Briget Goes East

Briget our Swan visitor in Trust care, is now on her way east for relocation to Findhorn. 

She has been well fed and now weighs in at a healthy 9.6 kg. This is much more than she was a couple of weeks ago, when she arrived in the river in a weak and malnourished condition.

She now has more options to get in touch with a flock or two in open water, and hopefully find a mate. 

She has been happy and content during her stay with me, even to the point of sleeping outside my window and on occasion tapping at the glass !

We wish her well and a good future.

Short video clip below showing just how powerful the wings of a swan are.

Trust Care

With better weather and more people out and about, local woman Debbie found a young Blackbird   near the Links café. Apparently in danger of being stepped on, or grabbed by a dog. Young fledglings are best left where they are, as the parent birds usually always know where they are. 

The Trust will always try to find a solution, so we took the bird in this case. To ensure I would provide the best care I contacted our Avian adviser Sue Hulbert, having 30 years experience I knew she would give me the best advice. As always, Sue was up to the eyes in wildlife and birds herself, but gave me the gen on  best care for Blackbird fledglings. 

Armed with Sue's best advice I thawed some Mince and soaked some dried Mealworms. Fortunately this bird is not so tiny, and more easily handled and fed. I should be able to transfer it to the Aviary to learn to feed itself soon. Meanwhile a diet of Mince and Mealworms goes down well!

Trust Rehab Care

Following on the previous posting, thought I would try and capture a few shots of the rewarding and amusing side of bird rehabilitation.

The current duck under Trust care is proving to be a perfect patient, and would melt the heart of anyone. 

She is a wild Mallard but able to share a drink with me in the morning ! 

She will be going to the vet tomorrow for the removal of her leg splints. I am confident she will be walking normally very soon.
Short clip of morning drink with me below.