Late Barn Owls

These beautiful young Barn Owls were found cold and wet on the floor outside a stable.
They were dried out and are feeding well and have just started to fly.
They will be ready to go in mid November, but to release or not ?
Barn Owls had a rough winter and some of the breeding females were not in good enough condition to breed,
so had late broods.
 I have had more youngsters in that did not make it.Will have to wait and see what the waeather is like before I let them go.

This sow badger was found sleeping out in the rain in a back garden on the North York Moors. The kind householder rigged up a warm dry kennel and the badger moved in. She had been there a few days when I called to have a look at her. I took her over to Battleflatts Vets and Mark the vet  x rayed her . She was intact but had an abcess under an ear which needed antibiotics.She ate very well and remained quiet and dignified. After a week she perked up and I took her back. She moved at ease back on a badger path for home. The householder feeds these badgers and knows them well so she was so pleased to see her back.She has not returned to her kennel, but has been back for food.

Mute swan parents tell thier youngsters to clear off at this time of year and they arrive here bewildered and thin. 3 came in with a couple of days, one had been hit by a car standing on the road and had to be put to sleep. One had come from Middlesboro' and could not stand, she ate well and enjoyed the swan company and soon was on her feet.The other was found on the beach at Cayton with a blooded bill and just needed some time out. The adult white female was wondering away from water. She was moulting and could only walk not fly.They all did well and much conversations were heard in the swan pen.

I took them for ringing and release to North Duffield where they joined up with other non breeding birds. They were so pleased to be back in thier element.

A Little Grebe was found in the street in Bridlington unable to get up and go. This juvenile may be a Continental bird flown in tired and lost. The bird was not injured and was left to rest in a warm cupboard and enjoyed dabbling in fresh water overnight. She was released next day on a river where she paddling and dived out of sight.





Travelling Nightjar.

A specialist woodland bird was found on the deck of a freighter in the middle of the North Sea. The bird was exhausted and was kept safe until it docked at Hull 3 days later. The RSPCA were called and the bird was brought here. No one knew what it was and I was first told it was a small bird of prey.It turned out to be a this years juvenile Nightjar. The wild winds of the American hurricane must have blown this bird of course. Nightjar arrive here in the spring and breed in forest clearings feeding on flying moths and insects.They return to warmer climes in September.                         

She faired well and put on weight and flitted confidently round the kitchen. 

Here's my grandaughter Bella checking her out. She already has spatterhawk, badger and hare in her vocabulary , I'm suitably impressed of course ! The Nightjar was b.t.o. ringed and was ready for release. I took her to a mature mixed woodland with airy rides . She sat at ease on my out stretched hand before flitting off into the gloom of dusk.I hope she reaches the warm skies of Africa after her sea going adventures