Working closely with local vets, Hill Top BoP has aided in the rescue and rehabilitation of many wild disabled birds. The majority of which we are glad to announce, return healthy and happy to a suitable environment, after appropriate care from experienced hands.

 

Below are some examples of success stories, and some of the birds we have helped.

 

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Case One.

 Female Tawny Owl (Strix aluco)

'Ruby'

 This Tawny Owl was given to us by a local vet in a very poorly state. Ruby was found by a motorway, and was diagnosed with poisoning. She must have eaten a wild mouse, that had been victim of a poison based trap. We administered a course of Vitamin K, to reduce the effects of the poison. She was understandably very uneasy around humans. To keep her healthy, we managed to find suitable food, that she would recognise, (and find on her own so as to not get too attached to people). She quickly recovered and was released back into the wild, close to where she had been picked up.

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Case Two.

 Male Tawny Owl (Strix aluco)

 'Twix'

 Twix was given to us with a broken wing and was very weak. Unable to stand, for weeks he appeared on the very brink of death. Fortunately with thanks to the efforts of an experienced vet nurse, and after about four weeks of necessary hand feeding, we were able to get him to stand and start eating for himself. Now due to the severity of his injuries, he spends his days happily with us, getting regular food and free from danger. He is a valued member of our display team.

-For those of you wondering about the legislation, Twix has been micro chipped, and properly licensed with an 'Article 10' form provided by DEFRA and CITES-

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 Case Three.

 Male Sparrow hawk (Accipter nisus)

 'Mistletoe Kiss'

 This down trodden little guy was given to us on the 22nd December last year. Since all the birds in our collection are named after confectionery, we thought of the most Holiday based sweet around. When he arrived on our doorstep he had been diagnosed with a broken wing in two areas, and so required urgent care to survive. This one is not so much a success story, but a hope for success. Currently he is as healthy as possible and awaiting his final X-Ray, following this, we hope to release him back into the wild.

-UPDATE-

Following his X-Ray Mistletoe has been checked over and his wing appears mostly healed, however his accident has left him missing some very vital (primary) feathers, so he remains with us for the time being.

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 All members involved in the rehabilitation and release are qualified, in the appropriate areas, have extensive experience in raptor care, and conservation techniques. Any medical attention is provided and observed by experienced veterinary surgeons, and nurses. If a predatory bird is found, please contact a vet and or raptor specialist before acting. Any legal issues are understood and checked by HillTop BoP with the authorities concerned with wild animal care.