September 2007

Medics try and help trapped pigeon

18.09.07 On a visit to a local Somerfield store, my attention was drawn to a young pigeon (squab / squeaker) that was trapped behind grilling which had been put in place to stop the birds from nesting. After discussions with the store manager Christopher Swan it was agreed that we should try and release the young pigeon which had no escape route as there were fears from an animal welfare point of view that it may die from starvation and or dehydration. After a few calls to numerous that evening,all proving negative by 10pm it was decided to leave things til morning when we had more time and light, although my fears were growing for the survival of the bird.

19.09.07 Following discussions from SSPCA, RSPB and Pest Control, it was advised that whoever put the grilling in place, was legally responsible for taking it down to free the birds from their entrapment. Again as this was proving difficult to ascertain who had put the grilling up, Medic Elaine Roft and Store Manager Christopher Swan agreed that any help from whoever meantime would be beneficial to the welfare of the bird. Rescue operations proceeded at 13.56hrs after help was sought by myself from Tayside Fire Brigade Unit (Montrose Department). The pigeon that I had observed, was retrieved from the location in which I had spotted it yesterday, sadly dead. Its entrapment area prevented it from being able to fly, spread its wings, or turn around. All it could do was shuffle backwards causing wing damage and hop up and down on the spot. Another batch of pigeons, also trapped were well out of reach (Estimated to be at least 3 of them by the attending fireman), so a hole was cut in the grilling to allow an escape route. Car Park attendant Dean confirmed that the adult birds had been using a long narrow slit behind the floodlights to gain access to the interior of the shelving. (This is obviously where they had decided to nest), resulting in the young squabs being trapped once the grilling had been secured in place, and being young, unable to fly from the entry point used by the adult birds. The squabs from what we had observed briefly, on one of them, the one I first noticed when alive appeared to be fully feathered, but its condition had not been determined.I can now confirm that this particular pigeon died from starvation. Somerfield staff are cooperating with the BDMLR Medics, by observing movement and sound coming from the youngsters and that of the adult birds to see if they feed the young. Observations are continuing with the Medics working in shifts, but for now we are satisfied that an escape route has been provided, also allowing another entry point for the adult birds and escape route for the squabs, as the store manager is reluctant to have the entire of the grilling removed as he said he had a duty to protect the public. WCLO'S Blair Wilkie and Ken Linton were at the scene last night and asked if the SSPCA could confirm if they were happy with the position as it now stands. A message was left by myself for Penny Johnston to call me on her arrival at work on Thursday morning as it was now gone 10.30pm.Her views will then be passed on to Officers Wilkie and Linton on their return to work after their holidays on Monday when they will advise the store manager of future barracading.

Sincere thanks to the following for all their help, first and foremost Tayside Fire Brigade Central Control Dundee & The Montrose Unit, in particular Garry.

Somerfiled Store Manager (Christopher Swan), Somerfield Car Park Attendant (Dean), BDMLR Montrose Medics Elaine Roft, Willie Taylor, Rab Quinn, Thom McNeil. BDMLR Galashiels Medic Karen Kirk (secretarial duties). Professional advice from SSPCA (Mhari), RSPB (England & Scotland), Blairgowrie Pest Control, BDMLR Head Office (Trevor Weeks), International Animal Rescue (Alan Knight), Shanwell Wildlife Rescue Trust, Tayside Police Central Control & WCLO'S Wilkie & Linton.

20.09.07 Both Penny Johnstone (SSPCA) & Trevor Weeks (BDMLR & IAR), both confirmed that now the birds had an exit point in addition to their original entry point, Under the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981, no crime has now been committed. HOWEVER, in future, if grilling is to be put in place to stop the birds from nesting, Then ALL entry points must be blocked off and inspection carried out thoroughly beforehand to ensure that there are no birds nesting at the time of boarding up. If boarding is placed whilst birds are nesting, thus allowing them no escape, then that justifies an offence. Officers Wilkie & Linton will be updated accordingly and this passed on to The Somerfield Store Manager Christopher Swan. Our thanks today to Penny Johnstone (SSPCA) and Trevor Weeks ( BDMLR & IAR) )

please see the following link for Wild Birds & The Law
http://www.rspb.org.uk/ourwork/policy/wildbirdslaw/birdsandlaw/index.asp

20.09.07 Medic Willie Taylor reported back today that there was no noise or squeaking coming from the area where the remaing squabs were. We can only assume, that the birds have either died or have found freedom through the grilling

Two Medics, a boat and a gull ?

On Saturday 8th & Sunday 9th September, Gary Bolton & I went to Blythe Park at Wilsthorpe to take our Power Boat Level 2 Course. We were blessed with good weather & it was great to be out on the water in a powerboat again. We were even visited by an inquisitive Common Seal who came to check out the boat! We spent two days being tested on man overboard drills, emergency stops & u-turns and once these were perfected we headed into Bridlington Harbour to practice manoeuvring in small spaces & other boat handling skills.

Whilst sitting in the Harbour I noticed a juvenile Herring Gull dive (I know I should have been paying more attention to my instructor!) When it returned to the surface it kept jerking its head in an unusual way. At first I thought it was just the way that the gull was feeding but after a minute I realised that there was something not quite right. I apologised to the instructor for interrupting him & asked if he minded if
we took the boat over to take a closer look. I took the driving seat & Gary got himself at the bow of the boat. Once we were along side the bird Gary scoped it out of the water & the true horror of what had happened was revealed. The gull had a fishing hook through its beak & wedged into its nostril which was, in turn, attached to a length of fishing line & yet another fishing hook was through the gulls webbing on its foot. Every time the gull pulled his head up its leg was jerked forward & every time it tried to push away with its leg its head was forced under the water! If only people realised the damage that litter can have in the marine environment! Gary held the bird still & I cut the fishing line. Next I got some pliers to cut the fishing hook & then carefully removed the hook the same way it went in to limit the damage. Both hooks removed we checked the bird over & were pleased to see that there were no visible signs of any trauma. Happy that the gull was fine we released it back into the water. After a quick swim round the boat it shook its head & swam off & we returned to our reversing assessment.

So the end of the weekend found 2 medics, tired but happy at being able to save a Herring Gull whilst passing their Power Boat 2 exam! Maybe a bird rescue could be an additional feature in the Powerboat
curriculum!

Tracy Guild
MMM Filey

Injured Common seal pup In Caithness

7th September

Last night Karina Gent received a call to say a common seal was sitting on a slipway at Gills and had been there for some time not moving. Also that the animal had some fairly bad facial injuries. Karina called me and I put the kit in the back of the car picking up Jim Thompson on the way to get Karina. I had phoned the vets to let them know that we where on the way to the animal and depending on its condition we may need to call them out or arrange a visit.

Within 40 minutes of the call we made it to Gills and spotted the seal on the slipway near the ferry office. It was a female common not very old around a meter in length weighing about 9kg. We took a look at the animal through binoculars and decided it was a definite pick up so got a black box out of the car and went to capture the seal.

As we where walking down to the seal Michael Salter arrived and said he had been watching it and that it really didn’t move at all. We put the seal in the black tub with no problems to do an examination, the animal had a bad wound to the eye whereby the eye was hanging loose and the socket was filled with puss. Another wound to the cheek that was showing bone, puncture marks all over its body and the left fore flipper was broken.

We had no option but to take the seal to the vets to be euthanized within 15mins we were with the vet and he put the poor animal out of its misery. He said the injuries looked like it had been attacked by an adult seal. A sad start to the winter season.

Richard Bradley Assitant Coordinator - Caithness

Common Seal Pup at Orkney

4th September

In the middle of painting windows today I received a call from a concerned party of tourists who had come across an extremely sick common seal pup.
The pup, weighing 14.5kgs, was discovered on the west side of South Ronaldsay at a beach known as Sandwick. By the time that I arrived they had managed to move the seal pup into a discarded fish box. The pup is in a very poor condition with many eruptions of pus throughout its body. Eyes are partly closed with swelling and very dehydrated. Started a course of fluid therapy and antibiotics. Fingers crossed that it survives without further complications.

Ross Flett - Orkney Seal Rescue and BDMLR

Seal Rescue, Spey Bay, Morayshire by Astrid Hackanson

28th August 2007

On the morning of the 28th of August a possibly injured seal pup on Spey Bay Beach was reported to the WDCS Wildlife Centre.

WDCS volunteers Laura Smith, Stephanie White and Astrid Hackanson set out to have a look at the animal. The little Pup turned out to be a Common Seal, with a very swollen right flipper which the animal seemed to try and avoid using. Apart from that the seal seemed to be in good condition.

WDCS staff decided to monitor the animal for the day to see if the mother would return or the situation with the flipper would improve during the day. Since Spey Bay beach can get busy with visitors in the summer season it was also important to inform people not to get too close to the seal and keep their dogs on a lead.

Towards late afternoon Linda Nicholson (BDMLR Inverness Assistant Co-ordinator) and Jamie Dyer (BDMLR Seal Hospital Manager & Scottish Coordinator) advised WDCS staff to collect the seal, as the flipper seemed to be quite badly injured. The pup was taken to the SSPCA Middlebank centre near Edinburgh where it is in the rehabilitation unit at the moment.

Thanks to everyone involved in the rescue.

Astrid Hackanson
BDMLR Medic & WDCS Volunteer

[click on images to enlarge]

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		September 2007 News
	Medics try and help trapped pigeon 18.09.07 On a visit to a local Somerfield store, my attention was drawn to a young pigeon (squab / squeaker) that was trapped behind grilling which had been put in place to stop the birds from nesting. After discussions with the store manager Christopher Swan it was agreed that we should try and release the young pigeon which had no escape route as there were fears from an animal welfare point of view that it may die from starvation and or dehydration. After a few calls to numerous that evening,all proving negative by 10pm it was decided to leave things til morning when we had more time and light, although my fears were growing for the survival of the bird. 19.09.07 Following discussions from SSPCA, RSPB and Pest Control, it was advised that whoever put the grilling in place, was legally responsible for taking it down to free the birds from their entrapment. Again as this was proving difficult to ascertain who had put the grilling up, Medic Elaine Roft and Store Manager Christopher Swan agreed that any help from whoever meantime would be beneficial to the welfare of the bird. Rescue operations proceeded at 13.56hrs after help was sought by myself from Tayside Fire Brigade Unit (Montrose Department). The pigeon that I had observed, was retrieved from the location in which I had spotted it yesterday, sadly dead. Its entrapment area prevented it from being able to fly, spread its wings, or turn around. All it could do was shuffle backwards causing wing damage and hop up and down on the spot. Another batch of pigeons, also trapped were well out of reach (Estimated to be at least 3 of them by the attending fireman), so a hole was cut in the grilling to allow an escape route. Car Park attendant Dean confirmed that the adult birds had been using a long narrow slit behind the floodlights to gain access to the interior of the shelving. (This is obviously where they had decided to nest), resulting in the young squabs being trapped once the grilling had been secured in place, and being young, unable to fly from the entry point used by the adult birds. The squabs from what we had observed briefly, on one of them, the one I first noticed when alive appeared to be fully feathered, but its condition had not been determined.I can now confirm that this particular pigeon died from starvation. Somerfield staff are cooperating with the BDMLR Medics, by observing movement and sound coming from the youngsters and that of the adult birds to see if they feed the young. Observations are continuing with the Medics working in shifts, but for now we are satisfied that an escape route has been provided, also allowing another entry point for the adult birds and escape route for the squabs, as the store manager is reluctant to have the entire of the grilling removed as he said he had a duty to protect the public. WCLO'S Blair Wilkie and Ken Linton were at the scene last night and asked if the SSPCA could confirm if they were happy with the position as it now stands. A message was left by myself for Penny Johnston to call me on her arrival at work on Thursday morning as it was now gone 10.30pm.Her views will then be passed on to Officers Wilkie and Linton on their return to work after their holidays on Monday when they will advise the store manager of future barracading. Sincere thanks to the following for all their help, first and foremost Tayside Fire Brigade Central Control Dundee & The Montrose Unit, in particular Garry. Somerfiled Store Manager (Christopher Swan), Somerfield Car Park Attendant (Dean), BDMLR Montrose Medics Elaine Roft, Willie Taylor, Rab Quinn, Thom McNeil. BDMLR Galashiels Medic Karen Kirk (secretarial duties). Professional advice from SSPCA (Mhari), RSPB (England & Scotland), Blairgowrie Pest Control, BDMLR Head Office (Trevor Weeks), International Animal Rescue (Alan Knight), Shanwell Wildlife Rescue Trust, Tayside Police Central Control & WCLO'S Wilkie & Linton. 20.09.07 Both Penny Johnstone (SSPCA) & Trevor Weeks (BDMLR & IAR), both confirmed that now the birds had an exit point in addition to their original entry point, Under the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981, no crime has now been committed. HOWEVER, in future, if grilling is to be put in place to stop the birds from nesting, Then ALL entry points must be blocked off and inspection carried out thoroughly beforehand to ensure that there are no birds nesting at the time of boarding up. If boarding is placed whilst birds are nesting, thus allowing them no escape, then that justifies an offence. Officers Wilkie & Linton will be updated accordingly and this passed on to The Somerfield Store Manager Christopher Swan. Our thanks today to Penny Johnstone (SSPCA) and Trevor Weeks ( BDMLR & IAR) ) please see the following link for Wild Birds & The Law http://www.rspb.org.uk/ourwork/policy/wildbirdslaw/birdsandlaw/index.asp 20.09.07 Medic Willie Taylor reported back today that there was no noise or squeaking coming from the area where the remaing squabs were. We can only assume, that the birds have either died or have found freedom through the grilling Two Medics, a boat and a gull ? On Saturday 8th & Sunday 9th September, Gary Bolton & I went to Blythe Park at Wilsthorpe to take our Power Boat Level 2 Course. We were blessed with good weather & it was great to be out on the water in a powerboat again. We were even visited by an inquisitive Common Seal who came to check out the boat! We spent two days being tested on man overboard drills, emergency stops & u-turns and once these were perfected we headed into Bridlington Harbour to practice manoeuvring in small spaces & other boat handling skills. Whilst sitting in the Harbour I noticed a juvenile Herring Gull dive (I know I should have been paying more attention to my instructor!) When it returned to the surface it kept jerking its head in an unusual way. At first I thought it was just the way that the gull was feeding but after a minute I realised that there was something not quite right. I apologised to the instructor for interrupting him & asked if he minded if we took the boat over to take a closer look. I took the driving seat & Gary got himself at the bow of the boat. Once we were along side the bird Gary scoped it out of the water & the true horror of what had happened was revealed. The gull had a fishing hook through its beak & wedged into its nostril which was, in turn, attached to a length of fishing line & yet another fishing hook was through the gulls webbing on its foot. Every time the gull pulled his head up its leg was jerked forward & every time it tried to push away with its leg its head was forced under the water! If only people realised the damage that litter can have in the marine environment! Gary held the bird still & I cut the fishing line. Next I got some pliers to cut the fishing hook & then carefully removed the hook the same way it went in to limit the damage. Both hooks removed we checked the bird over & were pleased to see that there were no visible signs of any trauma. Happy that the gull was fine we released it back into the water. After a quick swim round the boat it shook its head & swam off & we returned to our reversing assessment. So the end of the weekend found 2 medics, tired but happy at being able to save a Herring Gull whilst passing their Power Boat 2 exam! Maybe a bird rescue could be an additional feature in the Powerboat curriculum! Tracy Guild MMM Filey Injured Common seal pup In Caithness 7th September Last night Karina Gent received a call to say a common seal was sitting on a slipway at Gills and had been there for some time not moving. Also that the animal had some fairly bad facial injuries. Karina called me and I put the kit in the back of the car picking up Jim Thompson on the way to get Karina. I had phoned the vets to let them know that we where on the way to the animal and depending on its condition we may need to call them out or arrange a visit. Within 40 minutes of the call we made it to Gills and spotted the seal on the slipway near the ferry office. It was a female common not very old around a meter in length weighing about 9kg. We took a look at the animal through binoculars and decided it was a definite pick up so got a black box out of the car and went to capture the seal. As we where walking down to the seal Michael Salter arrived and said he had been watching it and that it really didn’t move at all. We put the seal in the black tub with no problems to do an examination, the animal had a bad wound to the eye whereby the eye was hanging loose and the socket was filled with puss. Another wound to the cheek that was showing bone, puncture marks all over its body and the left fore flipper was broken. We had no option but to take the seal to the vets to be euthanized within 15mins we were with the vet and he put the poor animal out of its misery. He said the injuries looked like it had been attacked by an adult seal. A sad start to the winter season. Richard Bradley Assitant Coordinator - Caithness Common Seal Pup at Orkney 4th September In the middle of painting windows today I received a call from a concerned party of tourists who had come across an extremely sick common seal pup. The pup, weighing 14.5kgs, was discovered on the west side of South Ronaldsay at a beach known as Sandwick. By the time that I arrived they had managed to move the seal pup into a discarded fish box. The pup is in a very poor condition with many eruptions of pus throughout its body. Eyes are partly closed with swelling and very dehydrated. Started a course of fluid therapy and antibiotics. Fingers crossed that it survives without further complications. Ross Flett - Orkney Seal Rescue and BDMLR Seal Rescue, Spey Bay, Morayshire by Astrid Hackanson 28th August 2007 On the morning of the 28th of August a possibly injured seal pup on Spey Bay Beach was reported to the WDCS Wildlife Centre. WDCS volunteers Laura Smith, Stephanie White and Astrid Hackanson set out to have a look at the animal. The little Pup turned out to be a Common Seal, with a very swollen right flipper which the animal seemed to try and avoid using. Apart from that the seal seemed to be in good condition. WDCS staff decided to monitor the animal for the day to see if the mother would return or the situation with the flipper would improve during the day. Since Spey Bay beach can get busy with visitors in the summer season it was also important to inform people not to get too close to the seal and keep their dogs on a lead. Towards late afternoon Linda Nicholson (BDMLR Inverness Assistant Co-ordinator) and Jamie Dyer (BDMLR Seal Hospital Manager & Scottish Coordinator) advised WDCS staff to collect the seal, as the flipper seemed to be quite badly injured. The pup was taken to the SSPCA Middlebank centre near Edinburgh where it is in the rehabilitation unit at the moment. Thanks to everyone involved in the rescue. Astrid Hackanson BDMLR Medic & WDCS Volunteer [click on images to enlarge]