Barn Owl chicks in a hosptal box

I am writing this hospital update having just returned from holiday so it is based on information from the hospital records and staff.

A total of twenty three wild birds have been seen by the staff in the hospital during the last month. One of the most interesting and unexpected patients were in fact three patients. Three baby Barn Owls were bought to the hospital by our friends from Wiltshire Wildlife. They are about five to seven weeks old and had fallen from their nest. October is very late for us to see babies of this age. They may have been a first clutch for the parents who could have lost their original family due to the cold and wet spell of weather we had in the early spring. They are doing well.

One other Barn Owl has been treated because it had a grass seed in its eye and the eye had become infected. The bird also had an injury to its left wing. It was treated for two weeks but did not improve so the decision was taken to euthanase it.

Five Tawny Owls had received treatment - one with a spinal injury, one with a broken wing, one with a head injury bought in by an RSPCA officer and one with Frounce infection. All were euthanased. We also treated one that had been found caught up in a football goal netting. It was uninjured except for its pride, and was kept in the hospital under observation for four days and was then released.

Six Buzzards arrived for treatment - three with wing injuries, one with a massive head injury and one hat had been hit by a van. These five birds all had to be euthanased. One bird was received badly infested with flies and maggots and died within the first 24 hours of being with us.

Five Kestrels have been bought to us - one of these also had a Frounce infection and a broken wing, two with broken wings, another with a broken leg. These were all euthanased. One bird was found on the ground in the Park with a tic very close to its eye. It died a couple of days after being found.

Barbary Falcon

No so common was a Merlin that came into us. This bird had a badly broken leg and had to be euthanased by our vet. We have seem a few more of these birds this year than in previous years.

A privately owned ringed hybrid Peregrine Falcon known as a Barbary was bought into us and is receiving treatment. Attempts are being made to trace the owner.

Last month I reported on the progress of our baby Yellow Billed Kites and the Snowy Owl named Sweeny Todd. Sweeny Todd has now left us and is in his own aviary out on the park and is undergoing training. The Kites are still with us.