Hi all,
this afternoon I had a call from security at Stena asking me if I could rescue an "injured bird". It was as I supected, a young Manxie which I duly retrieved and on examination found it to be pretty fit and fiesty. Of course Manxies are unable to take off from level ground requiring a drop off, to get airborne.
Normally I would have done it later in the evening, or from the Stena Europe, but the weather seemed to have cleared the gulls and I took it to the outer breakwater of Fishguard harbour and flung it off the wall into the wind about 30 feet above the sea. It flew strongly, circled and headed out to sea , hopefully to embark on its journey to the south American winter quarters.
The odds are plenty more inexperienced youngsters will follow lights inland at night and end up grounded. As such they are very vulnerable to cats dogs rats gulls etc . They are relatively easy to catch, try and grab from behind so you can keep the wings in their naturally folded position. You need to hold them firmly so they can't thrash about and injure themselves. but try not to squash them. They will try and bite, Its nothing more than a nip but don't hold them near your or anyone elses face, a peck in the eye could be nasty.
The picture above of Captain Bob Wheel holding a manxie (prior to release in the middle of the Irish Sea) shows the correct way to hold them
If you find one the best thing to do is pop it in a smallish box so they can't flap about and injure themselves.
A wine box (6 bottle type not the one with the tap!) or shoe box is good. Make a bit of a nest in the bottom with kitchen roll or scrunched up newspaper, best to make a few holes in the top before you put the bird in so its got air, then secure the lid with a bit of tape.
I have just spoken to Jean Haines who has a good team ready and able to advise:
Jean Haines,Oiled Birds Sanctuary,West Williamston,Pembrokeshire.01646 651236
allthingsgood, walrus
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