Last month I reported on Madeline, our Secretary Bird. She returned to her aviary when the weather improved. Unfortunately she became unwell again, this time with a blockage at the end of her digestive tract. She was quickly seen by our vet who dealt with the problem. She has been on a course of medication and is recovering well

This has been a quiet month in the hospital which has allowed us to get some maintenance carried out and the renewal of the perches in the large bays. The work continues.

We have seen six wild birds. These were:-

• Kestrel in hospital bay

  Kestrel just before release

  Three Kestrels. One had a broken wing and had to be euthanased, another one has a small wing fracture and dislocation and is receiving treatment. The third one had a respiratory infection and received a course of medication. This bird recovered very well and has now been released back into the area where it was found. The person who bought the bird to us was aware that this bird had a male partner close by.
• One Barn Owl also with a broken wing. This bird had to be euthanased.
• Two Buzzards. Both were brought into the hospital by RSPCA officers. One Buzzard had been found stuck in the grill of a 7 tonne lorry. It has sustained cuts, concussion and bruising. It died while in our care on its first night with us. The other bird had an abscess in its throat and had to be euthanased.

Baby Burrowing Owl being fed The first baby has hatched in the hospital this year. It is a Burrowing Owl, offspring from the young pair we had in July 2006. (I wrote about their arrival in the July 2006 hospital report). There will be more about this young bird as it grows up.