At the end of November, we received a call from Marine and Wildlife Rescue , asking if we could take in a Short-eared Owl that they had picked up.
This unfortunate Owl was on its migration from further north (possibly Russia or Scandinavia), where the temperatures have already caused thick snow falls, when it was found entangled in the cables of a wind farm maintenance vessel, off the coast of Felixstowe.
The Owl appears to have tried landing on the cable, but got it’s wing stuck in the oil.
Upon arrival back on land, Dan from Marine and Wildlife Rescue, checked the bird and found no injuries but it was covered in oil from the rigging. When it arrived at our Raptor Hospital, our team carefully washed the affected wing and put the Owl into one of our isolation cages to monitor. There appeared to be no ill effects from its accident and on his regular visit, our specialist vet Dr Elliot Simpson gave the bird a clean bill of health.
Upon arrival, the Owl was not impressed at having to have a bath!
We were thankful to not have to keep it for much longer, as this bird was determined to continue it’s migration and clearly did not take to being held captive, even if for a short time for it’s own good.
We arranged for Dan to collect the Owl to release it on a Suffolk Wildlife Trust Reserve near the coast where it was hopefully heading before its accident. Prior to it being released, we were also able to ask Dr Hugh Hanmer from the British Trust for Ornithology to come and ring the bird. As Short-eared Owls are nomadic and actually go places, it was important to contribute towards the little data there is on them, in the hope that this Owl may be caught by another ringer elsewhere.
During the ringing process, Hugh was able to determine that this was an adult female, so we hope that she will return to her breeding grounds next year and raise more of these beautiful birds.
Before release, the Owl was ringed by a licenced ringer, in the hope that we may find out where it goes.