Snow dangerous to Red Kites another happy ending (for 1 at least)

[Donna]

The recent heavy snow has caused problems for birds of prey as well as humans.

Red kites and other birds of prey often get into difficulties when snow lies for a while because they can't feed easily and get hungry and thirsty.

On Saturday 9 January, Sue Fowler was walking in woods near Dolybont when she found a Red Kite on the ground.

According to Sue it was very weak and barely able to move.

"Initially I thought it had got caught in brambles but then I realised it was very weak," she added.

Sue wrapped it up took it home and she and her husband, Dave Purdon, who is the secretary of North Ceredigion branch of the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales, sought advice from the RSPB and the Welsh Kite Trust.

Rehabilitation

She said: "Kites and other birds , they can't feed easily when there is heavy snow and they can get desperately hungry and thirsty.

"The kite was taken indoors, and fed tepid water from a teaspoon, and small pieces of cat food.

Red Kite
The red kite was released into the wild on 19 January

"Initially it was almost too weak to swallow, but over a few hours revived enough to show some enthusiasm to swallow food."

Left overnight in a box in the shower room, by the morning it was sitting on the box and looking livelier.

Sue said:"I was thrilled because I have rescued many birds but this is the first one that has survived."

Wrapped and in a basket, the bird was taken to the Kite Trust HQ at Gigrin Farm at Rhayader, which has an aviary for the rehabilitation of sick or injured birds.

Chris Powell, who runs Gigrin Farm said more than 500 birds of prey had flown to the farm to feed during the cold snap.

He added:"Red kites will die if they are not found in snowy conditions so it is quite rare for someone to come across one and rescue it.

"The red kite found at Dolybont recovered well and was released back into the wild on 19 January."

Mr Powell said that the first point of contact for anyone finding a Red Kite in distress should be The Welsh Kite Trust.

"They will then assess whether the bird needs to be seen by a vet or come here for rehabilitaion," he added.