With the cold spell being with us longer than usual and longer than expected, we have been quite busy in the hospital with 18 wild and 5 park birds coming in as patients during the last month. The wild birds suffer very quickly and lose condition if they cannot feed due to injury or illness, so several that have been bought into us have been very poorly and have died or had to be euthanased. Some of the injuries we have seen have been quite serious.

Tawny Owls - note the different colour phases (grey and brown)

Only one of our recent patients has been released back into the wild. This was a Long-eared Owl which went back to Binstead near Alton. One of our longer term patients also was released between Whitchurch and Overton.

Seven Barn Owls have been bought in. Three had to be euthanased, two died and two are still in care. Two Buzzards came in both with severe head injuries and had to be euthanased. Of the four Tawny Owls, two are in care and two were euthanased because they both had head injuries probably from traffic hits. The three Kestrels died while in care. They came in a poor condition, two were very thin and one had head injuries.

Long-eared Owl

We do not see many Long-eared Owls as patients in the Hospital. This month we have seen two; one with a fractured wing and the bird had to be euthanased as the break was too bad for the vet to repair. The other one from Alton was found by a farmer caught in chicken wire and after a short stay in the hospital it was released.

The Long-eared Owl is a resident of the UK but very hard to spot. It is a large handsome bird and can sometimes be found in communal roosts of up to 20 birds. These are found in tall trees, often pines, or dense thickets including hawthorn which is what makes them difficult to see. They are not usually in flight until it is almost dark. They naturally feed on small rodents and roosting birds.

Secretary Bird Madeleine

Five of our park birds have been in to visit us. Bert, one of our Griffon Vultures had to have a course of antibiotics as he damaged his tail feathers. He is now back in his aviary. One of the White Backed Vultures and Madeleine, our Secretary Bird both also had to have antibiotics and are now back in their aviaries. A Red Kite came in for a short stay because it was not eating.

Snowy Owl

Our Snowy Owl is in the hospital being assessed; she is unwell and being kept under observation at the time of writing.

Last month I reported that four of our park birds were receiving treatment in the hospital. I am pleased to report that they have all been returned to their own aviaries.

Mike Wallis.