I am an Accredited Raptor Rescue Rehabilitator and at the end of every year they ask for information on birds of prey cared for in the last year. I cared for 99 injured birds ,43 Tawny Owls, 19 Barn Owls, 11 Buzzards,9 Sparrowhawks,8 Little Owls,7 Kestrels, 1 Peregrine and 1 Red Kite. 53 birds of prey were ringed and released back to the wild. I strive for better but wonderful to know over half were released back to
lead a wild life.
I have had a run on rta Tawny Owls , all found by roads ,concussed and quiet. I've 2 here doing well, eating and on the up.
I am caring for a shot kestrel with a badly broken leg, his leg was pinned by Mark Naguib , vet and we are hopeful for a good out come, early days yet. Which moron decided it was a good idea to shotgun shoot this bird is beyond me. Humberside Police and RSPB are investigating. The persecution of birds of prey continues. I have 3 buzzard persecution cases on the go and will tell all when I'm able. Please look out and report in to me, police or rspb if you are aware of any wildlife crime, we will all do our very best to address it.
The little Kestrels xray with shattered leg, now pinned, shotgun pellets near the collar bone.
This adult female was brought here at the end of January 2015, she had grave injuries caused by an illegally set spring/pole trap.She was found in the grounds of Sledmere House. One foot was missing and the blooded stump , was an offence to see. The other foot was swollen and sore. Her tail feathers tatty and broken. Fen traps are placed often on fence posts or tree stumps, anywhere a bird of prey may perch. The bird lands and the heavy metal trap shuts causing fractures and gripping the leg. The bird flaps and panics to get away causing the leg to snap.
She was put to sleep.
This second bird also from the dales of Sledmere arrived here on Wednesday. It had been dead and partially eaten. I had the bird x rayed and it showed no shot or fractures to the skeleton of the bird. The feathers were in good working order . So what fate became of this previously well bird ?
In the recent past a buzzard was found on the Sledmere estate and sent for toxicology testing. The bird had been illegally poisoned and the Head Game Keeper was raided by Humberside Police and NWCU. More than one illegal poison was found in his house on the Sledmere Estate. He received a conditional discharge ? How bizarre.
A badger sett was found illegally dug and I went out to give my expert opinion on the current use of the sett. A badger cub was laid dead next to a man made dug hole on this active badger sett in one of the dales at Sledmere.
Am I angry , you bet I am, holding a bird of prey in the hand knowing that its severe injuries are the result of a deliberate man made action should make us all mad.
Are we to tolerate this illegally killing of protected species . Time to stop.
