Again another very busy month in the hospital with the continuing care of the babies (all growing up fast) and several wild birds brought in for treatment and care.

We have treated 15 wild birds this month which included one Eagle Owl which had escaped while being flown by its owner, who was very pleased to get it back the following day.

One Tawny owl came in which had a serious head trauma including an injury to its left eye. It is responding to treatment and is now recovering well. Three Kestrels have received treatment; one died from his injuries while with us and the other two are receiving care. One was very thin and cold and is doing well but the other one had a slight foot infection to both feet and may not recover. Two Little Owls from Hampshire are with us and both responding well to our care. One came in having been attacked by Jackdaws and the other with a head injury, which may have been caused in a road traffic accident.

Michael with the young Milky Eagle owl.

Last month I wrote about two Peregrine falcons which arrived with us from Fawley Power Station near Southampton. One is still with us receiving treatment but the other one has been returned to the area, equipped with a radio transmitter so that its whereabouts can be tracked.

During the last couple of months I reported on some of our new (baby) arrivals in the hospital. Our Milky Eagle Owl (left) has grown into quite a personality. He enjoys being with us, especially when out of his bay so that he can watch us at work. Kim will be working with him and training him for future activity in the park.

Black Kite chicks in hospital bay

We have three other new babies under our care. They are Black Kites and have arrived with us from the Cotswold Falconry Centre. More about these in the future.

Two Sparrow Hawks have been to the hospital; one came to us via the Wiltshire Wildlife Centre and was found very wet and cold but with no injuries. It was very thin and in poor condition. It is eating well. The other one had a broken shoulder that could not be treated, and it was euthanased by our vet.

Buzzard with foot infection

It has been a busy month with Buzzards and six have been in for treatment. One died in transit to us, two were euthanased (one of these had a chronic foot infection and the other had spinal injuries which had caused paralysis in both legs. This bird was brought to us from Plymouth in Devon). The other three make better news; one is receiving medication for a foot infection and two were juvenile birds which we have hacked locally in our meadow (one had come to us via an RSPCA officer and the other from our friends at the Little Foxes Wildlife Sanctuary). We did not have any information as to where these birds had been found so were unable to return them to their original habitat. As they were juvenile birds, this method of release will give them ongoing support for a few weeks and will ensure they make good progress while getting used to being out in the wild.