RSPCA braced for more stranded birds

Rescued Manx shearwater juveniles © RSPCA

09.09.11

We are bracing ourselves to rescue more migrating birds blown off course as strong winds are forecast for this weekend.

A record number of Manx shearwater juveniles were blown inland by strong winds in Pembrokeshire. Our inspectors have been rescuing them from the surf in Newgale and from gardens since Monday, 5 September.

The team had rescued 19 birds by late afternoon on Monday but since then they have recovered hundreds more, mainly Manx shearwaters but also other birds like gannets.

RSPCA Inspector Keith Hogben said it had been the biggest rescue of birds in Wales since the Sea Empress oil spill in 1996.

Risk to birds as more strong winds forecast

We are preparing for another influx of stranded birds over the weekend as the Met Office is predicting gusts of wind of up to 44mph.

Inspector Hogben said:

The weather forecast for the weekend is for strong winds so are expecting some more to be blown in, hopefully not on the scale we have seen, but we would ask people to keep an eye out for them.

It is vital that we do our best to locate these birds as soon as possible as they are otherwise at risk with regards to predators, the weather, shock and hypothermia.

The islands of Skomer and Skokholm have around 50 per cent of the UK’s Manx shearwater population - the largest known concentration of the species in the world.

In August and September the adults and then the juveniles leave the islands to begin migration to the coast of South America, but the strong winds have blown them off course.

Inspector Hogben added:

We have rescued another 20 from people’s gardens. They appear to be in quite good condition so it is a case of re-hydrating them and sending them on their way again.

We are so pleased the public have been ringing in to tell us about them.

Identification

The Manx shearwater has long straight slim wings, and is black above and white below. Its feet are placed far back on its body enabling efficient swimming, causing it to shuffle on land, or slide along on its belly.

Anyone who spots one of the stranded birds is warned to avoid its sharp beak but throw a towel over it and carefully put it in a box.

The number to call is our 24-hour helpline on 0300 1234 999.

Find out more

So far 318 birds have been transferred to our West Hatch Wildlife Centre near Taunton in Somerset, where they are being washed and fed to build them up before they are released.

The birds will be released back into the wild in batches coast nearer West Hatch, in the Bristol Channel area.