You need hands...

From Easter until the last weekend in September, life at S.O.S. becomes hectic for falconers and their charges! Three flying demonstrations are the focus of our visitors' attention, but the shows have to be fitted in between the always busy schedule of cleaning aviaries, feeding birds and maintaining their fitness levels, engaging with school parties and most importantly receiving, assessing, treating and rehabilitating injured wild owls and other birds of prey in the raptor hospital.

As a charity, we manage this packed daily schedule on a precarious budget, substantially dependent on public donations. Consequently, we are indebted to our small army of volunteer helpers who work tirelessly (in all weathers!) to assist with all aspects of the falconers’ workload, rewarded only with the opportunity to get close to, handle and fly some of the sanctuary’s resident birds.

Volunteer Tom gets down to the nitty gritty - 
papering night boxes in the mews room

Some volunteers work with us for many years, having found a niche in which they feel fulfilled; happy to help, in close proximity to the birds that they feel so passionate about. Other individuals wish to just dip into the work of the sanctuary for a few months to experience something out of the ordinary and gain skills that would otherwise have remained outwith their ken.

Volunteers come from diverse backgrounds and all walks of life; students, nurses, policemen, service personnel, entrepreneurs, carers and their charges, full time grannies and those enjoying retirement. A wide variety of nationalities have also enriched the sanctuary’s cultural diversity over the years and we have received assistance from individuals from Spain, Italy, Sweden, Poland and the Netherlands.

At the end of a hard day’s work Tom winds down helping to exercise Cobweb the Barn
Owl and Taino the Ashy Faced Owl.
 

In this context, volunteers not only contribute practical help, experience and wisdom to the day to day running of the sanctuary, they also offer another perspective on life in general and our role in the wider context of local community and international conservation issues.

It is not only in the summer season that volunteers are so valuable to the management of the centre’s workload. During the winter months, when there are no demonstrations and the flying team rest and moult, the chores continue as the standard of care of the centre’s 80+ resident birds must still be upheld.

That the sanctuary could not run efficiently without the dedication of volunteers is an understatement.Through all seasons and in all weathers, our volunteers are crucial to the successful running of the sanctuary and the happy and healthy lives of the birds. From sweeping paths, to weighing birds, to clearing undergrowth - even to serving hot chocolate and mince pies during our annual Christmas event - all volunteers are priceless and we thank them all most sincerely for their help.

Anyone interested in offering their services in this capacity would be most welcome - especially if they have time to spare at weekends! The only criteria are that interested applicants be consistent in their attendance, willing to turn their hand to all tasks and have a sense of humour and love of a frequent hot beverage! Further details can be obtained from volunteer co-ordinator, Liz Boyd via the the admin. office on 0345 680 7897, by email to liz@owlbarn.co.uk or from the sanctuary’s reception desk.

We look forward to meeting you!

You need hands...

From Easter until the last weekend in September, life at S.O.S. becomes hectic for falconers and their charges! Three flying demonstrations are the focus of our visitors' attention, but the shows have to be fitted in between the always busy schedule of cleaning aviaries, feeding birds and maintaining their fitness levels, engaging with school parties and most importantly receiving, assessing, treating and rehabilitating injured wild owls and other birds of prey in the raptor hospital.

As a charity, we manage this packed daily schedule on a precarious budget, substantially dependent on public donations. Consequently, we are indebted to our small army of volunteer helpers who work tirelessly (in all weathers!) to assist with all aspects of the falconers’ workload, rewarded only with the opportunity to get close to, handle and fly some of the sanctuary’s resident birds.

Volunteer Tom gets down to the nitty gritty - papering night boxes in the mews room

Some volunteers work with us for many years, having found a niche in which they feel fulfilled; happy to help, in close proximity to the birds that they feel so passionate about. Other individuals wish to just dip into the work of the sanctuary for a few months to experience something out of the ordinary and gain skills that would otherwise have remained outwith their ken.

Volunteers come from diverse backgrounds and all walks of life; students, nurses, policemen, service personnel, entrepreneurs, carers and their charges, full time grannies and those enjoying retirement. A wide variety of nationalities have also enriched the sanctuary’s cultural diversity over the years and we have received assistance from individuals from Spain, Italy, Sweden, Poland and the Netherlands.

At the end of a hard day’s work Tom winds down helping to exercise Cobweb the Barn Owl and Taino the Ashy Faced Owl.

In this context, volunteers not only contribute practical help, experience and wisdom to the day to day running of the sanctuary, they also offer another perspective on life in general and our role in the wider context of local community and international conservation issues.

It is not only in the summer season that volunteers are so valuable to the management of the centre’s workload. During the winter months, when there are no demonstrations and the flying team rest and moult, the chores continue as the standard of care of the centre’s 80+ resident birds must still be upheld.

That the sanctuary could not run efficiently without the dedication of volunteers is an understatement. Through all seasons and in all weathers, our volunteers are crucial to the successful running of the sanctuary and the happy and healthy lives of the birds. From sweeping paths, to weighing birds, to clearing undergrowth - even to serving hot chocolate and mince pies during our annual Christmas event - all volunteers are priceless and we thank them all most sincerely for their help.

Anyone interested in offering their services in this capacity would be most welcome - especially if they have time to spare at weekends! The only criteria are that interested applicants be consistent in their attendance, willing to turn their hand to all tasks and have a sense of humour and love of a frequent hot beverage! Further details can be obtained from volunteer co-ordinator, Liz Boyd via the the admin. office on 0345 680 7897, by email to liz@owlbarn.co.uk or from the sanctuary’s reception desk.

We look forward to meeting you!

Thanks to Abi, Ant, Candy, Ellie, Grace, Hannah, Jan, Linda, Luke, Mick, Lynne, Sarah, Simon, Les Deux Steves & Tom - and all past volunteers - without whom S.O.S. wouldn't be quite the same today!

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A Lucky Buzzard!

The services of our Raptor Hospital are in constant demand as the weather improves and young wild owls and other birds of prey start to become active. Breeding is well under way throughout the wild bird population and that means more potential casualties on local roads, youngsters falling from trees and birds flying into windows!

A recent case, however, presented with a rather more unusual injury. About a month ago, a call was taken a from a member of the public who had come across a Common Buzzard lying in a secluded field. Alarmingly, the bird was not attempting to avoid human contact and appeared to have been immobile for some time.

On closer inspection, the gentleman realised that the buzzard was injured and bleeding from one wing. Having telephoned the sanctuary for advice, he was able to gently wrap the buzzard in a towel, place it in a box and bring it in to us.

The Buzzard is fast becoming a common sight in the skies once again

On arrival the buzzard appeared to have a reasonable body condition and had no injury other than the bloody wing. This was cleaned up and checked for signs of infection. This close inspection revealed that the buzzard had actually been shot, so an initial fear was that the wing bone may be shattered and not viable.

However, a consultation with the vet revealed just a series of small fractures, all in a part of the wing which could, indeed be bound. After 2 weeks in bandages in the quiet seclusion of the sanctuary’s rehabilitation aviaries, the dressing was removed and the wing found to be fully mended. Another week in the secure environment offered the buzzard an opportunity to rebuild strength and muscle in preparation for its return to the wild.

Remarkably, last week this VERY lucky buzzard was returned by it’s rescuer to the location from whence it came, having defied the very poor odds of a shot wing returning to viability.

It is hoped that injured Buzzards will not be seen too regularly in our hospital facilities

Having suffered a sharp decline in numbers during the early 20th. century due to pesticide poisoning and in the 1950s due to the spread of myxomatosis in rabbit populations, buzzard numbers have risen steadily over the last 20 years. They are now a becoming a common sight throughout the U.K. and we hope that this does not result in the buzzard being perceived as a threat to pheasant stocks and a renewed desire to reduce numbers by individuals.

The species is fully protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and it is illegal to kill, injure or take a buzzard or to take, damage or destroy an active nest or its contents. However, in July 2016, Natural England issued a licence available to landowners to shoot up to 10 buzzards “to prevent serious damage to pheasants”. It is hoped that such legislation will not result in an increase in injured wild buzzard numbers requiring the attention of our hospital facilities.

Our current  hospital treatment room and recovery spaces are somewhat cramped when dealing with such large birds and the necessity for expansion in this regard is now the main impetus behind our largest fundraising drive to date. We are hoping, with the help of our supportive visitors, grant aids and generous benefactors, to raise money over the next two years in order to build and equip a brand new Raptor Hospital, able to accommodate the whole spectrum of injured wild birds of prey requiring treatment and rehabilitation.

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A Tawny Owl with 3 Lives!

As regular readers will know, the doors of Suffolk Owl Sanctuary are open eight hours a day, seven days a week and 52 weeks of the year to receive injured wild owls and other birds of prey.

Every season of the year brings its own specific casualties from baby owls falling from nests in the Spring to mature birds suffering the privations of harsh weather in Winter. Interspersed with these anticipated casualties, are always a number of unpredictable cases!

One recent admission which took us by surprise was that of a Tawny Owl involved in a road traffic accident. Not a rare occurrence in itself, as the speed and huge volume of traffic on today’s roads can cause major problems for wildlife in general and birds in particular. Lightweight birds hunting close to grass verges can easily be sucked into the wake of passing cars and lorries, causing many to be struck a glancing blow and stunned.

This particular owl, however, had been hit once by a car and whilst lying in the road, driven over again, by a following vehicle.  Amazingly, the bird suffered no major internal injuries but was understandably stunned and dazed! 

On arrival at the raptor hospital, the patient was treated for shock and settled into a quiet, secluded rehabilitation aviary in order to regain it’s faculties and gather strength. After three days of good food, peaceful surroundings and protection from predators, the Tawny was ready to face the rigours of life in the wild once again. This extremely lucky owl was then successfully released back into the wild - well away from traffic - to, hopefully, live a long and productive life!

After a few days of recuperation, this VERY lucky Tawny Owl is returned to his home range.

It is estimated that a staggering 3,000 to 5,000 young Barn Owls are killed on Britain’s roads annually. Add to this many Tawny and Little Owl deaths and the magnitude of roadside owl fatalities  quickly becomes apparent. 

Young owls are more vulnerable to the potential risks of high speed vehicles, as they move farther afield than their mature parent birds to hunt.  The latter remain within their established home range and if this does not contain a major road, it is unlikely that they will come into contact with dangerous volumes of traffic. 

In some parts of the U.K., planting schemes have been introduced in an attempt to reduce numbers of bird fatalities. Tree screens have been planted on both sides of major roads, forcing low hunting owls to fly up high and over the top of traffic. Similarly, grass cutting schedules have been abandoned and grass verges have allowed to grow and develop into tall scrub areas, elevating the native bird population above the danger zone.

It may be pertinent to state here that whilst we would always encourage Good Samaritans to gather up road traffic casualties when possible, this should only be attempted in circumstances which are SAFE and LEGAL!

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We're wild about conservation!

Supporters of the Suffolk Owl Sanctuary may have noticed recent media coverage regarding a joint initiative by the Royal Horticultural Society and The Wildlife Trusts. Aptly named Wild About Gardens, the project aims to encourage members of the public to support wildlife in domestic gardens by thoughtful planting and the provision of appropriate habitat.

According to the project leaders the U.K. has around “…15 million gardens…put together they cover 667,000 acres - an area seven times the size of the Isle of Wight.”

Don’t burn old twigs and leaves on the bonfire - a huge variety of bugs and insects will take up residence if left undisturbed.

Plenty of space, then, to enable gardeners everywhere to set aside a little patch of wild terrain providing protection and food for the huge variety of birds, bees, insects and butterflies native to the U.K. Numbers of wild visitors can be increased to even the smallest balcony or border by planting nectar rich plants, by leaving old plants to rot down over the winter, by providing bundles of twigs and dead leaves for cover and by creating cosy holes and crevices in pieces of wood and under plant pots for bees and other over wintering creatures.

Plant wildflowers with single blooms offering easy access for nectar loving bees.

Here at the Sanctuary, within the pretty Woodland Walk every effort is made to establish food sources and habitat for a whole diversity of woodland visitors. A bug hotel offers luxury accommodation for beetles, lacewings, spiders, woodlice, earwigs etc., whilst ladybirds can enjoy the cover offered by “high rise” logs bored with holes hanging from the trees. Frogs, toads, newts and other marsh loving visitors can take refuge around the peripheries of the wild life pond - an ideal spot for laying frogspawn and for worms, centipedes and bugs that amphibians love to eat.

Frogs, newts and toads enjoy shaded, marshy areas at the edges of ponds offering cover from predators and an excellent supply of food.

Boxes are also situated within the woodland for wood mice as well as many varieties of garden bird and dead tree limbs and leaves are stacked into piles rather than burnt on a bonfire, creating hedgehog teepees and reptile refuges!

All of these small scale conservation ideas can be replicated in the garden, on the farm or at the allotment…..and if they are implemented throughout the 667,000 acres at our disposal, will make a major impact on the bee, bug, butterfly and bird populations countrywide.

Leave wild areas on the edge of the garden with sheltered cavities for hedgehogs and mice.

We hope that visitors will leave the sanctuary having not only enjoyed our wonderful birds and animals and pretty surroundings, but also having felt inspired to create habitat and increase food sources in support of all wildlife on their own patch at home.

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And now, a Word for our Sponsors

As you can imagine, running a charity purely on the basis of donations these days is no longer the simplest of tasks, but it has to be said that the unflinching generosity of corporate sponsors together with private donators and well-wishers makes things a lot easier than they could be in the current climate of unrelenting financial pressure.

The financial support of individuals is both much appreciated and thankfully admired, but as our collective grandmothers no doubt told us over and over, "Look after the pennies and the £'s will look after themselves". So, the Trustees of S.O.S. would also like to pay tribute to their loyal staff and trusty volunteers for foregoing many of life's luxuries - warmth, leaky office accommodation and a nearby toilet spring to mind - as they go about their daily duties without complaint and cognisant of our financial straits. Thanks, guys!! - without you, none of our endeavours in the sphere of the care and conservation of wild owls and other birds of prey would be possible. If there were medals given for frugality, you'd be the first in line.

But it's not always cash & hard graft that make our place tick: we have also benefitted from the materials and manpower provided on a free-of-charge basis by many local firms who have played a valuable part in keep us going. Over the years Andrews Sykes, B&Q, Barclays Bank, Bardon Concrete, Clarkes of Walsham, The Co-OP, Eastern Concrete, Freecycle, Jewson and Lafarge have all stepped into the breach with supplies and muscle-power to help with maintenance and general upkeep.

So now it's with pleasure that we add another - albeit slightly different - corporate sponsor to the roster - Birketts LLP. This highly successful local law firm have stepped in with the generous sponsorship of one of our latest arrivals, the Great Horned Owl hatched here just a few weeks ago, to help celebrate the firms 150 years in business. With offices in Ipswich, Norwich, Cambridge & Chelmsford, Birketts - who provide a full range of legal & financial services to businesses, institutions and individuals - will also be promoting the Sanctuary across the region through its many lines of communication to their customers and the public at large, helping us raise awareness about wildlife care & conservation interests of the Suffolk Owl Sanctuary. May we say thank you, and welcome!

First hatchlings!

Spring is always a busy and exciting time for us, not only as a result of the rise in admissions to the raptor hospital due the wild owl breeding season, but also because many of the captive birds residing at the centre are also producing progeny.

Several owls have been sitting on eggs for the last couple of weeks including the Malaysian Wood Owls, Spectacled Owls and Tawny Owls. First past the post this year - as has often been the case - were the Great Horned Owls, Huron and Pheonix who successfully hatched two owlets on 27th. March.

Huron and Pheonix the Great Horned Owls have become proud parents once again - here their two young owlets nestle in the incubator

The young have been removed from the nest, in order to protect them from the sharp talons of their parents and the newborns are safely accommodated in a cosy incubator within the falconers’ hut. From now on they will be fed every couple of hours, as would be the case in the wild - in this case, however, the falconers will quickly become recognised as their source of food, rather than their parent birds.

This familiarisation with humans from an early age will enable the team to handle the birds who will thus become amenable to training to the glove once the time comes. 

The sanctuary’s Great Horned Owls are a particular success story regarding egg laying and hatching. For the last 9 years they have consistently laid eggs and each year have produced a pair of young. Most of these offspring have been exchanged with other centres in the U.K. in order to increase captive bred stock and maintain a healthy gene pool.

However, one son, Birkett has remained at the centre and will be instantly recognisable to regular visitors as one of the showstoppers of the thrice daily flying displays. Great Horned Owls are magnificent birds and popular with photographers due to their striking plumage and mesmerising vivid orange eyes!

Visitor Helene Thomas entered this great photo of Birkett in our Photo Competition last year, highlighting his characteristic 'ear tufts' and vivid orange eyes.(Click here if you'd like to enter the 2017 Photo Competition)

Although tiny scraps when first hatched, like most owls, they grow rapidly on their protein rich diet and within a matter of a few months, this week’s newborns will be a perfect match for their older brother!

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One Flew Over the Chimney Stack

The steady flow of casualties brought to the Suffolk Owl Sanctuary Raptor Hospital is a constant one - with no respect for weather or seasons. Over the colder months, most cases have suffered injury from road traffic accidents, flights into windows, starvation, the effects of cold, wet weather conditions and also falls down chimneys.

The latter is not such a rare occurrence as one might expect at this time of year as old, wide chimney stacks seem to be particularly attractive places for potential owl nest sites. Only last Saturday, staff were called out last Saturday to a local residence where a Tawny Owl had suffered such a fall.

Generally, such rescue missions are quite straightforward affairs……the owl is detected by scratching and scrabbling noises, the householder investigates, extricates the owl and brings it to the sanctuary hospital for assessment, bathing and recuperation time, before being released back into the wild.

General Manager Maz on one of her three visits to rescue the trapped Tawny Owl

On this occasion, however, removing the owl from the chimney stack proved a little trickier - the chimney was a large inglenook into which a fire hood had been fitted to direct smoke up the chimney stack more efficiently. This caused an obstruction which the rescuing falconers had to penetrate, through a VERY tiny inspection hatch, in order to reach the owl.

Manager Maz Robinson visited the property three times with falconry staff member Liz and volunteer Steve to try to coax the terrified owl into an accessible position, whilst limiting the stress the bird was suffering as much as possible.

Eventually, on visit three, slender Steve was able to inch his way to the bird with a net, through the slim opening and gently bring it into Maz’s reach. Owl, falconers and house owners were all able to breathe a huge sigh of relief when the Tawny was safely boxed for transportation back to the hospital.

"Come out, come out where ever you are…" Maz prepares to release the rescued Tawny

A thorough assessment of the bird’s condition concluded that although the owl was very black and frightened, it appeared to be in good health. A couple of bubble baths later the bird emerged refreshed and looking like a Tawny Owl again. Food and quiet recuperation were the order of the day and by Monday morning, this tough little creature was ready for release back into the wild….well away from tempting chimneys!

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News from the dugout!

Throughout the winter months, whilst flying displays come to a temporary halt, the Suffolk Owl Sanctuary falconry team have been working hard to renovate and, where necessary, rebuild the birds’ accommodation.

A new buzzard block was completed this week, providing spacious new aviaries for the Red Kites as well as CaraCaras, Turkey Vulture and Ferruginous Buzzards. A huge amount of work has also gone into renovating the pretty Woodland Walk where fences have been replaced, undergrowth cleared and new paths established for easier access to the Red Squirrel enlosures for wheelchairs and buggies.

This week the multi tasking team turned their attention to some major landscaping in the flying ground environs. First, with a digger on site, a large new pond was dug and lined. Not only will this enhance the aesthetics of this flat grassed area, it will also provide a context in which Lincoln the Bald Eagle can exhibit more of his innate hunting behaviours.

All in a week's work - Matt & Pete began with the digger and just a few days later the team - aided by some great work from our volunteers - laid a sandy base in preparation for the pond lining to be added. As they say, "watch this space" - once it's filled, we'll add some pictures!

In the wild, fish forms the main proportion of an eagles’ diet - this is supplemented with small mammals, waterfowl and turtles. In captivity, Lincoln does not have access to fishing grounds, so it is hoped that he will utilise the new pond to display his fishing skills - albeit not with fish, but with poults that we will float in the pond.

Bald Eagles possess exceptional eyesight - about five times sharper than our own. Lincoln can spot a small mammal like a rabbit from a mile away, so he will have no problem focusing on food which the falconers will plant in the pond! To catch fish, eagles generally watch the water surface from a perch or whilst rising on warm thermals in the air - they are masters of soaring and in the wild a cover huge distances whilst hunting. When a target is spotted, they swoop down, dipping just their feet into the water and grabbing the fish. Eagles’ talons are razor sharp and curved - perfect implements for catching slippery fish. They close with a ratchet like effect around the prey, enabling the eagle to make off with it’s meal in a vicelike grip.

The impressive good looks - and razor-sharp talons - of Lincoln the Bald Eagle: not to be messed with!

Once the new pond is lined and filled, careful planting of marsh-loving plants and wildflowers around the periphery, whilst the meadow area behind the pond will be planted with apposite flower seeds and left wild, offering nectar and seeds for butterflies and birds. In this way we hope to enhance our visitors’ close experience of our magnificent birds whilst endeavouring to improve the conservation status of our environment.

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Vera Comes to Stay

Every year, the Suffolk Owl Sanctuary reviews its resident birds and considers the breadth of education and interest that they afford the visiting public.

On occasion, an opportunity will arise to include a new species with the collection which will add another dimension to the visitor experience. This may be a bird that will “couple up” with an existing resident in order to produce progeny and improve stock bloodlines or it may be an example of a bird whose status is such that it is of value to the conservation remit of the sanctuary.

Last October, we were contacted with news that a Hooded Vulture based at a raptor centre in Hampshire was available. The bird was 5 years old and had been coupled with a male vulture which had subsequently died. The centre in question decided against acquiring a new mate for the bird and abandoned their intention to breed from her.

Vera the Hooded Vulture surveys her new home from inside a spacious aviary

Our general manager, Maz, was quick to seize the opportunity to acquire this exciting bird, knowing that visitors would be keen to experience her at close quarters and that the current Critically Endangered status of the Hooded Vulture necessitated our involvement in the protection and possible breeding of this threatened species to help re-populate stocks.

Newcomer Vera duly arrived at the sanctuary last autumn and has settled quickly into her new accommodation. An instant hit with visitors, due to her iconic, bald vulture head and legs, Vera will not be taking part in flying displays, but our intention is to partner her with a new mate in the hope that breeding can begin. Hooded Vultures lay only one egg during their breeding season, so the successful rearing of a youngster would be a real achievement for the pair.

Vera illustrates the typical posture that gives the species it's name

We're hopeful that Vera’s arrival will help to raise the profile of these unique birds and that in the fullness of time, progeny raised at the sanctuary will contribute in some small way towards the recovery of the population from their steep decline of recent years.

The Hooded Vulture is a scavenger, feeding on carcasses of dead animals and rotting rubbish - it is not afraid of humans and in it’s native Africa, it will gather around sites of human habitation to feed on food waste. As a consequence, numbers have become decimated through poisoning and hunting as well as habitat loss and degradation of habitat. One of the smaller vultures, the Hooded Vulture is also one of the less powerful - it’s beak is relatively weak compared to a Gyps vulture and requires that food or flesh be well rotted before it can feed.

We hope that Vera will spend many years endearing herself to visitors and helping us to fulfil our commitment to the conservation of endangered species, both native and worldwide.

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Chimney Sweeps go Back To The Wild

Remember the pair the pair of Tawnies that had somehow managed to fall into the chimney breast and were discovered in a bedraggled state by the house owners?

After gathering the dazed birds up, several soapy baths and a large dollop of TLC by the staff at S.O.S., the recuperative process produced a handsome pair of mature Tawny Owls, we think most probably a breeding pair who had selected the sheltered chimney as an ideal spot for raising young this Spring.

Too quick for us! The released owls were too fast for the shutter speed of our camera!

We're pleased to report our sanctuary’s secluded rehabilitation facilities allowed for the most important element of any rescued wild bird’s treatment - that is, the time and security required to build strength and muscle tone to resume efficient hunting whilst  being fed regularly and protected from harsh weather conditions and predators.

On this occasion the pair Tawny Owls could not be released back from whence they came, as it was highly likely that they would return to the enticing chimney and suffer another fall. Instead, they were taken to a quiet wooded spot a few miles away, where they should find an abundant food supply and suitable habitat in which to settle in time to raise young this Spring.

This is a stock shot, but it shows how stunning the Tawny looks in flight!

The raptor hospital at the Suffolk Owl Sanctuary never turns an injured wild owl or other bird of prey away and is open every day from 10.00a.m. until 5.00p.m. We are indebted to the many members of the public who take the time to stop and assist compromised birds, often driving long distances to ensure that these beautiful and valuable creatures receive the treatment and support they need when conditions become difficult for them.

THANK YOU!

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Thinking out of the box

Did you know that this is National Nestbox Week?

The 14-21st February has been designated as the week when everyone should be encouraged to introduce a nestbox to their local area in order to "promote and enhance biodiversity and conservation of breeding birds and wildlife.”

The initiative was started by Jacobi Jayne & Co., nestbox manufacturers and suppliers of garden bird & wildlife foods and accessories, in partnership with the late Chris Mead of the British Trust for Ornithology. Over the last 19 years of its existence, it has become an established event in the ornithological calendar.

Any one can take part in this special activity week - either as an individual or with a group of friends, workmates or neighbours. By adding a new nestbox to their local area, participants can enjoy increased numbers and variety of garden birds and enjoy the thrill of observing the raising of young at close quarters.

As natural nest sites such as holes in trees and dense hedgerows are becoming increasingly sparse, bird populations are becoming more dependent on manmade alternatives. Further information and helpful tips for siting your nestbox and monitoring its inhabitants are available from the BTO website here. National Nestbox Week offers an ideal opportunity for individuals, families, farms and workplaces to take up the challenge to “Bang Up A Box” in support of the whole spectrum of wild bird species.

A nestbox will encourage birds into your garden or work site.

It is not only garden birds which are currently in need of support with nest sites: owls and other birds of prey are also victim to a sharp decline in natural spinneys and copses and plentiful barns and farm buildings.

The Suffolk Owl Sanctuary strives to reverse this trend in its immediate locality through the East Anglian Wild Owl Nestbox Scheme which is run in conjunction with the Thornham Nestbox Project. Funded by our supporters, dedicated volunteers Roger and Kevin have been running this initiative for several years and now monitor and maintain around 300 nestboxes within the county. They hold the necessary Disturbance Licence to approach boxes and to handle the inhabitants in order to measure, weigh and ring progeny.

Roger sets about ringing one of the tenants of a box from our Wild Owl Nestbox Scheme

Those interested in having a nestbox located on their land can contact the pair to receive free advice on the habitat required, a site assessment, the supply and erection of a nestbox on a suitable site and an annual audit of activity therein. Not all sites are conducive to a box for wild owls and other birds of prey: surrounding habitat must offer a good quantity and diversity of habitat for important food sources such as mice, voles and shrews. For example, in order for a pair of Barn Owls to thrive and breed successfully, they need around 120 acres of permanent rough grassland over which to hunt!

S.O.S. are working hard to maximise breeding sites within Suffolk for the protection and conservation of wild owls and other birds of prey. For additional information on native wild owls, building nestboxes, creating habitat in support of the wild owl population, assisting injured owls and the law pertaining to owls, please request a copy of our free booklet, “Saving Britain’s Owls” by ‘phoning 0345 680 7897, emailing info@owlbarn.co.uk or downloading a copy via this link

To discuss the siting and maintenance of a wild owl nestbox within Suffolk, please contact Suffolk Owl Sanctuary using the details above.

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An Inspector Calls...

In order to ensure that high standards of avian care and environment are being upheld at Suffolk Owl Sanctuary, we set great store by the regular checks made every year by our local vet in addition to the meetings held by the Trustees of the charity to discuss the activities & progress of the organisation, who also attend the periodic ethical meetings held by vet, management and staff.  

However, every six years the S.O.S. is subject to a thorough independent inspection held by the local council led by a veterinary from DEFRA (Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs). The purpose of this inspection is to ascertain whether the Sanctuary can be granted a renewal of its Zoo Licence: in England, any establishment owning an animal collection which is open to the public for more than eight days per year must hold such a certificate. Without it, S.O.S. would not be able to function as an educational facility with the public enjoying access to its extensive collection of owls and other birds of prey.

Certain criteria must be met by the Sanctuary in order for a licence renewal to be granted. Those criteria are to provide appropriate habitat for the birds & animals kept, to provide a high standard of animal care, to have measures in place to prevent animals escaping and to educate the visiting public about diversity of species.

All our birds are kept in aviaries purpose designed to suit
the requirements of their species type.

The results of the zoo inspection provide valuable feedback to the falconry team and a benchmark for the quality of the facilities provided. Future developments of all aspects of the sanctuary’s work can then be measured against this yardstick in order that standards are upheld.

During the inspection, every element of the centre's function is assessed, from animal enrichment activity to hospital drugs policy and from feed room protocol to the quality of animal accommodation. Adherence to Health & Safety and Safeguarding policies together with the safety of the public are also carefully considered.

General Manager Maz spends a great deal of her time looking after the paperwork!

Inspectors seek evidence of excellent standards of animal husbandry by studying both the physical and psychological wellbeing of all birds and other animals: are they alert, clean, well fed and of good condition? The environment in which birds and animals are housed is also assessed: is accommodation weatherproof, spacious, secure, clean, hygienic and providing a natural habitat?

The designated raptor hospital for the treatment of injured wild birds of prey is also scrutinised: are birds assessed and treated quickly with appropriate and efficacious drugs? Are biosecurity measures in place to prevent cross contamination of captive stock? Are rehabilitation facilities quiet, secluded, dry and clean?

Not only must inspectors be able to see physical evidence of the high specification of care, but they must also witness exemplary written & recorded evidence of procedures. Accurate record keeping is the cornerstone of the efficient management of the centre and as such plays a vital role in the zoo inspection. On a daily basis, every member of the falconry team is responsible for recording the weights of the birds, their dietary requirements, their physical health, the condition of their accommodation and their performance.

On taking delivery of wild injured birds into the hospital, a trail must be in evidence for each bird showing the details of it’s rescuer, the location and circumstances of its rescue, assessment, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation and date & location of it’s release back to the wild. Every captive bred bird that arrives at the centre and those that have been bred here, must also be ringed and have an article 10 certificate of registration from DEFRA identifying it’s source, breeder, ancestry and any movement in or out of the centre as appropriate.

The daily feed charts record the weight of, and nutrition given to, each bird

As one of the recognised authorities on avian care in the contexts of rescue, rehabilitation, conservation and education, S.O.S. welcomes every opportunity to present its model of exemplary care to the inspectors in particular and to the public on a daily basis. 

We are happy to report that after a zoo inspection lasting several hours, S.O.S. was complimented on its high standards of bird husbandry, accommodation and habitat. Our designated raptor hospital was described as “outstanding” by the inspection team and rehabilitation facilities were admirable. Record keeping is one area in which our team plans to initiate positive change, as in this technological age, the inspectors prefer to see digitised records rather than the paperwork we assiduously collate, and this requirement will be addressed within the coming weeks.

As a result we are confident that visitors can continue to enjoy our facilities safe in the knowledge that, even "behind the scenes”, standards of the highest standards pertain. This in greatest part due to the team of hardworking & dedicated staff we have working here at S.O.S. - thanks, guys! And finally, however, we never forget that it's thanks to you, our many supporters, that we are able to ensure we can meet the expectations of both the authorities, and our avian charges.

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Double Trouble!

As our supporters will know, S.O.S. is the port of call for members of the public who have encountered a variety of injured wild birds of prey.

During the milder breeding season, many of the casualties are young owls which have fallen from their perch whilst learning to fly. During the winter months, however, the patients usually consist of road traffic accidents caused by birds hunting too close to roads, starvation cases when food sources are compromised, birds which have flown into the windows of houses and, occasionally, chimney falls.

Last week we received from a local couple who heard movement in their (unused!) log burner. Having heard scratching and noticed soot falling for a few days, they decided to contact a chimney sweep to investigate further.

The first job was to clean the poor creatures of all the soot & grime

They were shocked to discover that not one, but two Tawny Owls had taken a tumble down into the grate. A mating pair, it seems likely that the owls had chosen the old, wide chimney as a perfect winter roost, little realising that the bottom was a LONG way down!

The house owners rang S.O.S. for advice on the careful handling and boxing of the dazed pair to facilitate their transportation to our raptor hospital for assessment. On arrival, a thorough health check revealed that the forlorn pair of Tawnies were…..BLACK!…and thin, having been trapped in the chimney for several days. Apart from these very treatable conditions, however, they seemed non the worse for their ordeal.

Maz gently gave one of the rescued Tawnies some reviving sustenance through a crop tube

Maz & Jess quickly got to work with suds and water and after several baths, two handsome looking owls emerged. Both were initially fed by crop tube to ensure that they received immediate sustenance and after all the commotion had died down and a few hours of peace and quiet had passed, they were looking much calmer and brighter.

The tawnies are now eating well and enjoying some time in one of our rehabilitation aviaries, where they can gain strength and build muscle tone without fear of predation.

Ah, that's better! The pair are now well on their way to full recovery and will soon be released to a safe and secure spot well away from chimneys!

Unusually, the pair will not be returned to the location where they were discovered when the time comes for their release back into the wild - breeding pairs will often return immediately to the roost that they thought so ideal for raising young, so on this occasion, a safe secure habitat will be found for them well away from inviting chimneys!

We are extremely grateful to the owl rescuers for their diligence in determining the source of the strange noises they heard in their chimney! Had they ignored the ghostly scrapings and lit their fire, the outcome would not have been a happy one for this lucky pair!

S.O.S. Blog by Catherine

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Something's stirring down in the Woodland Walk!

Once flying demonstrations have finished at the end of September each year, we at S.O.S. have the opportunity to address the “wear and tear” that the site has suffered over the hectic summer season and attention can be turned to the many essential maintenance tasks and new building projects necessary for the improvement of the site.

Over the first few weeks of the new year, the Woodland Walk has been the focus of much attention. Always a “heavy traffic” area of the sanctuary, due to it’s accommodation of the red squirrel colony, wildlife ponds, bug hotel and ladybird houses this pretty woodland area needs woodchip paths replenished, path borders reinstated, weed growth cleared and trees pruned back every winter. In addition the area has been seeded with a plethora of wild flower species which we hope will enhance the area.

WILDLIFE PONDS

Before and after: a year is a long time in nature, which means that the annual refurbishment of the frog pond illustrates the benefit of a good 'Spring Clean'! New barriers have been erected for visitor safety.

The wildlife ponds have also seen some renovation, with clearance of weed, thinning of aquatic plant growth and new wooden safety barriers. Such measures not only improve the appearance of the ponds and the health of the plants, they also encourage frogs, toads and newts and consequently their counterparts in the food chain. We are also making plans to set up our "Bees, Bugs & Butterflies" focal point in the Woodland Walk in an endeavour to illustrate what can be done to encourage these threatened insect species so much in the news these days.

BEES, BUGS & BUTTERFLIES

The S.O.S. Woodland Walk has been re-seeded with wild flowers to refresh the area with some all-year-round colour

SCOTTISH WILDCATS

Further sensitive clearance will take place around the secluded breeding aviaries at the back of the Woodland Walk in order to prepare a space for what we plan to become an enclosure for 2017’s anticipated newcomers - Scottish Wildcats! We see the Woodland Walk as being the ideal place to set up a small colony of these rare animals. Like our Red Squirrel initiative, as a result we hope to contribute pure bloodlines to a project which is sublimating stocks for which the primary threat has been cross-mating with feral domestic cats.

There are thought to be only 100 of these incredibly tough super-predators, capable of surviving Scotland's harshest winters, now at large in the wild. The spacious, naturalistic habitat that we plan to create for these fascinating creatures will allow wheelchair-friendly visibility for visitors, whilst retaining essential cover for the animals. For more information about Scottish Wildcats, their plight and the conservation scheme set up to protect their future, please visit http://www.scottishwildcats.co.uk/

MEERKAT CASTLE

Additionally, our team have worked hard to improve access to the popular Meerkat Kastle visitors in buggies and wheelchairs. This development will be the building of a raised viewing area along one side of the animals’ enclosure to improve visibility of the meerkat feeding sessions.

Meekat Kastle is benefitting from some attention as we improve access and sight lines for those in wheelchairs and buggies

Over the past month the team have removed a number of rotten trees and cleared undergrowth in order to create a new, wide, level path giving direct access to the meerkats from the entrance of the Woodland Walk. The gradient and surface of this area will be carefully calculated in order to also minimise any difficulties with turning and balance for all visitors. A new picket fence has replaced the old solid shiplap boundary of the enclosure, also aiding overall ease of movement.

We trust that visitors will enjoy many memorable hours in this newly renovated conservation area.

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When Nature Threatens

Although our daily flying displays do not take place in winter when our flying team are generally in moult, it is usual for visitors to be able to watch a selection of birds flying free in daily exercise sessions with the falconers.

Unfortunately recent visitors have not been able to enjoy that pleasure, as we are currently subject to nationwide Restriction Order put in place by the Government due to spasmodic cases of Avian Flu being discovered in the UK. The disease affects many species of birds including chickens, ducks, turkeys and geese and can be passed between wild and captive birds.

There are many strains of avian ‘flu, most of which do not transmit to humans - indeed no humans have been infected in the U.K. to date. The current strain is an infectious type of influenza which can be spread throughout the native wild bird population by infected migratory birds. Infection is spread from bird to bird by direct contact or through contaminated body fluids and faeces.

As a result of the outbreak, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) issued guidelines back in December on bird flying protocol to minimise the threat to the health of captive birds, which we are actively employing. This means we have put biosecurity measures in place with disinfectant foot baths at key points such as site entrances and entrances to bird houses, and have taken precautions to avoid the transfer of contamination between premises, vehicles and equipment.

In addition we thoroughly disinfect our bird accommodation, wash our clothes after contact with birds, and have sought to minimise direct contact between captive and wild birds - for instance the results of the faeces of wild birds flying over the centre dropping into mesh-topped aviaries - by where possible keeping our birds housed.

Special care is taken when dealing with the injured wild owls and other birds of prey brought into our Raptor Hospital. Their route into the centre is kept entirely separate, they are isolated in the hospital and we are using disposable plastic gloves and aprons on each occasion we handle or feed the birds. When in the opinion of the vet an injured or very sick bird has no expectant quality of life it is humanely euthanised by the vet and a post mortem conducted to clarify that cause of death was not as a result of Avian Flu.

Standby for take-off - Taino starts his fist-jumping exercise
from a perch on the other side of our mews room

The take-off and effort to reach the fist - especially in closed
quarters - helps builds up Taino's strength & stamina in preparation for the flying display season ahead

The beautiful Ashy-Faced Owl arrives safely at his destination - the gloved fist of Emily, one of our young volunteers

Of course, the physical and psychological health of the Sanctuary's demonstration birds is of paramount importance and they still need to be exercised, as the team would normally be starting their training regime in preparation for the display season ahead at this time. To achieve this we take every opportunity to conduct daily “fist jumping” sessions with our large mews room as an effective means of building muscle and maintaining fitness levels, jump from perches or vertically from the ground to the falconer’s glove, which helps to increase the stamina and technique they will need when flying free again.

In spite of the restrictions we are operating under at the moment, visitors can still enjoy all of the sanctuary’s birds within their spacious, naturalistic aviaries and falconers are always on hand to answer questions and inform. The restrictions are currently in place until 28th. February and providing no new cases of avian ‘flu are identified within that timescale, normal service should be resumed at the beginning of March!

Meanwhile we apologise for any inconvenience these temporary measures may cause to our supporters and visitors, but trust all will appreciate that they have been introduced in order to protect the health of both birds and visitors. Thank you for your patience and understanding at this challenging time.

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Support That Builds Society

At the Suffolk Owl Sanctuary we are lucky enough to receive continued support in many forms from diverse sections of the community.

The whole spectrum of such assistance ranges from one-off donations from members of the public, through participation in our Adopt-an-Owl and Wild Owl Nestbox schemes, to whole school fundraising activities and legacies in memoriam.

Each and every penny donated to the sanctuary, by whatever means, is very much appreciated and is absolutely essential in order to secure future facilities for the rescue, treatment and rehabilitation of injured wild birds of prey, to develop outreach opportunities in local schools and colleges, to maintain and expand our nestbox scheme and to further engage with a wider audience in the context of wildlife conservation.

The season of goodwill got off to a flying start this week with an extremely generous donation from the Norwich and Peterborough Building Society in Diss, Norfolk.

Pip, Titch, Liz & Maz thank the Norwich and Peterborough staff from the Diss branch for their wonderful donation.

As part of the Yorkshire Building Society group, the Norwich and Peterborough are understandably proud of their hugely successful fundraising and volunteering campaigns on behalf of deserving charities throughout the country.

Indeed, the 2016 Third Sector Business Charity Awards saw the YBS group named Business of the Year as well as winning the Employee Engagement Initiative of the Year title for its colleague volunteering programme.

This award scheme recognises the outstanding contribution many U.K. businesses make to good causes and the YBS group was selected by judges as the best example of a business that has “excelled in helping the wider community by embedding a culture of supporting charitable causes at all levels.” Their impressive record of charity work includes the donation of 11,800 hours of volunteer time during 2015, with the involvement of 35% of employees.

The group’s Charitable Foundation, of which the owl sanctuary has become a beneficiary, is an independent registered charity, predominantly funded by members who donate annual pence of interest from their savings or mortgage accounts. The average donation is less than 50p. per year, but together their small change adds up to "sums which can make a real difference to the lives of others in our communities.

”Since its first donation in 1999, the Charitable Foundation has donated over £6million to charities and good causes and the Suffolk Owl Sanctuary was fortunate enough to be nominated for assistance by a staff member of the Diss branch.

General Manager Maz Robinson and falconer Liz Boyd were invited into the building society today accompanied by Pip the Barn Owl and Titch the Tawny Owl  to receive a cheque for 100.00 to assist with the ever increasing running costs of the sanctuary's raptor hospital.

We would like to thank the inspirational Norwich and Peterborough staff and their very generous customers for this extremely helpful donation and hope that many of them will take the opportunity to visit the sanctuary soon to witness firsthand  the difference their contribution has made.

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Support That Builds Society

At the Suffolk Owl Sanctuary we are lucky enough to receive continued support in many forms from diverse sections of the community.

The whole spectrum of such assistance ranges from one-off donations from members of the public, through participation in our Adopt-an-Owl and Wild Owl Nestbox schemes, to whole school fundraising activities and legacies in memoriam.

Each and every penny donated to the sanctuary, by whatever means, is very much appreciated and is absolutely essential in order to secure future facilities for the rescue, treatment and rehabilitation of injured wild birds of prey, to develop outreach opportunities in local schools and colleges, to maintain and expand our nestbox scheme and to further engage with a wider audience in the context of wildlife conservation.

The season of goodwill got off to a flying start this week with an extremely generous donation from the Norwich and Peterborough Building Society in Diss, Norfolk.

Pip, Titch, Liz & Maz thank the
Norwich and Peterborough staff from the
Diss branch for their wonderful donation.

As part of the Yorkshire Building Society group, the Norwich and Peterborough are understandably proud of their hugely successful fundraising and volunteering campaigns on behalf of deserving charities throughout the country.

Indeed, the 2016 Third Sector Business Charity Awards saw the YBS group named Business of the Year as well as winning the Employee Engagement Initiative of the Year title for its colleague volunteering programme.

This award scheme recognises the outstanding contribution many U.K. businesses make to good causes and the YBS group was selected by judges as the best example of a business that has “excelled in helping the wider community by embedding a culture of supporting charitable causes at all levels.” Their impressive record of charity work includes the donation of 11,800 hours of volunteer time during 2015, with the involvement of 35% of employees.

The group’s Charitable Foundation, of which the owl sanctuary has become a beneficiary, is an independent registered charity, predominantly funded by members who donate annual pence of interest from their savings or mortgage accounts. The average donation is less than 50p. per year, but together their small change adds up to "sums which can make a real difference to the lives of others in our communities.”

Since its first donation in 1999, the Charitable Foundation has donated over £6million to charities and good causes and the Suffolk Owl Sanctuary was fortunate enough to be nominated for assistance by a staff member of the Diss branch.

General Manager Maz Robinson and falconer Liz Boyd were invited into the building society today accompanied by Pip the Barn Owl and Titch the Tawny Owl  to receive a cheque for 100.00 to assist with the ever increasing running costs of the sanctuary's raptor hospital.

We would like to thank the inspirational Norwich and Peterborough staff and their very generous customers for this extremely helpful donation and hope that many of them will take the opportunity to visit the sanctuary soon to witness firsthandthe difference their contribution has made.

Christmas comes but once a year!

We held our 'Christmas With The Owls' fundraiser this weekend, which was a great success. Over 500 families visited the Sanctuary over the last two days to visit Father Christmas in his marvellously decorated grotto, whilst Holly Owl and her Woodland Friends provided fun, games and selfies for all the youngsters - our falconer have never looked so smart as they did dressed up as rabbits, squirrels, hedgehogs, owls and bees!  Our reception staff did a sterling job as Santa's elves welcoming people to the centre and showing them round.  Meanwhile our avian residents looked suitably bemused by all the goings-on and the meerkats - as usual - relished all the attention they could get.

The Sooty Show!

The Suffolk Owl Sanctuary’s designated raptor hospital is busy at every season of the year, particularly during the Spring, when young, inexperienced owls and other birds of prey are finding their feet and testing their flying skills.

During the autumn and winter months casualties usually present with injuries sustained from road traffic accidents or as victims of the colder weather which equates with depleted food supplies and loss of condition.

Earlier this month, a rather unusual case was brought to the hospital facilities by members of the public who had rescued the bird - a Little Owl - from their (dormant!!) wood burning stove. The couple had been aware of a scratching presence for a day or two and had presumed this was the sound of a bird making a nest on top of their chimney. Louder, more persistent disturbance alerted them to the fact that the mystery presence had travelled down the chimney, coming to rest within the back of the stove!

By now exhausted, the Little Owl was easily extracted from the stove, popped into a covered box in order to alleviate stress as much as possible and then transported to us. “Sooty” arrived at the hospital looking slightly thin, VERY black, but (amazingly) otherwise unharmed.

A bewildered Sooty arrives at the
Suffolk Owl Sanctuary hospital facilities!

His first port of call was the hospital bath! Soot and water form a sticky substance which is not easy to extricate from plumage, but with gentle teasing, the dedicated hospital staff were able to coax a little of the glutinous substance out of Sooty’s feathers.

Bath time begins

It quickly became apparent that there was no quick fix for the problem and that the washing process would have to be repeated several times in order for Sooty to regain his natural colouring. After five gentle, painstaking bathing sessions, a Little Owl emerged from the blackness and Sooty was thence on the road to recovery and rehabilitation.

… but "I hope that’s the LAST bath I’ll need!"

Starting to feel better already!

Having been “out of action" for a week or two whilst being cleaned, Sooty then spent a couple of weeks in our rehabilitation aviaries in order to build up body condition and strengthen his flight muscles. On 4th. December his rescuers will return to the sanctuary to collect him for release back into his familiar habitat.

I AM a Little Owl!!

Since the recent downturn in temperatures, this may be a pertinent time to suggest extra vigilance (and chimney sweeping) before striking up the stove again!