Pigeon Rescue

UPDATE:   After further observation and examination, it became obvious that the pigeon does have a broken wing !

I have bandaged it into the best position that I can manage, and giving it an anti inflammatory twice a day.
Recovery will take some weeks, and there is no guarantee it will ever be able to fly...fingers crossed !  

Local Dog Warden Angie Taylor, saved a Lucky young wood pigeon this morning. Angie stopped the traffic at Tradespark when she spotted a newly fledged pigeon in the middle of the road, it was a miracle that nobody flattened it, as vehicles and lorries were driving over it. It was injured and Angie did not want to leave it by the woods edge, so brought it round to me, she previously did this a couple of years back with another pigeon. As far as I can tell, it has taken a knock on the right side, lost some tail feathers and right wing ability may be compromised.

Looks like it may have just come out of the nest for first time and possibly landed on the road.

Have given it some TLC and keeping it quiet for the time being, hopefully it will make a full recovery. Wood pigeons are one of my favourite birds, the squabs are so gentle and good natured.  

Dog Danger

One of our Trust members was aghast yesterday at the sight of a dog running amok trying to catch nesting ducks on the river. The woman owner was jogging and did not have the dog under control. 
This was close to the Swans island and fortunately the swans where elsewhere, otherwise it could have been a tragedy. There is no excuse for out of control dogs, and the trust will pass details to the dog warden and Police.  It is an offence for a dog to be out of control in a public place.

Trust Constitution Extracts

Some of our new Trust members might want to see some important extracts of the River Nairn Swans and Waterfowl Trust Constitution. The Constitution has ten articles, the following are articles 1 to 3.

1.     Name: of the fund will be “River Nairn Swans and Waterfowl Trust” hereafter referred to as The Trust.

2.     The Purposes / objects: of the Trust shall be the advancement, of welfare health, and protection of the River Nairn Swans, waterfowl, and water birds within the tidal reaches of the River Nairn. This includes their nesting island site, associated riverbanks, environment and habitat, for the good of the community and future generations in perpetuity. The trust shall be non political.

3. Powers: In Furtherance of the purposes / objects, the Trustees may exercise the power to: (i) Promote conservation, and environmental improvement, by educating and encouraging the local population to care for their River environment and wildlife. (ii) Invite and receive contributions through membership fees and raise funds where appropriate, to finance the work of the Trust and to open a bank account to manage such funds. (iii) Publicise and promote the work of the Trust, and work with others of a similar nature, and others who have an interest in the well - being of the River Nairn and it’s inhabitants. (iv) Employ staff or unpaid volunteers as necessary to conduct activities to meet the purposes / objects. (v) Take any form of action that is lawful and necessary to achieve the purposes / objects of the Trust. (vi) Appoint a suitable experienced avian person to look after the welfare of the water birds, as a voluntary river watcher on behalf of the Trust. 
Any members who would like to send in Wildlife photo's or comments please feel free to do so. These will be treated in strictest confidence if required. Membership is growing and we need as many members as possible to ensure the above articles are enacted and adhered to. We don't want any more slash and burn tactics on the riverside, depriving the wildlife of cover and exposing them to potential uncontrolled dog attacks ! A message to those habitual dog owners  who continue to use the riverside and leave their dogs mess - TRUST MEMBERS WILL BE WATCHING and the Region Dog warden will be notified !