“Until you can apply the information
that you’ve learned, then and only then will you be
rewarded.”
Andy Fuehl
We have built a rehabilitation aviary as
occasionally people who know our work have brought in several injured
and ill birds. We have successfully rehabilitated Barn Owls, several
Goshawks, an Eagle Owl, a couple of Pearl Spotted
Owls and a Marsh Owl plus a few other non-raptors including a pied crow who now
lives in the garden. All were
released back in to the wild, albeit we do sometimes get feeding visits from
them or they just like the area and stay local.
Release programme
Over the years we have
become quite successful with our rehabilitation programme and to get the bird back
into the wild is our ultimate goal. This is not always as easy as it sounds and
takes a great deal of time and patience.
To achieve this we use two methods :
1. Falconry, where we actively
teach the bird to hunt.
Once the bird shows that it is fit by successfully hunting with us then it is
usually ready to fend for itself in the wild and is released.
2. Hacking Back, is a method which involves leaving a healthy but unfit bird in
a aviary for a few weeks to get used to its surroundings. The aviary is then
left open to let the bird out in its own time to go and hunt.
The bird being unfit usually does not catch anything on the first few attempts
and returns to the aviary to get its daily food ration. The process is repeated
until one day the bird is able to hunt /fend for itself and does not return.
Captive Residents
These captive birds
fall into three categories :
1. Mechanically damaged due to some form of accident in the wild leaving
them with permanent physical damage. They therefore cannot be returned to
the wild to fend for themselves.
2. Mentally damaged (Imprinted) where they have been removed from the
wild as chicks and think they are the same species as the individual who hand
reared them. They cannot be returned to the wild as they would not recognise
their own species and would be detrimental to the wild stocks of birds of prey.
We do not
encourage this practice at all.
3. Captive Bred birds who have become domesticated. They have
become imprinted and bred in captivity, should we ever be given these they
housed as naturally as possible and tend to live around the farm. Some of these will sit on
perches or in the trees and are not necessarily caged at all. These birds make excellent subjects for
photographers.
Below
are some useful tips to assist and conserve birds
If the bird is
NOT injured:
1.
Be certain the area is free
of any animal that can cause harm. Especially keep cats and dogs away from the
nest site.
2.
If you find a bird on the
ground, carefully return it to the nest. It is a myth that the parents won't
care for a baby once it has been touched by humans.
3.
If the original nest is
unsafe or destroyed, place the bird
sunlight. If you can't find a basket, use a margarine tub
(or similar), but be sure to punch drainage holes in the
bottom to prevent drowning.
4.
It is a good idea
to keep an eye on the baby bird from
a discreet distance. If the parents do not return in an hour,
contact us immediately in order that we maybe able to advice or assist.
If the bird IS
injured:
1. Prepare
a small cardboard box by punching ventilation holes in the sides and the top.
The container should preferably be just larger than the bird.
2. Gently,
place the bird on the towel and the box in a warm, dry, quiet area.
3.
Note the location where the bird was found along with any strange or suspicious
circumstances.
4. DO
NOT GIVE THE BIRD ANY
FOOD OR WATER!
5. CONTACT US IMMEDIATELY BY PHONE SO WE CAN MAKE ARRANGEMENTS TO ASSIST.
PLEASE NOTE
- An injured bird
requires IMMEDIATE specialized care. Any delay reduces the bird's chance for
recovery.
- Most
veterinarians do not have the time, special facilities, or the practical
experience to handle injured birds.
- Please do not
attempt to keep the bird in order to rear it. It is illegal to do so.
Our contact number is Tel
: 0832 686372
.JPG)
The Motlhose Trust is dedicated to conservation & education and does not
operate a visitor centre.
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