Since my last update written for November, we have changed our clocks, which has led to it getting darker earlier in the evening. This change often leads to an increase in the number of birds, particularly owls, being hit in traffic accidents. The birds are attracted by the car headlights and cannot get out of the way. This year we have not seen the increase that we have experienced in previous years. This may be because there is still plenty of food around and the birds are not hunting over such a large area, or it may be some other reason.

Our new Barn Owl

We have treated eighteen birds this month; fifteen were wild and three from the Trust. We have had a good selection and I’ll start off with the Barn Owls, one of my favourite birds of prey. We have treated four birds. Two came in with serious wing fractures and had to be euthanased. One hit a car and the driver brought it to us very quickly. It had sustained a bang on the head which had caused concussion. It is still on medication and is recovering well. The fourth one came to us from Bath and was brought in by an RSPCA officer. The bird had been treated at their Westhatch rescue and treatment centre. They could not find much wrong with the bird but it did seem very happy to be handled by humans. We were able to confirm that it has been imprinted, ie. handled and partially trained while still a young bird. Permission is being sought for it to be kept on the park and trained up as a holding or display bird. The bird is one of the best marked Barn Owls that I think I have ever seen. It is symmetrically marked from its face mask down its breast. A beautiful bird.

I have been reporting over several months on a Barn Owl which came into us with severe spinal injuries. Improvement to this bird’s ability to stand did not continue, even with daily physiotherapy, so eventually it was decided that it would have to be euthanased. It was a wild bird and could not have gone back into the wild the way it was.

We also treated two Tawny Owls. One came to us via the RSPCA with blood in its mouth and died soon after arrival. The other one came through a vet in Sturminster Newton having been in a car accident. It recovered well and was released back into the wild.

The Little Owl from Middle Wallop

We have treated a Little Owl which flew into a window of the Army Air Museum at Little Wallop. It was stunned on arrival but after a few days of our tender loving care it was well enough to be released back into the wild.

Two Kestrels came in. One was very wet and under condition. It is still with us, being fed up so that it can put on some weight before being released. The other one was a juvenile with a broken wing resulting from a traffic accident. It was euthanased. We have also taken care of three Buzzards. One with an injured shoulder which is now beginning to heal, one with two broken legs and one with a broken pelvis; both had to be euthanased. We also treated three Sparrowhawks. One had received wing damage which is treatable and is receiving regular medication and treatment. Of the other two, one died just after coming into the hospital and the other had to be euthanased as it had an open wing fracture.

Gucci, the Malaysian or Brown Wood Owl

Avon, one of our Barn owls is currently spending nights in the hospital and going outside during the day to be part of the flying display team. Gucci, a Brown Wood Owl has been with us as he cut his foot. He is recovering well.

Goose, a Bateleur Eagle, is being treated for a sinus abscess. It is a long slow process but he is responding to treatment and should be able to go back to his aviary in a few weeks.

Jane and I would like to wish all our readers a very Happy Christmas and look forward to keeping you up to date on the activities of the Hilary Smith Hospital during 2008.