We invited Dr Hugh Hanmer from the British Trust for Ornithology down last weekend to ring some more of our Hospital patients that are almost ready for release. Jess is progressing well with her ringing training and is finding it very informative to be able to age and sex the birds using biometric details, rather than relying on a DNA test which is often used these days with captive birds.
Buzzard
Using a hood on wild birds helps to keep them calm
This Buzzard was left unsexed due to being in the middle of all the measurements required to sex Buzzards (there is a lot of overlap between males and females!) We think it’s a small female as the legs and feet were noticeably large compared to other recent Buteo patients.
Showing the size of feet compared with a finger
Kestrel
Beautiful young Kestrel being ringed before release
This young Kestrel was found waterlogged after recent storms. Finding no injuries, we were pleased that Hugh was able to ring it before it was returned to where it was found.
Sparrowhawk
The steely stare of a Sparrowhawk
Identified as a young female by her size (with females being much larger than males), this Sparrowhawk has shown good progress and is now feeding by herself and perching in our indoor aviary. She will be moved outdoors over the next day or two so we can assess her flight before relesase.
Sitting on her perch showing off her ring
Young Tawny
We’ve had a number of gingery Tawny Owls this year
A very late young Tawny Owl who came to use with a heavy parasite load. He was clearly struggling to thrive having gained independence from his parents, but with no injuries, he just needed some good food and rest for a few days.
Mushroomhead Tawny
Mushroom-head not looking impressed by being ringed
This Tawny Owl made a miraculous recovery after a severe head trauma. After a couple of weeks in our care, overnight the swelling went down and its vision returned. This individual was doing an interesting asymmterical moult, which allowed us to age it as a second year bird (hatched 2021)
These two Tawny Owls were placed in one of our large aviaries together after being ringed. This will give them both more space to build up fitness before release and we hope that the youngster might learn some survival skills from the older bird.
