Sea birds

Only a day after her release the lesser black back gull Shelter staff named Lady Ga Ga was seen at Chouet and looking well.  The staff would like to thank Paul Veron for the picture and the update (Lady Ga Ga is the bird on the right).

If you missed Lady Ga Ga's story then read below -

On the 20^th April the Shelter had a call to collect a Gull near the Chouet Lanfill site.  ACO Geoff George attended to find the bird covered in some sort of pink building filler.  The poor bird had it all over its body and feathers.  She was in a field near the site with her wing stuck to her body and unable to fly. Geoff managed to catch her and she was brought to the Shelter for some immediate first aid.

An update on Adele the Grebe that came in covered in oil from Torey Canyon last month.

We are pleased to say she is doing well and the oil has now been removed.  We are caring for her until her water proofing returns before we release her to the wild.  Currently having physio on one of our pools she appears to be enjoying being back on the water.

To find out more details about Cupcake Week 25th - 31st March and raise money to care for birds like Adele

Only a day after the warning of rubbish and we have yet another injured bird this time a fishing hook injury.  The razorbill which we have named Bill survived last night after coming in and is doing well in one of our intensive care units with the hook removed we are hopeful that the wound will heal.

What you can do to help to help the animals of Guernsey

Protecting pets, farm animals and wildlife from harmful rubbish is straightforward – simply dispose of your waste responsibly. 

Last night we had yet another casualty from the Torrey Canyon.  We first received the call on Sunday but unable to get to contain the bird until last night the poor Great Crested Grebe has had to endure several nights covered in oil.

Yesterday Animal Collection Officer Geoff George managed to catch Adele as we’ve now named her and she will receive a number of bathes and hopefully some luck to survive before we can look to release her.

These birds are winter visitors to Guernsey and can be found in small numbers around our coast this time of year.

Every year the GSPCA rescue and rehabilitate sick and injured wildlife from discarded rubbish and litter.  This morning we had an adult Gannet brought in tangled in fishing line. Found by kind States workers in Petit Bot the bird would have certainly died if they hadn’t rescued it.

Currently being freed from its bonds this poor bird was tangled from head to toe. Gary as he’s been named once free will be checked over fed and we will ensure he is tip top before release and we are hopeful for a good recovery.

As the New Year came and the Wildlife Unit filling with animals nearly every day, the hot water demand has been at full tilt for cleaning the many cages and feed bowls.

The boilers in this building being over 20 years old decided that they could cope no more and failed in January leaving the staff boiling kettles whilst we tried to figure out what to do.

Last weekend the GSPCA and Guernsey were featured on BBC Countryfile.

If you missed the show you still have 5 weeks left to watch the programme on BBC Iplayer.  To watch it go to http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01bpqs4

The Shelter staff enjoyed working with the film crew and production team.  The GSPCA were very proud showing them the work we do for Guernsey’s wildlife and facilities we have.

Razy the razorbill after nearly 2 weeks of rehab is doing really well.  Now up on his feet, his wing on the mend and his waterproof oils coming back we are hoping it won’t be long until he will be able to be sent back into the wild.

Razy the Razorbill is doing well and on the mend. Nearly a week since he arrived he’s getting daily physio on one of our rehabilitation pools and we are hopeful he will be ready for release back to the wild soon.