I am writing these notes a few days before Christmas after an exciting and sometimes sad six months of Hospital Reports. They had been interesting and often demanding to research and put together, but I hope always worthwhile.

This last month has not been any different with a good collection of species in as patients together with some demanding requirements by at least one of our park birds.

Parsnip being tube fed by Mike Riley

Close up of Parsnip showing the tube

It was noticed by Jane towards the end of November that Parsnip, one of our Oriental While Backed Vultures had gone off her food. John Chitty our vet was called in and after examination was concerned and took her into the surgery. A growth was found behind her stomach. John inserted a tube into her crop so that food could be given to feed her up. When the time was right, John removed the growth by surgery. On examination it turned out to be benign which was good news and a relief. Tube feeding continued when Parsnip returned to the hospital until she could feed herself normally.

When the tube was removed she was transferred to one of the recovery aviaries where she is doing very well and is still receiving lots of tender loving care.

Parsnip is a female Oriental White Backed Vulture and was born on 22nd January 1995 and came to The Trust from Wuppertal Zoo in May 1996. It is hoped that she will breed from one of the male Vultures.

One of our Boobok Owls is in the hospital with slight breathing difficulties. He is having antibiotics and is being nebulized regularly. He is responding well.

Figaro, the Brahminy is still with us but will probably leave and go back to his aviary within the next week or so.

We have had nine wild birds in during the past month. These were, two Barn Owls both with possible impact injuries. One is recovering. Three little owls, one of which definitely hit a car windscreen. Two of these are recovering. One Tawny Owl was bought in by an RSPCA officer because it could not stand. It had to be euthanized because of the severity of its injury. And finally a Buzzard with wing/shoulder damage and again this bird had to be euthanized.

I am pleased to report that the six Red kites have been released at the top of the park near to Reg’s Meadow. In the middle of November the birds were radio and colour ring tagged to aid tracking and identification and placed in the large aviary near to the deer.

Red Kite being weighed prior to being placed in the aviary	Sam about to release one of the Kites in the aviary	Mike and Gary opening up the aviary to allow the birds their freedom

After three weeks of flying practice, the top end of the aviary net was opened to allow the birds

to leave in their own good time. Within four days all six birds had left. They are being monitored and tracked on a regular basis to ensure they continue to feed and stay healthy. Haydown from the 2002 release is still around to show them the ropes.

As this is our first report for 2006, Mike Riley and I would like to wish our readers a very Happy New Year.

Mike Wallis.