On Nov. 15, the Wildlife Center of the North Coast posted on Instagram that seven common murre jumplings were released near the mouth of the Columbia River. The birds had arrived at the center after being found beached in August and September.

“Common murre chicks, known as jumplings, exhibit a unique fledging behavior,” the post explained. “They jump off cliff nest sites into the water, where the male parent guides them in learning to catch fish.

“However, some jumplings are not yet strong enough to withstand ocean currents, or keep pace with their parent, resulting in them washing ashore. Concerned individuals who find these birds on the beach contact WCNC, where the jumplings are nurtured until they are capable of surviving independently.”

To be ready for release into the wild, the jumplings need to hit a specific weight range, be fully waterproof and able to dive for their own food, and were banded by the Wildlife Center’s senior wildlife rehabilitator, Stefanie Collar.

The birds were released from a boat, “ensuring a seamless transition to their natural environment.” And so it was, as the little group happily swam away.

“We are excited about what we might learn from these banded murres,” Collar said, “in terms of both immediate and long-term success of seabirds leaving rehab.” (Photo: Wildlife Center of the North Coast)