One by one, each one of the nine fledglings tested its wings at the Diamond Head shoreline — all with varying approaches — some from the sand and some from the hands of volunteers, before flying out over the ocean as nature intended.

For the third season in a row, the Hawaii Wildlife Center has sent a team of bird specialists to Oahu to help the fledgling seabirds — mostly native wedge-tailed shearwaters — survive the “seabird fallout” season.

During winter months the young seabirds rely on the light of the moon to guide them on their inaugural flights from burrows out to sea but become disoriented by lights from airports, street lamps and buildings. Many end up circling artificial light sources, then drop from exhaustion or collide with structures.

Once down, the fledglings become highly vulnerable to predators, starvation or strikes by vehicles.

The Oahu Seabird Aid Program, launched in November 2017, has rescued hundreds of seabirds from that plight.

Alexis Wessels, Oahu Seabird Aid program manager, has been been busy with daily pickups of fallen seabirds, as well as releases, as of mid-November. As of Friday afternoon she and a team of volunteers had successfully released 137 fledgling seabirds, including the nine wedge-tailed shearwaters released that Friday afternoon.

“The high majority of them are healthy fledglings,” said Wessels. “They just need a second chance.”

Once released, they are expected to remain at sea for several years, until ready to nest themselves.

This year the Big Island nonprofit has rescued more seabirds than it has in past years, according to center Director Linda Elliott.

“There have been more birds coming through our Oahu Seabird Aid Program this year compared with past years,” said Elliott in an email. “Last year we ended the fallout season at 213 birds. This year we’re already past 200 fallout birds and we’re only two-thirds through the season.”

Statewide, about 80% of the 200 fallout birds are from Oahu, which typically experiences several hundred to over a thousand downed seabirds every year.

The most affected areas this year include the Windward side of Oahu, including Kailua, Kaneohe and Waimanalo, along with Kapolei and Honolulu. A few downed birds were found in Kahuku early in the season, as well. The most birds picked up in one day — 31 — occurred Nov. 26.

The majority of fledglings are evaluated and released within a few days, but some need long-term care due to more serious injuries from a collision or predation.

Seabird fallout season lasts through January, and until then the center asks the public to keep an eye out for downed seabirds on the ground, whether in roadways or residential yards. The faster a rescue occurs, the better the condition of the seabirds likely will be.

Downed seabirds can be dropped off 24 hours a day, seven days a week at approved sites including the Hawaiian Humane Society headquarters on Waialae Avenue, Feather and Fur Animal Hospital in Kailua and Sea Life Park in Waimanalo.

“We have noticed better public response this year,” said Elliott. “Members of the public are more informed or are able to more easily find the information they need and are able to call for assistance or drop off a bird quickly once discovered.”

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WHAT TO DO IF YOU FIND A DOWNED SEABIRD

>> Call the Hawaii Wildlife Center at 884-5000 for guidance.

>> Take the bird to Feather and Fur Animal Hospital, which is open 24 hours, seven days a week in Kailua, or other locations listed at dlnr.hawaii.gov/wildlife/downed-wildlife-contact-details.

>> Unsure whether what you found is a seabird? Email HWC at birdhelp@hawaiiwildlifecenter.org and staff will be happy to help you ID the bird.