Ron
has been a volunteer worker with the R.S.P.C.A. and the Merseyside Police for
over 20 years caring for all manner of wild birds. In 1994 Ron was awarded a
Certificate of Appreciation in recognition of
his valuable assistance to the R.S.P.C.A..
More recently Ron has appeared on the BBC's Animal Hospital
“I have for some years now been releasing birds back into the wild, deciding at last to outline my methods on this site in the hope that they may be of use to anyone of like mind, who has the time and patience to become involved with caring for those unfortunate wild birds that fall into dire straits.
First let me point out that I am not a vet and I have no knowledge of medicines. I am just a nurse of sorts if you like, and have built up any knowledge I do possess by trial and error over the years.
People often ring up and ask me how to feed and look after a fledgling bird that they have rescued. If it cannot be put back safely where it was found and has to be taken in hand then the following is the method I use, which is basically how the wild parents of these young birds would do it. Not a mystery. No magic touch. Just based on observation and common sense. A method that works time and again but one I am always willing to update. If there is anyone out there who can improve any part of it please let me know.
A larger establishment than my modest set up would need to adopt a different strategy, feeding pens and mass release etc, but this is not for me. I haven’t the room anyway. The pleasure of having a wild bird or birds flying free about the house and garden and coming down to ones call is a fantastic feeling. To see them develop and grow their individual characters is enlightening and very rewarding. It gives me a different outlook on animals in general.
We need to do more for all of them. Domesticated or wild. This latest outbreak of foot & mouth disease highlights the plight of our farming stock and the cruel callous way we treat animals. There has to be a better way. What chance do wild animals have when we treat our domestic animals the way we do?"
The different wild species I have managed to rear from chicks and hack from my garden successfully:
Kestrel, Sparrow hawk, Woodpigeon, Little Owl, Tawny Owl, House Martin, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, Starling, Wren, Jackdaw, Jay.
Wild bird species reared from chicks or looked after then released or placed successfully elsewhere:
Mallard Duck, Common Gull, Herring Gull, Black headed Gull, Barn Owl, Short-Eared Owl, Little Owl, Long-Eared Owl, Tawny Owl, Swift, Jay.
Trained hawks & Owls taken in, looked after and returned to owners or placed elsewhere:
Buzzard, Goshawk, Harris Hawk, Kestrel, Lanner Falcon, Merlin, Peregrine, Red-Tailed Hawk, Sparrow Hawk, Barn Owl, Eagle Owl, Great Horned Owl, Snowy Owl, The later two just found placements.