They are federally protected birds, so you're not supposed to go near them - but some ospreys in the area found themselves in need of help.

When Arthur Wakefield stepped out the front door of his Fort Salonga home Friday evening, he saw an osprey entangled - hanging by one foot and struggling to get free.

"I couldn't believe what I saw," said Wakefield. "This bird was hanging upside down entangled in something, we didn't know what."

Wakefield called 911, and Northport volunteer firefighters Bill Scherer and Tom Pansini responded to the scene.

With a ladder truck, they were able to reach the entangled bird. They carefully wrapped it in a towel and cut the osprey free.

The rescue did not end there. The firefighters had to bring the threatened bird of prey down to the ground so they could cut the wire and string off the bird's talons.

Once the osprey was rescued, the neighbors that had gathered to watch broke out in cheers and applause.

"A lot of people were watching, and everybody was happy at the end. It was a good outcome," said Wakefield.

Wakefield says the osprey stayed on the ground for a bit and then finally flew back to its nest where its mate and two babies were waiting.

He says he is thankful for the volunteer firefighters who freed the bird.