There’s a longtail named Cliffy exploring the world, thanks to the efforts of a Paget couple.

Dennis and Lisa Whitehead said a tearful goodbye this week to the longtail chick they rescued from drowning over a month ago.

“There was a nest in the cliffs just below our house,” said Mrs Whitehead, whose house overlooks Grape Bay. “We knew there was a chick in there and we saw the parents flying in and out of the nest.”

They suspected the birds were new to parenthood because the nest was a little too low in the cliff and too close to the ocean.

“A storm came up in late September and the waves were washing right into the nest,” said Mrs Whitehead. “We knew we had to do something or the chick would drown.

“It was very late for longtail chicks. If it had been earlier in the season the proximity to the ocean would not have been a problem.”

Longtail chicks normally take two months to fledge and leave the nest in August.

Her husband clambered down to the nest and put the chick in a cat carrier.

“We put him back the next day when the sea had calmed down but the parents never returned,” said Mrs Whitehead.

They eventually fished the chick out again, fearing he would die.

“We took him to the Aquarium because we couldn’t feed him,” said Mrs Whitehead. “We did the right thing, because it turns out it is illegal to keep a longtail chick.”

Cliffy became one of six longtails being rehabilitated at the Aquarium. The Whiteheads visited him every week and were amazed to see how quickly he grew.

“I think he recognised Dennis,” said Mrs Whitehead. “Cliffy definitely would start to squawk and hop around when we visited.”

Just before Hurricane Gonzalo struck, Cliffy lost his appetite, a sign that he was ready to go off into the world.

Aquarium staff waited for the monster storm to pass, then released Cliffy from the roof of the Aquarium on Tuesday.

The Whiteheads were on hand to witness his graduation.

An Aquarium boat was nearby in the ocean, ready to scoop up Cliffy again if he fell into the water.

“Apparently, he did very well,” said Mrs Whitehead. “Other birds they have rehabilitated have had to be rescued from the water about ten times before they finally flew off. But Cliffy didn’t need to be rescued again.”

She said they watched Cliffy fly off with mixed emotions.

“We were sad and happy at the same time, but feeling good because the longtail is a symbol of Bermuda,” said Mrs Whitehead.

“It has been lovely to watch him grow. He turned out to be one beautiful bird.”

Cliffy is now tagged and probably won’t return to Bermuda to nest for another five years.

*The Whiteheads filmed Cliffy’s release and posted the video on Mrs Whitehead’s Facebook page.