flurry of wings, thrashing and splashing. She realized one or more ducks were entrapped in something, but she was unable to reach anyone at Fish & Wildlife.

So she called her daughter, Angela Wilkin, who is a registered bird transporter for VINS (Vermont Institute of Natural Science). Wilkin appeared on the scene with an inflatable boat, and with the aid of Wade Anderson and 12-year-old Trevor Thompson, who stopped to help, she was able to free two ducks who were tangled in fishing line.

Unfortunately, one of the ducks was already dead. But she was able to rescue the other duck, which she then transported to VINS in Quechee.

Two days later, the duck had completely recovered and was ready to be released back to Berlin Pond. Wilkin contacted Trevor, who was thrilled to be able to release the duck he helped to capture! He was also presented with a certificate of appreciation from VINS. May this incident be another reminder to people who use Vermont waterways of the hazards to wildlife from fishing line and other debris that is left behind.