We have treated ten wild birds and five of the Trust’s birds during the past month, together with the three baby Black Kites.

Buzzard being examined

For September, we have seen a larger than usual number of birds with injuries received from traffic accidents; it is usually not until the clocks go back at the end of October that the numbers tend to increase. Also, ticks have been a problem towards the end of the summer both for wild and Trust birds. This may have been due to the wetter start to the summer which allowed more ticks to grow and survive.

Amongst the wild birds treated, we have seen three Tawny Owls; two had injuries cause by traffic accidents and one had a fractured wing. One died while at the vets and the other two had to be euthanased.

The barn owl which has spinal injuries; now able to stand on a perch

We also cared for two new Barn Owls, as well as one which has been a more long-term patient. One of the new admissions came in with an open fracture to its left wing and had to be euthanased. The other, from Wiltshire, had a tick to the right eye and associated swelling from the infection. It has been receiving eye drops and a course of antibiotics. It is now progressing well. Last month I reported that we had received a Barn Owl with severe spinal injuries. It has been receiving intense and regular physiotherapy and is now able to stand and get up onto a perch in one of our larger recovery bays. Both Jane and I are really pleased with the progress as a result of the extra effort we have given this bird. It will need to stay with us for a while yet.

Buzzard in hospital bay

One of the Buzzards that came to us had an open fractured wing and had to be euthanased. Another was bought to us from Berkshire, following a road accident with head injuries affecting its eyes and head. It has been seen by our vet, and the prognosis is not very good. At the time of writing it is still receiving treatment to see if it can make any improvement. The other one has a bad wing fracture but our vet was able to pin it. Although the bird is on medication it is making poor progress which will be reviewed shortly by the hospital team and the vet.

Young black kite leaving the hospital for the last time, with Gary

The young Black Kites that were hatched by The Cotswold Falconry Centre between 13th and 17th June and have been with us since the 5th July, have now left us for the big wide world of the park. They were the last of the baby birds this year to leave our care. They are now undergoing training.

The other Trust birds that came in for treatment were :-
Clare the Harris Hawk, with a strained right wing. She is on medication and progressing well
A Great Grey Owl
Tolkien the Milky Eagle Owl
Beamish the Black Kite

These last three all had ticks on their heads and/or eyes. All received treatment and a short stay in the hospital, and are now all back out in their own aviaries.

The last of the Trust’s birds to stay with us for a short time was another adult Black Kite who was a bit under the weather. He was checked out and given extra food before returning to his aviary.