Title: Lost puffin found at Winchester hospital sex clinic
Post by: Donna on 02-Dec-11, 06:33:29 PM
A puffin has been found at a sexual health clinic in Hampshire after it was thought to have been blown off course from its winter migration.
The male juvenile bird was found cowering in a basement building at Winchester's Royal Hampshire County Hospital on Wednesday.
RSPCA staff picked up the puffin and transferred the bird to the Hart Wildlife Rescue centre near Alton.
Staff described the puffin as being "very hungry and exhausted".
'More feisty'
Hart Wildlife Rescue's Charmian Greenland-Jones said they were "full to bursting point" but managed to find room for the seabird. It is the first time they have looked after a puffin.
"We've been feeding him on fish we had in for a herring gull that was being treated here recently and he is now much more feisty."
She said it was thought he had become separated from other puffins flying south from coastal areas of northern Britain to the Bay of Biscay.
It is hoped the creature will be transferred to the South Devon Seabird Trust in Teignmouth.
The Sea Bird Trust's Jean Bradford said: "If all is well he may be released next month, if the weather is calm, or kept until March when he can rejoin his fellow puffins on their way back to the breeding colonies."
The puffin was found at the bottom of a flight of steps
BBC News and Kris G...thanks
The male juvenile bird was found cowering in a basement building at Winchester's Royal Hampshire County Hospital on Wednesday.
RSPCA staff picked up the puffin and transferred the bird to the Hart Wildlife Rescue centre near Alton.
Staff described the puffin as being "very hungry and exhausted".
'More feisty'
Hart Wildlife Rescue's Charmian Greenland-Jones said they were "full to bursting point" but managed to find room for the seabird. It is the first time they have looked after a puffin.
"We've been feeding him on fish we had in for a herring gull that was being treated here recently and he is now much more feisty."
She said it was thought he had become separated from other puffins flying south from coastal areas of northern Britain to the Bay of Biscay.
It is hoped the creature will be transferred to the South Devon Seabird Trust in Teignmouth.
The Sea Bird Trust's Jean Bradford said: "If all is well he may be released next month, if the weather is calm, or kept until March when he can rejoin his fellow puffins on their way back to the breeding colonies."
The puffin was found at the bottom of a flight of stepsBBC News and Kris G...thanks
Title: Re: Lost puffin found at Winchester hospital sex clinic
Post by: Carol P. on 02-Dec-11, 06:48:16 PM
I LOVE Puffins! Poor little guy. Hope they are able to help him get back to where he belongs. :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Lost puffin found at Winchester hospital sex clinic
Post by: jeanne on 02-Dec-11, 07:53:39 PM
Awwww! So glad he was rescued and feeling better! He's so handsome!
Title: Re: Lost puffin found at Winchester hospital sex clinic
Post by: Kris G. on 03-Dec-11, 01:19:06 PM
A lost puffin found at a sexual health clinic in Winchester has died.
The male juvenile was found four days ago at Winchester's Royal Hampshire County Hospital cowering at the bottom of a flight of steps.
Jackie Grey of Hart Wildlife Rescue centre said: "Everyone is naturally very upset as he appeared to be doing so well."
It is thought the bird had been blown off course from its first winter migration to the Bay of Biscay.
Mrs Grey said: "I guess it is fair to assume that something must have been wrong with him to cause him to come down in Winchester in the first place."
RSPCA staff picked up the young puffin on Wednesday and described it as "hungry and exhausted".
They transferred him to the Hart Wildlife Rescue centre near Alton.
:(
The male juvenile was found four days ago at Winchester's Royal Hampshire County Hospital cowering at the bottom of a flight of steps.
Jackie Grey of Hart Wildlife Rescue centre said: "Everyone is naturally very upset as he appeared to be doing so well."
It is thought the bird had been blown off course from its first winter migration to the Bay of Biscay.
Mrs Grey said: "I guess it is fair to assume that something must have been wrong with him to cause him to come down in Winchester in the first place."
RSPCA staff picked up the young puffin on Wednesday and described it as "hungry and exhausted".
They transferred him to the Hart Wildlife Rescue centre near Alton.
:(
Title: Re: Lost puffin found at Winchester hospital sex clinic
Post by: Donna on 03-Dec-11, 02:51:24 PM
Oh, that's so sad! :( Thanks Kris
Title: Re: Lost puffin found at Winchester hospital sex clinic
Post by: AlisonL on 03-Dec-11, 05:59:56 PM
Very sad news. Thank you for the update, Kris. :sick:
Title: Re: Lost puffin found at Winchester hospital sex clinic
Post by: Carol P. on 03-Dec-11, 06:03:54 PM
:(
Title: Re: Lost puffin found at Winchester hospital sex clinic
Post by: carly on 03-Dec-11, 06:16:05 PM
Poor little guy, I'm glad they tried to save him though. At least he didnt' die alone on the road somewhere. :'(