This is the first of our new quarterly reports from Hilary’s Bird of Prey Hospital at the Trust. During the last three months, we have experienced some very mixed weather from being very cold with plenty of ice and snow to the warmer and brighter days at the end of March. This all affects our own activities and it very much affects the activities and feeding habits of wild birds.
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Tawny Owl having the pin removed from its leg |
During the last three months we have seen many wild birds requiring attention and treatment. Here is a summary of them and their outcome where it is known.
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We continued to treat a Sparrow Hawk which was admitted in 2009. It was released successfully in January. We also treated two other Sparrow Hawks, one was very thin and the other had been involved in a motor accident. Both died.
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We have been busy with Tawny Owls. The adults were admitted with a variety of different injuries or illnesses, including serious concussion, poisoning, Frounce infection, hitting barbed wire and the usual motor vehicle accidents and collisions. One of the birds that had hit a car had a straight forward broken leg that our vet successfully pinned. The bird recovered very well and was released back to the wild.
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We are also treating two juvenile Tawny Owls that had fallen out of the nest. We do expect to see more of these during the summer. They will all be released later in the summer.
It is always best if at all possible to put the baby birds back into their nest, or at the very least back into a tree. This is the best course of action for them, as their parents will continue to look after them until they can fly.
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Five Barn Owls have been treated. One is still receiving treatment for a wing injury. Three either died or were euthanased as they had bad wing or spinal injuries. One was released having been treated for a severe tick infestation.
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European Buzzard |
Five Kestrels were also treated. Two were released, one died and two were euthanased.
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Five Buzzards were treated, three for motor vehicle accidents, one had a fracture, and one had a Frounce infection. One is still in the care of the hospital, although unfortunately the other four had to be euthanased.
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Three Little Owls received treatment and care. One was released after it had put on some weight. One arrived dead and the other had to be euthanased as the wing fracture was very severe and could not be repaired.
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We are currently treating a Red Kite with very severe wing-tip oedema in both wings. This is worse than anything I have seen before. The bird feeds well and is showing very slow improvement.
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web site last modified on
Thursday, 2 September, 2010