Rehabilitation of wild injured birds of prey

Each year we have approximately 50 injured wild birds of prey brought into us. These wild birds by law are not allowed on display to the public. They are kept in our hospital unit, or off-show aviaries and when they are fit and healthy returned back to the wild as soon as possible.

Over the years we have successfully rehabilitated: Kestrels, Hobbies, Merlins, Peregrine Falcons, Buzzards, Sparrowhawks, Goshawks, Tawny Owls, Barn Owls, Little Owls and Short-eared Owls.

The birds are brought to us for a variety of reason, such as injuries from flying into windows or being hit by cars, but by far the most common reason is a young bird of prey that cannot fend for itself through the winter. The birds are brought to us by members of the public, vets and the RSPCA.

One such story was that of three rescued Hobbies who arrived suffering from exhaustion and hunger and were unfit to make their winter migration flight to Africa, but after nursing them back to health they were then given a helping hand on a Jumbo Jet to a rehabilitation centre in Gibraltar from where, they then completed their brief flight across to Southern Africa under their own steam where, hopefully, they would be reunited with their colleagues.

We are able to deal with most of the common injuries ourselves but those birds which need the attention of a vet are either taken to our local veterinary surgery or, if surgical attention is required, are taken to a specialist avian vet.

Please note: Unfortunately we are not able to offer a rescue service but will care for any bird of prey brought into us and release it back into the wild as soon as possible. For a local rescue service (North Worcestershire) for all wild birds ( and other animals) please contact Worcestershire Wildlife Rescue.