Storm-tossed rare albatross is given a ride home

LOOKALIKE: It was a grey-headed mollymawk like this that was released off the Wanganui coast this week. PHOTO / MOLLYMAWK

Wild weather on the North Island west coast had a happy ending for one sea bird caught up in the storms - and Coastguard Wanganui played a key role.

A relatively rare grey-headed mollymawk albatross was blown inland near Levin on Saturday and later passed to staff at Massey University.

The bird was unscathed but veterinary staff at the university wanted it released back at sea as soon as possible.

So Coastguard Wanganui stepped up with the Energy Direct rescue boat.

Coastguard Wanganui skipper Joff Latus said the release on Wednesday went off without a hitch.

Mr Latus said the albatross, reckoned to be about 2-3 years old, was known to nest on Campbell Island.

"It was brought into Massey University after someone found it near Levin. Apparently, it had been blown inland during the stormy weather," he said.

Normally the bird would have been released off the Levin coast but a recent oil spill ruled that out.

"They contacted us [on Tuesday night] and we were good to go the next day," Mr Latus said.

The bird was brought over to Wanganui by university veterinary staff in what he described as a "triple XL cat cage".

"The vets were keen to get the bird back on to the water because albatrosses have very delicate feet," he said.

The weather was kind for the release, with a gentle swell running, and the Coastguard took the bird and its handlers a few kilometres off the Whanganui River bar.

Mr Latus said that, once back on the water, the albatross started preening and was soon flexing its wings.

The rescue boat headed back to port before they saw the bird take off, ending an operation that took no more than an hour.