The North Wind Doth Blow!

Despite concerted efforts to convince ourselves that Spring is just around the corner, Suffolk was hit by a cold snap and a covering of snow this week.

Luckily, our birds are all well insulated with plumage and housed in warm dry accommodation, so they are not adversely affected by plummeting temperatures. Many of our display team originate from parts of the globe that suffer harsh weather conditions and are well suited to dealing with wind chill factors such as those experienced recently. Others are migratory birds which move to warmer climes when cold weather hits.

Either way, snow is still a fairly rare occurrence at the sanctuary and one that must be celebrated by both man and beast! The falconry team flew several birds free this week, enabling them able to experience this strange phenomenon called snow.

Rocky weighs up the strange white world and icy pond!

Rocky the Turkey Vulture, a species more used to enjoying scorching American temperatures, seemed perfectly at home in the crisp winter atmosphere and continues to progress well in his training to become part of the seasonal flying team.

Mir, the Steppe Eagle is a migratory bird hailing from the cold steppe region of central Asia and southern Russia, ranging easterly from Romania to Mongolia. Steppe regions and their human, mammalian and avian inhabitants are subject to incredible extremes of temperature, ranging from 45 deg. C (113 deg. F) in summer to -55 deg. C (-67 deg. F) in the winter months.

Mir the Steppe Eagle feels at home as the temperature drops!

These areas also experience huge contrasts in the day and night-time temperatures - in the highlands of Mongolia daytime temperatures of 30 deg. C (86 deg. F) can plummet to sub-zero figures at night. Mir, then, is easily able to take a delicate sprinkling of Suffolk snow in her stride and appeared to thoroughly enjoy the nippier conditions!

Lincoln the Bald Eagle - now reaching his maturity - has rarely seen snow in his five years of life, but his genus is well equipped for a colder climate. The Bald Eagle’s natural range includes the northern American states and Canada - when numbers were somewhat depleted during the 1950s, the species was restricted to Alaska and the Aleutian Islands.

Juvenile Bald Eagle, Lincoln, comes in for a snowy landing.

Like the Steppe, the Bald Eagle migrates to warmer climes in winter, namely Florida, Louisiana, the Sonoran Desert and northern Mexico. Having been somewhat spoilt in the relatively tropical Suffolk climate to date, Lincoln was unphased by the wintry conditions and behaved impeccably - giving shivering visitors to the sanctuary a heartwarming impromptu performance!

Despite the birds’ apparent pleasure at cold weather flying, the humans of the sanctuary hope that it won’t be too long before they are putting the birds through their paces in more sultry conditions!!

Many thanks to Jess for the photos, one of our multi-talented falconers, who is also a dab hand with the camera, and to Cathrine, our lady of letters who penned today's blog!

Where Eagles Dare!

Visitors to the Suffolk Owl Sanctuary are always mesmerised by our trio of magnificent eagles; Mir the Steppe Eagle, Lincoln the Bald Eagle and Pungu the Bateleur Eagle.

Sitting out on perches on the Eagle Lawn, people can observe the birds at close quarters and fully appreciate their elegance and power - one only has to consider the size of an eagle’s talons to fully comprehend what ultra efficient hunting machines they really are!

Regal Eagle - Mir illustrates the intense glare of the hooded eye

Mir the Steppe Eagle is the great matriarch of the sanctuary, having resided here since the inception of the centre over 20 years ago. Although one would assume that she is now considered to be quite an elderly bird, this is not the case - in the protected environment of the sanctuary, enjoying a plentiful food supply and with no fear of predators, she is likely to live into her late 40s or early 50s, so is actually in her prime! 

Lincoln the Bald Eagle, on the other hand, is just reaching maturity, having only arrived at the sanctuary in 2012. Young Bald Eagles are comparatively unattractive birds, having drab brown plumage and no distinguishing features. Over the last five years, however, Lincoln has metamorphosed into a supremely elegant bird displaying striking mature plumage and the iconic white head and yellow beak, eyes, and feet of his species.

Lincoln, our maturing Bald Eagle, communicates with visitors!

The name Bald Eagle comes from the greek Haliaeetus Ieucocephalus meaning sea (hali) eagle (aietos) white (lLeuco) head (cephalos) in recognition of this most recognisable feature.

The charismatic Pungu takes part in a Half Day with Eagles with falconer Matt

Young visitor Luke Cummings to this photo of Pungu's colourful face markings for our 2017 Photo Competition

Pungu, the Bateleur Eagle has been entertaining visitors as part of the flying team for over ten years. Like Lincoln, she arrived at the sanctuary as a somewhat insignificant brown youngster, but over four or five years blossomed into the eye-catching black and scarlet individual who turns so many heads today.

Bateleurs are unique within the eagle world due to their ability to walk and jump backward, enabled by their unusually short tail. This feature is an absolute necessity for an African bird which enjoys a diet inclusive of snakes; the bird must be able to retreat nimbly from the strike of these reptiles when hunting.

The enduring popularity of our eagles has recently prompted us to offer a new falconry course for 2018 - The Eagle Experience. This unique, sanctuary based course will present the opportunity for visitors to spend exclusive time with our magnificent eagles and a designated falconer, gaining a real insight into the nature and behaviour of these powerful raptors and experiencing them in awe-inspiring flight at close quarters. Click here for further details.

For details of this or any of our wide range of falconry activities, please ‘phone our admin. team on 0345 680 7897.

The Whole Kit & Kaboodle

The S.O.S. red squirrel colony enjoys luxurious accommodation within the centre’s pretty Woodland Walk.

Three tall, spacious aviaries connected with unique treetop walkways provide the extensive habitat and aerial cover that these solitary animals enjoy: there are plenty of communal areas where family members can congregate but also lots of secluded nooks and crannies in which individuals can enjoy some peace and quiet.

Visitor Christopher Whybroage sent us this image of one of our confident kits taking a closer look at visitors

One measure of the squirrels’ wellbeing, both physical and psychological, is their breeding success. During 2017, there were seven kittens born within the sanctuary’s colony (from two breeding pairs) - an achievement of which we're proud.

There are many reasons for the fragility of red squirrel populations. Firstly, the genus is inherently susceptible to the squirrel pox virus, unlike the more robust grey squirrel with which it must necessarily compete.

Secondly, red squirrels feed less efficiently in the broadland woodlands of their favoured habitat than grey squirrels - the latter can survive at densities of 8 per. hectare, whilst red squirrels are only successful at a density of 1 per. hectare (and as low as 0.1 per. hectare in coniferous woodland).

Red squirrels also suffer at the hands of a number of predators such as birds of prey and pine martens with the breeding patterns of the latter correlating directly with fluctuations in red squirrel numbers.

The modern world also encroaches on red squirrel populations - in some urban areas, domestic cats pose a new threat and throughout all rural areas of the U.K. evidence of the devastation caused to both red and grey squirrel populations by traffic is plain to see on the roads.

There are estimated to be only 140,000 red squirrels in Britain presently, compared to 2.5 million greys, so the necessity of captive breeding programmes has never been more apparent.

One of the mature Red Squirrels at S.O.S. enjoys a snack

Successful progeny from the S.O.S. squirrel colony are usually transferred to other national breeding centres, to introduce new blood lines and improve the gene pool, most notably the Isle of Wight Red Squirrel Trust. The geographical advantages of this small island are particularly conducive to successful breeding with the Solent providing a barrier to the infiltration of grey squirrels.

As it is illegal to introduce a grey squirrel into red squirrel territory with a penalty of two year’s imprisonment or a £5,000 fine, the island offers an insulated, protective environment.

Captive breeding centres are also now established in many parts of the U.K including Surrey, Cornwall, Kent, Brownsea Island, Yorkshire, Jersey and Tresco. The seven most recent Suffolk Owl Sanctuary progeny have just settled into their new home in Hereford, where we hope they will enjoy many years successfully breeding their own young.

 

We're nicked!

Visits to S.O.S. are sometimes made by the most unexpected people!!

Just such an instance occurred recently when ten police officers of Suffolk Constabulary joined us for an instructional morning. The officers are all connected to the force's rural beats and were interested in expanding their knowledge of owls and other birds of prey.

Titch the Tawny Owl and Pippin the Barn Owl display impeccable behaviour whilst sitting on the long arm of the law!

During the course of their usual duties throughout the Suffolk countryside, the police are often involved in situations concerning wild animals and birds. Although agencies such as the R.S.P.C.A., the R.S.P.B., the Suffolk Wildlife Trust and the Suffolk Owl Sanctuary exist to meet the specific needs of local wildlife, the police often find themselves playing a supportive role in such incidents, so Suffolk Constabulary felt it important to equip their officers with knowledge in this area.

The day began with an introduction to some of the sanctuary’s native bird population - these being the species that the police would come into contact with out in the field.

Officers looking confident in their new bird handling skills

Instruction concentrated on bird recognition - in order that police could relay accurate information to other agencies called in to assist them - and bird handling in order for officers to gain a degree of protection and confidence when dealing with beaks and talons at close quarters!

It is hoped that the skills acquired during time spent at the sanctuary will prove useful to our visitors in their line of duty and that their time spent with the falconers has raised awareness of some of the issues facing our beautiful but vulnerable native bird population.

The police visit evolved from a perceived rise in wildlife crimes in general and incidents involving birds of prey specifically. In particular, numbers of wild bird shooting cases have escalated in the last couple of years. The “protected" conservation status of many of the birds involved then demands criminal investigation.

Identity Parade! General Manager Maz and Falconer Liz hope that their road tax and M.O.T.s are up to date!

As a response to this worrying development, Suffolk Constabulary took time to re-assess their efficiency in this context. It was decided that some time and resources spent on the area of wildlife crime would be justified in order to embed a more comprehensive understanding of the challenges facing Suffolk wildlife and, consequently, elicit a more robust response in such instances.

The police day at the sanctuary was not a case of “all work and no play” however and all the officers thoroughly enjoyed their time in close community with our birds as well as taking in a much appreciated flying display. 

Kestrel Casualties

The raptor hospital at Suffolk Owl Sanctuary is the only such facility serving the Suffolk area. As such, it is a hive of activity throughout the year, but particularly during the late Spring/early Summer months when progeny are maturing and taking their first tentative steps into the airborne world!

At the time of writing the hospital ward is almost at capacity, with five young Kestrels adding to the influx of patients at this time of year

Unusually, four of the kestrels are siblings and were brought into the hospital together. During clearance work in a local garden, a number of trees were felled and unfortunately, one of the trees contained a nest site in which one diligent kestrel couple had been rearing their four chicks.

After such a major dissembling of the kestrel’s habitat, there was no likelihood of the parent birds returning to their brood, so the concerned house owner immediately stepped in. The four youngsters were wrapped up and placed in a lidded box, to offer dark quietude during their journey to the sanctuary, in the hope that the stress and shock of their ordeal would not prove too much for the tiny birds.

On arrival, the falconry staff ascertained that the kestrels were just over two weeks old and, apart from suffering understandable shock at the loss of their nest, were otherwise in good condition. Had the tree clearance happened a week or so earlier, the outcome for the young birds would have been severe, as young kestrel chicks need constant brooding for the first 10 - 14 days of life.

Our hospital admissions had just passed this crucial landmark and now had the ability to regulate their own temperature. Their father had also been conscientious in his provision of food for mum and babies, as their body condition was good, so thanks to the parent birds’ hard work, the quadruplets had a great start in life and the best possible chance of survival. We were happy to step into the breach left by the adult kestrels and continue to feed, monitor and protect their progeny.

The Kestrel quadruplets will soon be transferred from
the hospital ward to a secure hack site.

Little Miracles!

Our raptor hospital is a busy place at this time of year - young owls and other birds of prey are finding their wings and, like all novices, some will find it harder to master new skills than others! Those that need a little extra help often turn up at the hospital, having fallen from a nest site or suffered a mishap through lack of confidence!

At the moment, six hospital places are being occupied by half-a-dozen Little Owls who came a cropper whilst testing their wings for the first time! The babies all arrived at the hospital as individual cases, but have soon made each others' acquaintance and when the time comes will be hacked out as a group.

Now We Are Six! (even though you can only see five of us). The six fledgling Little Owls all bonded very quickly.

Like some other owl species, Little Owl numbers are in rapid decline in the U.K. Results from the British Trust for Ornithology’s bird surveys indicate that numbers have fallen by 64% since the late 1960s and that current breeding pairs number 5,700.

One factor working against this vulnerable bird is it’s lack of formal conservation status in the U.K. It is excluded from the Birds of Conservation Concern list due to the non-native status of the Little Owl, the species having been introduced to Britain in the late 1800s. If it was eligible for inclusion, however, the Little Owl would be red listed, having declined in population by more than 50% over the last 25 years.

After many failed attempts to establish this owl in Britain, the first successful breeding was recorded in Kent in 1879 and by 1909 Little Owls were successfully established in habitat as far north as Derbyshire. Today, the largest populations are to be found in the South East of England and Suffolk seems to be a particular hot spot for this pretty little bird. This may in part be due to the fact that Suffolk is a rural area, with plenty of oak and ash (favoured by Little Owls) and a retention of old orchards - fruit trees are also a hit!

Notoriously difficult to spot, it is likely that there are many more Little Owls in your local area than you realise! Not only are they almost exclusively active at dawn and dusk, rather than during the day; they are also extremely well camouflaged at times when they are “visible”.

The six youngsters currently being cared for in our hospital are all “branchers”. This term is used to describe young owls which have fallen when they have “branched out” from their nest, as their flight feathers are developing, and they make their first attempts at flight. Such casualties are usually found members of the public walking their dogs - obviously this is a morning and evening activity, when the owls are at their most active.

Unlike Barn Owls, which will not feed young which have fallen from the nest, Tawny and Little Owls will continue to feed and care for their young branchers, so although such vulnerable looking chicks may appear to have been abandoned, their parents will probably know exactly where they are!

The best advice, therefore, on finding a baby Little Owl in such circumstances is to leave it alone, unless it is in imminent danger or is obviously injured. In the latter cases, then removal to a place of safety and care is necessary. To do this, pick the baby up gently in a towel or jumper, place it in a covered box and keep it in a quiet, dark place until you can transport it to your nearest rescue facility. You can find more details on our website here but please, WASH YOUR HANDS after handling a wild bird.

You will find a list of contacts for rescue centres on our website here. If you are located in Suffolk, please telephone the sanctuary for advice or hospital admissions on 0345 680 7897 (option 4).

These six branchers currently being cared for in our raptor hospital are now feeding independently and are of good body condition. This means that within the next couple of weeks, they will be transported to a secure, secluded hack site where they can enjoy regular supplies of food and protection until they choose to strike out on their own.

Little Miracles!

Our raptor hospital is a busy place at this time of year - young owls and other birds of prey are finding their wings and, like all novices, some will find it harder to master new skills than others! Those that need a little extra help often turn up at the hospital, having fallen from a nest site or suffered a mishap through lack of confidence!

At the moment, six hospital places are being occupied by half-a-dozen Little Owls who came a cropper whilst testing their wings for the first time! The babies all arrived at the hospital as individual cases, but have soon made each others' acquaintance and when the time comes will be hacked out as a group.

Now We Are Six! (even though you can only see five of us) The six fledgling Little Owls all bonded very quickly.

Like some other owl species, Little Owl numbers are in rapid decline in the U.K. Results from the British Trust for Ornithology’s bird surveys indicate that numbers have fallen by 64% since the late 1960s and that current breeding pairs number 5,700.

One factor working against this vulnerable bird is it’s lack of formal conservation status in the U.K. It is excluded from the Birds of Conservation Concern list due to the non-native status of the Little Owl, the species having been introduced to Britain in the late 1800s. If it was eligible for inclusion, however, the Little Owl would be red listed, having declined in population by more than 50% over the last 25 years.

After many failed attempts to establish this owl in Britain, the first successful breeding was recorded in Kent in 1879 and by 1909 Little Owls were successfully established in habitat as far north as Derbyshire. Today, the largest populations are to be found in the South East of England and Suffolk seems to be a particular hot spot for this pretty little bird. This may in part be due to the fact that Suffolk is a rural area, with plenty of oak and ash (favoured by Little Owls) and a retention of old orchards - fruit trees are also a hit!

Notoriously difficult to spot, it is likely that there are many more Little Owls in your local area than you realise! Not only are they almost exclusively active at dawn and dusk, rather than during the day; they are also extremely well camouflaged at times when they are “visible”.

The six youngsters currently being cared for in our hospital are all “branchers”. This term is used to describe young owls which have fallen when they have “branched out” from their nest, as their flight feathers are developing, and they make their first attempts at flight. Such casualties are usually found members of the public walking their dogs - obviously this is a morning and evening activity, when the owls are at their most active.

Unlike Barn Owls, which will not feed young which have fallen from the nest, Tawny and Little Owls will continue to feed and care for their young branchers, so although such vulnerable looking chicks may appear to have been abandoned, their parents will probably know exactly where they are!

The best advice, therefore, on finding a baby Little Owl in such circumstances is to leave it alone, unless it is in imminent danger or is obviously injured. In the latter cases, then removal to a place of safety and care is necessary. To do this, pick the baby up gently in a towel or jumper, place it in a covered box and keep it in a quiet, dark place until you can transport it to your nearest rescue facility. You can find more details on our website here but please, WASH YOUR HANDS after handling a wild bird.

You will find a list of contacts for rescue centres on our website here. If you are located in Suffolk, please telephone the sanctuary for advice or hospital admissions on 0345 680 7897 (option 4).

These six branchers currently being cared for in our raptor hospital are now feeding independently and are of good body condition. This means that within the next couple of weeks, they will be transported to a secure, secluded hack site where they can enjoy regular supplies of food and protection until they choose to strike out on their own.

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S.O.S. Celebrates Suffolk Day

On 21st. June the county of Suffolk celebrated the first ever Suffolk Day - an idea championed by Mark Murphy of Radio Suffolk and supported by the East Anglian Daily Times. Suffolk Day is a new initiative encouraging people throughout the county to fly the Suffolk flag and celebrate everything that’s great about the county.

We were glad to join in by offering reduced-price admissions on the day as the St. Edmunds flag was proudly flown outside the centre and Suffolk bunting adorned reception.

Falconer Jess and Cobweb the Barn Owl celebrated Suffolk Day on June 21st

In a shrinking world, where people are able to communicate, trade and interact with others on a global scale, Suffolk Day offered an ideal opportunity to reflect on the beauty and diversity that exists right on our doorstep and to appreciate our wonderful locality.

Suffolk offers big skies and pretty landscapes, breathtaking coastline, delicious food, innovative businesses, quaint market towns, exciting nightlife and, above all, friendly natives! Over the last few months Mark has been raising awareness of Suffolk Day with local businesses, councils, visitor attractions and residents and the birds and staff at the owl sanctuary have been vociferous in their support!

We look forward to next year's event!

Kestrel Casualties

The raptor hospital at Suffolk Owl Sanctuary is the only such facility serving the Suffolk area. As such, it is a hive of activity throughout the year, but particularly during the late Spring/early Summer months when progeny are maturing and taking their first tentative steps into the airborne world!

At the time of writing the hospital ward is almost at capacity, with five young Kestrels adding to the influx of patients at this time of year.

Unusually, four of the kestrels are siblings and were brought into the hospital together. During clearance work in a local garden, a number of trees were felled and unfortunately, one of the trees contained a nest site in which one diligent kestrel couple had been rearing their four chicks.

After such a major dissembling of the kestrel’s habitat, there was no likelihood of the parent birds returning to their brood, so the concerned house owner immediately stepped in. The four youngsters were wrapped up and placed in a lidded box, to offer dark quietude during their journey to the sanctuary, in the hope that the stress and shock of their ordeal would not prove too much for the tiny birds.

On arrival, the falconry staff ascertained that the kestrels were just over two weeks old and, apart from suffering understandable shock at the loss of their nest, were otherwise in good condition. Had the tree clearance happened a week or so earlier, the outcome for the young birds would have been severe, as young kestrel chicks need constant brooding for the first 10 - 14 days of life.

Our hospital admissions had just passed this crucial landmark and now had the ability to regulate their own temperature. Their father had also been conscientious in his provision of food for mum and babies, as their body condition was good, so thanks to the parent birds’ hard work, the quadruplets had a great start in life and the best possible chance of survival. We were happy to step into the breach left by the adult kestrels and continue to feed, monitor and protect their progeny.

The Kestrel quadruplets will soon be transferred from the hospital ward to a secure hack site.

In the wild, kestrel chicks fledge gradually when they are around four weeks old, exploring the area around the nest site and venturing further as their confidence builds. Adults will continue to feed the young for a month after fledging, during which time they will learn to catch their own food. 

This situation will now be replicated by the falconry team by hacking out the kestrels at a secure site close to the sanctuary. The youngsters will be placed in a hack box providing temporary protected accommodation, with access to secluded natural habitat. Food will be provided for the young until they build the strength and confidence to strike out on their own as they mature and eventually, the juvenile kestrels will stay away from the box for extended periods, until they find their own wild habitat and leave the hack for the last time.

Unusually for birds of prey, there is no aggression between kestrel sibling chicks and they are happy to fly, perch and roost together even for some time after fledgling. We look forward to one day  spotting these lucky youngsters hovering high above their local hunting grounds!

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Red Kite Arrival

Every year we oversee the hatching of several progeny from a variety of the centre’s captive bred birds, those which are housed in our display aviaries and our simmer flying demonstrations.

If these youngsters are not retained by the sanctuary, they are exchanged with other breeding centres throughout the country in order to contribute to the national conservation programmes and help to retain healthy gene pools.

This year, they were thrilled to have successfully hand reared a Red Kite chick. Two eggs were taken from the nest of our established Red Kite group and, not unusually, one was not viable. The remaining chick, however, came on in leaps and bounds and in a matter of weeks a handsome bird is starting to emerge from the original fluffy blob!

This year’s new arrival is growing rapidly!

Red Kites are slowly repopulating most areas of the British Isles again, having suffered a somewhat chequered history in the past. Although protected in medieval times due to their value as street cleaners and carrion eaters, these stunning birds were heavily persecuted in Tudor times - as Tudor streets became cobbled and relatively clean, kites had to look further afield for food and came to be perceived as unwanted competitors for game.

At this time they also acquired a reputation for stealing clothes left out to dry, to decorate their nests. In Shakespeare’s Winter’s Tale, launderesses are advised that “when the kite builds, look to your lesser linen”!

In 1560, red kites were added to a list of animals and birds classed as “vermin” and a bounty was posted on red kite carcasses. Numbers plummeted. Their unpopularity continued right through to the 19th. century, when they were considered a threat to pheasant stocks and new born lambs - in fact kites are not voracious killers, preferring to clean up dead meat and carrion.

Red Kites can now be spotted flying over the skies of the Home Counties but visitors to the sanctuary can enjoy the awe inspiring sight of our own Red Kites Nessa, Bryn and Jester flying free and close-at-hand simultaneously from a purpose built hatch in their aviary

It is only since the turn of the 20th. century that kite numbers have started to recover in the wild thanks to a number of re-introduction programmes throughout the British Isles. These began with the setting up of a Kite Committee in Wales in 1904, which paid a dividend to farmers protecting Red Kites nesting on their land. Slowly, the Welsh population started to recover, due in part to the remoteness of some of the inhabited landscape and by 1992 there were 79 nesting pairs. In the next eight years this figure rose to 250.

Once the Red Kite was well established again in Wales, it’s numbers slowly began to recover throughout the British Isles. Although unusual, it is now not a rare sight to see red kites soaring over the Chilterns and above the M40 and M4 beyond High Wycombe and Marlow , and even in the Suffolk skies, easily recognisable with their elegant motion and iconic forked tail.

Red Kite Arrival

Every year we oversee the hatching of several progeny from a variety of the centre’s captive bred birds, those which are housed in our display aviaries and our simmer flying demonstrations.

If these youngsters are not retained by the sanctuary, they are exchanged with other breeding centres throughout the country in order to contribute to the national conservation programmes and help to retain healthy gene pools.

This year, they were thrilled to have successfully hand reared a Red Kite chick. Two eggs were taken from the nest of our established Red Kite group and, not unusually, one was not viable. The remaining chick, however, came on in leaps and bounds and in a matter of weeks a handsome bird is starting to emerge from the original fluffy blob!

This year’s new arrival is growing rapidly!

Red Kites are slowly repopulating most areas of the British Isles again, having suffered a somewhat chequered history in the past. Although protected in medieval times due to their value as street cleaners and carrion eaters, these stunning birds were heavily persecuted in Tudor times - as Tudor streets became cobbled and relatively clean, kites had to look further afield for food and came to be perceived as unwanted competitors for game.

At this time they also acquired a reputation for stealing clothes left out to dry, to decorate their nests. In Shakespeare’s Winter’s Tale, launderesses are advised that “when the kite builds, look to your lesser linen”!

In 1560, red kites were added to a list of animals and birds classed as “vermin” and a bounty was posted on red kite carcasses. Numbers plummeted. Their unpopularity continued right through to the 19th. century, when they were considered a threat to pheasant stocks and new born lambs - in fact kites are not voracious killers, preferring to clean up dead meat and carrion.

Red Kites can now be spotted flying over the skies of the Home Counties but visitors to the sanctuary can enjoy the awe inspiring sight
of our own Red Kites Nessa, Bryn and Jester flying free and close-at-hand simultaneously from a purpose built hatch in their aviary

It is only since the turn of the 20th. century that kite numbers have started to recover in the wild thanks to a number of re-introduction programmes throughout the British Isles. These began with the setting up of a Kite Committee in Wales in 1904, which paid a dividend to farmers protecting Red Kites nesting on their land. Slowly, the Welsh population started to recover, due in part to the remoteness of some of the inhabited landscape and by 1992 there were 79 nesting pairs. In the next eight years this figure rose to 250.

Once the Red Kite was well established again in Wales, it’s numbers slowly began to recover throughout the British Isles. Although unusual, it is now not a rare sight to see red kites soaring over the Chilterns and above the M40 and M4 beyond High Wycombe and Marlow , and even in the Suffolk skies, easily recognisable with their elegant motion and iconic forked tail.

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You need hands...

From Easter until the last weekend in September, life at S.O.S. becomes hectic for falconers and their charges! Three flying demonstrations are the focus of our visitors' attention, but the shows have to be fitted in between the always busy schedule of cleaning aviaries, feeding birds and maintaining their fitness levels, engaging with school parties and most importantly receiving, assessing, treating and rehabilitating injured wild owls and other birds of prey in the raptor hospital.

As a charity, we manage this packed daily schedule on a precarious budget, substantially dependent on public donations. Consequently, we are indebted to our small army of volunteer helpers who work tirelessly (in all weathers!) to assist with all aspects of the falconers’ workload, rewarded only with the opportunity to get close to, handle and fly some of the sanctuary’s resident birds.

Volunteer Tom gets down to the nitty gritty - 
papering night boxes in the mews room

Some volunteers work with us for many years, having found a niche in which they feel fulfilled; happy to help, in close proximity to the birds that they feel so passionate about. Other individuals wish to just dip into the work of the sanctuary for a few months to experience something out of the ordinary and gain skills that would otherwise have remained outwith their ken.

Volunteers come from diverse backgrounds and all walks of life; students, nurses, policemen, service personnel, entrepreneurs, carers and their charges, full time grannies and those enjoying retirement. A wide variety of nationalities have also enriched the sanctuary’s cultural diversity over the years and we have received assistance from individuals from Spain, Italy, Sweden, Poland and the Netherlands.

At the end of a hard day’s work Tom winds down helping to exercise Cobweb the Barn
Owl and Taino the Ashy Faced Owl.
 

In this context, volunteers not only contribute practical help, experience and wisdom to the day to day running of the sanctuary, they also offer another perspective on life in general and our role in the wider context of local community and international conservation issues.

It is not only in the summer season that volunteers are so valuable to the management of the centre’s workload. During the winter months, when there are no demonstrations and the flying team rest and moult, the chores continue as the standard of care of the centre’s 80+ resident birds must still be upheld.

That the sanctuary could not run efficiently without the dedication of volunteers is an understatement.Through all seasons and in all weathers, our volunteers are crucial to the successful running of the sanctuary and the happy and healthy lives of the birds. From sweeping paths, to weighing birds, to clearing undergrowth - even to serving hot chocolate and mince pies during our annual Christmas event - all volunteers are priceless and we thank them all most sincerely for their help.

Anyone interested in offering their services in this capacity would be most welcome - especially if they have time to spare at weekends! The only criteria are that interested applicants be consistent in their attendance, willing to turn their hand to all tasks and have a sense of humour and love of a frequent hot beverage! Further details can be obtained from volunteer co-ordinator, Liz Boyd via the the admin. office on 0345 680 7897, by email to liz@owlbarn.co.uk or from the sanctuary’s reception desk.

We look forward to meeting you!

You need hands...

From Easter until the last weekend in September, life at S.O.S. becomes hectic for falconers and their charges! Three flying demonstrations are the focus of our visitors' attention, but the shows have to be fitted in between the always busy schedule of cleaning aviaries, feeding birds and maintaining their fitness levels, engaging with school parties and most importantly receiving, assessing, treating and rehabilitating injured wild owls and other birds of prey in the raptor hospital.

As a charity, we manage this packed daily schedule on a precarious budget, substantially dependent on public donations. Consequently, we are indebted to our small army of volunteer helpers who work tirelessly (in all weathers!) to assist with all aspects of the falconers’ workload, rewarded only with the opportunity to get close to, handle and fly some of the sanctuary’s resident birds.

Volunteer Tom gets down to the nitty gritty - papering night boxes in the mews room

Some volunteers work with us for many years, having found a niche in which they feel fulfilled; happy to help, in close proximity to the birds that they feel so passionate about. Other individuals wish to just dip into the work of the sanctuary for a few months to experience something out of the ordinary and gain skills that would otherwise have remained outwith their ken.

Volunteers come from diverse backgrounds and all walks of life; students, nurses, policemen, service personnel, entrepreneurs, carers and their charges, full time grannies and those enjoying retirement. A wide variety of nationalities have also enriched the sanctuary’s cultural diversity over the years and we have received assistance from individuals from Spain, Italy, Sweden, Poland and the Netherlands.

At the end of a hard day’s work Tom winds down helping to exercise Cobweb the Barn Owl and Taino the Ashy Faced Owl.

In this context, volunteers not only contribute practical help, experience and wisdom to the day to day running of the sanctuary, they also offer another perspective on life in general and our role in the wider context of local community and international conservation issues.

It is not only in the summer season that volunteers are so valuable to the management of the centre’s workload. During the winter months, when there are no demonstrations and the flying team rest and moult, the chores continue as the standard of care of the centre’s 80+ resident birds must still be upheld.

That the sanctuary could not run efficiently without the dedication of volunteers is an understatement. Through all seasons and in all weathers, our volunteers are crucial to the successful running of the sanctuary and the happy and healthy lives of the birds. From sweeping paths, to weighing birds, to clearing undergrowth - even to serving hot chocolate and mince pies during our annual Christmas event - all volunteers are priceless and we thank them all most sincerely for their help.

Anyone interested in offering their services in this capacity would be most welcome - especially if they have time to spare at weekends! The only criteria are that interested applicants be consistent in their attendance, willing to turn their hand to all tasks and have a sense of humour and love of a frequent hot beverage! Further details can be obtained from volunteer co-ordinator, Liz Boyd via the the admin. office on 0345 680 7897, by email to liz@owlbarn.co.uk or from the sanctuary’s reception desk.

We look forward to meeting you!

Thanks to Abi, Ant, Candy, Ellie, Grace, Hannah, Jan, Linda, Luke, Mick, Lynne, Sarah, Simon, Les Deux Steves & Tom - and all past volunteers - without whom S.O.S. wouldn't be quite the same today!

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A Lucky Buzzard!

The services of our Raptor Hospital are in constant demand as the weather improves and young wild owls and other birds of prey start to become active. Breeding is well under way throughout the wild bird population and that means more potential casualties on local roads, youngsters falling from trees and birds flying into windows!

A recent case, however, presented with a rather more unusual injury. About a month ago, a call was taken a from a member of the public who had come across a Common Buzzard lying in a secluded field. Alarmingly, the bird was not attempting to avoid human contact and appeared to have been immobile for some time.

On closer inspection, the gentleman realised that the buzzard was injured and bleeding from one wing. Having telephoned the sanctuary for advice, he was able to gently wrap the buzzard in a towel, place it in a box and bring it in to us.

The Buzzard is fast becoming a common sight in the skies once again

On arrival the buzzard appeared to have a reasonable body condition and had no injury other than the bloody wing. This was cleaned up and checked for signs of infection. This close inspection revealed that the buzzard had actually been shot, so an initial fear was that the wing bone may be shattered and not viable.

However, a consultation with the vet revealed just a series of small fractures, all in a part of the wing which could, indeed be bound. After 2 weeks in bandages in the quiet seclusion of the sanctuary’s rehabilitation aviaries, the dressing was removed and the wing found to be fully mended. Another week in the secure environment offered the buzzard an opportunity to rebuild strength and muscle in preparation for its return to the wild.

Remarkably, last week this VERY lucky buzzard was returned by it’s rescuer to the location from whence it came, having defied the very poor odds of a shot wing returning to viability.

It is hoped that injured Buzzards will not be seen too regularly in our hospital facilities

Having suffered a sharp decline in numbers during the early 20th. century due to pesticide poisoning and in the 1950s due to the spread of myxomatosis in rabbit populations, buzzard numbers have risen steadily over the last 20 years. They are now a becoming a common sight throughout the U.K. and we hope that this does not result in the buzzard being perceived as a threat to pheasant stocks and a renewed desire to reduce numbers by individuals.

The species is fully protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and it is illegal to kill, injure or take a buzzard or to take, damage or destroy an active nest or its contents. However, in July 2016, Natural England issued a licence available to landowners to shoot up to 10 buzzards “to prevent serious damage to pheasants”. It is hoped that such legislation will not result in an increase in injured wild buzzard numbers requiring the attention of our hospital facilities.

Our current  hospital treatment room and recovery spaces are somewhat cramped when dealing with such large birds and the necessity for expansion in this regard is now the main impetus behind our largest fundraising drive to date. We are hoping, with the help of our supportive visitors, grant aids and generous benefactors, to raise money over the next two years in order to build and equip a brand new Raptor Hospital, able to accommodate the whole spectrum of injured wild birds of prey requiring treatment and rehabilitation.

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A Tawny Owl with 3 Lives!

As regular readers will know, the doors of Suffolk Owl Sanctuary are open eight hours a day, seven days a week and 52 weeks of the year to receive injured wild owls and other birds of prey.

Every season of the year brings its own specific casualties from baby owls falling from nests in the Spring to mature birds suffering the privations of harsh weather in Winter. Interspersed with these anticipated casualties, are always a number of unpredictable cases!

One recent admission which took us by surprise was that of a Tawny Owl involved in a road traffic accident. Not a rare occurrence in itself, as the speed and huge volume of traffic on today’s roads can cause major problems for wildlife in general and birds in particular. Lightweight birds hunting close to grass verges can easily be sucked into the wake of passing cars and lorries, causing many to be struck a glancing blow and stunned.

This particular owl, however, had been hit once by a car and whilst lying in the road, driven over again, by a following vehicle.  Amazingly, the bird suffered no major internal injuries but was understandably stunned and dazed! 

On arrival at the raptor hospital, the patient was treated for shock and settled into a quiet, secluded rehabilitation aviary in order to regain it’s faculties and gather strength. After three days of good food, peaceful surroundings and protection from predators, the Tawny was ready to face the rigours of life in the wild once again. This extremely lucky owl was then successfully released back into the wild - well away from traffic - to, hopefully, live a long and productive life!

After a few days of recuperation, this VERY lucky Tawny Owl is returned to his home range.

It is estimated that a staggering 3,000 to 5,000 young Barn Owls are killed on Britain’s roads annually. Add to this many Tawny and Little Owl deaths and the magnitude of roadside owl fatalities  quickly becomes apparent. 

Young owls are more vulnerable to the potential risks of high speed vehicles, as they move farther afield than their mature parent birds to hunt.  The latter remain within their established home range and if this does not contain a major road, it is unlikely that they will come into contact with dangerous volumes of traffic. 

In some parts of the U.K., planting schemes have been introduced in an attempt to reduce numbers of bird fatalities. Tree screens have been planted on both sides of major roads, forcing low hunting owls to fly up high and over the top of traffic. Similarly, grass cutting schedules have been abandoned and grass verges have allowed to grow and develop into tall scrub areas, elevating the native bird population above the danger zone.

It may be pertinent to state here that whilst we would always encourage Good Samaritans to gather up road traffic casualties when possible, this should only be attempted in circumstances which are SAFE and LEGAL!

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We're wild about conservation!

Supporters of the Suffolk Owl Sanctuary may have noticed recent media coverage regarding a joint initiative by the Royal Horticultural Society and The Wildlife Trusts. Aptly named Wild About Gardens, the project aims to encourage members of the public to support wildlife in domestic gardens by thoughtful planting and the provision of appropriate habitat.

According to the project leaders the U.K. has around “…15 million gardens…put together they cover 667,000 acres - an area seven times the size of the Isle of Wight.”

Don’t burn old twigs and leaves on the bonfire - a huge variety of bugs and insects will take up residence if left undisturbed.

Plenty of space, then, to enable gardeners everywhere to set aside a little patch of wild terrain providing protection and food for the huge variety of birds, bees, insects and butterflies native to the U.K. Numbers of wild visitors can be increased to even the smallest balcony or border by planting nectar rich plants, by leaving old plants to rot down over the winter, by providing bundles of twigs and dead leaves for cover and by creating cosy holes and crevices in pieces of wood and under plant pots for bees and other over wintering creatures.

Plant wildflowers with single blooms offering easy access for nectar loving bees.

Here at the Sanctuary, within the pretty Woodland Walk every effort is made to establish food sources and habitat for a whole diversity of woodland visitors. A bug hotel offers luxury accommodation for beetles, lacewings, spiders, woodlice, earwigs etc., whilst ladybirds can enjoy the cover offered by “high rise” logs bored with holes hanging from the trees. Frogs, toads, newts and other marsh loving visitors can take refuge around the peripheries of the wild life pond - an ideal spot for laying frogspawn and for worms, centipedes and bugs that amphibians love to eat.

Frogs, newts and toads enjoy shaded, marshy areas at the edges of ponds offering cover from predators and an excellent supply of food.

Boxes are also situated within the woodland for wood mice as well as many varieties of garden bird and dead tree limbs and leaves are stacked into piles rather than burnt on a bonfire, creating hedgehog teepees and reptile refuges!

All of these small scale conservation ideas can be replicated in the garden, on the farm or at the allotment…..and if they are implemented throughout the 667,000 acres at our disposal, will make a major impact on the bee, bug, butterfly and bird populations countrywide.

Leave wild areas on the edge of the garden with sheltered cavities for hedgehogs and mice.

We hope that visitors will leave the sanctuary having not only enjoyed our wonderful birds and animals and pretty surroundings, but also having felt inspired to create habitat and increase food sources in support of all wildlife on their own patch at home.

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And now, a Word for our Sponsors

As you can imagine, running a charity purely on the basis of donations these days is no longer the simplest of tasks, but it has to be said that the unflinching generosity of corporate sponsors together with private donators and well-wishers makes things a lot easier than they could be in the current climate of unrelenting financial pressure.

The financial support of individuals is both much appreciated and thankfully admired, but as our collective grandmothers no doubt told us over and over, "Look after the pennies and the £'s will look after themselves". So, the Trustees of S.O.S. would also like to pay tribute to their loyal staff and trusty volunteers for foregoing many of life's luxuries - warmth, leaky office accommodation and a nearby toilet spring to mind - as they go about their daily duties without complaint and cognisant of our financial straits. Thanks, guys!! - without you, none of our endeavours in the sphere of the care and conservation of wild owls and other birds of prey would be possible. If there were medals given for frugality, you'd be the first in line.

But it's not always cash & hard graft that make our place tick: we have also benefitted from the materials and manpower provided on a free-of-charge basis by many local firms who have played a valuable part in keep us going. Over the years Andrews Sykes, B&Q, Barclays Bank, Bardon Concrete, Clarkes of Walsham, The Co-OP, Eastern Concrete, Freecycle, Jewson and Lafarge have all stepped into the breach with supplies and muscle-power to help with maintenance and general upkeep.

So now it's with pleasure that we add another - albeit slightly different - corporate sponsor to the roster - Birketts LLP. This highly successful local law firm have stepped in with the generous sponsorship of one of our latest arrivals, the Great Horned Owl hatched here just a few weeks ago, to help celebrate the firms 150 years in business. With offices in Ipswich, Norwich, Cambridge & Chelmsford, Birketts - who provide a full range of legal & financial services to businesses, institutions and individuals - will also be promoting the Sanctuary across the region through its many lines of communication to their customers and the public at large, helping us raise awareness about wildlife care & conservation interests of the Suffolk Owl Sanctuary. May we say thank you, and welcome!

First hatchlings!

Spring is always a busy and exciting time for us, not only as a result of the rise in admissions to the raptor hospital due the wild owl breeding season, but also because many of the captive birds residing at the centre are also producing progeny.

Several owls have been sitting on eggs for the last couple of weeks including the Malaysian Wood Owls, Spectacled Owls and Tawny Owls. First past the post this year - as has often been the case - were the Great Horned Owls, Huron and Pheonix who successfully hatched two owlets on 27th. March.

Huron and Pheonix the Great Horned Owls have become proud parents once again - here their two young owlets nestle in the incubator

The young have been removed from the nest, in order to protect them from the sharp talons of their parents and the newborns are safely accommodated in a cosy incubator within the falconers’ hut. From now on they will be fed every couple of hours, as would be the case in the wild - in this case, however, the falconers will quickly become recognised as their source of food, rather than their parent birds.

This familiarisation with humans from an early age will enable the team to handle the birds who will thus become amenable to training to the glove once the time comes. 

The sanctuary’s Great Horned Owls are a particular success story regarding egg laying and hatching. For the last 9 years they have consistently laid eggs and each year have produced a pair of young. Most of these offspring have been exchanged with other centres in the U.K. in order to increase captive bred stock and maintain a healthy gene pool.

However, one son, Birkett has remained at the centre and will be instantly recognisable to regular visitors as one of the showstoppers of the thrice daily flying displays. Great Horned Owls are magnificent birds and popular with photographers due to their striking plumage and mesmerising vivid orange eyes!

Visitor Helene Thomas entered this great photo of Birkett in our Photo Competition last year, highlighting his characteristic 'ear tufts' and vivid orange eyes.(Click here if you'd like to enter the 2017 Photo Competition)

Although tiny scraps when first hatched, like most owls, they grow rapidly on their protein rich diet and within a matter of a few months, this week’s newborns will be a perfect match for their older brother!

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One Flew Over the Chimney Stack

The steady flow of casualties brought to the Suffolk Owl Sanctuary Raptor Hospital is a constant one - with no respect for weather or seasons. Over the colder months, most cases have suffered injury from road traffic accidents, flights into windows, starvation, the effects of cold, wet weather conditions and also falls down chimneys.

The latter is not such a rare occurrence as one might expect at this time of year as old, wide chimney stacks seem to be particularly attractive places for potential owl nest sites. Only last Saturday, staff were called out last Saturday to a local residence where a Tawny Owl had suffered such a fall.

Generally, such rescue missions are quite straightforward affairs……the owl is detected by scratching and scrabbling noises, the householder investigates, extricates the owl and brings it to the sanctuary hospital for assessment, bathing and recuperation time, before being released back into the wild.

General Manager Maz on one of her three visits to rescue the trapped Tawny Owl

On this occasion, however, removing the owl from the chimney stack proved a little trickier - the chimney was a large inglenook into which a fire hood had been fitted to direct smoke up the chimney stack more efficiently. This caused an obstruction which the rescuing falconers had to penetrate, through a VERY tiny inspection hatch, in order to reach the owl.

Manager Maz Robinson visited the property three times with falconry staff member Liz and volunteer Steve to try to coax the terrified owl into an accessible position, whilst limiting the stress the bird was suffering as much as possible.

Eventually, on visit three, slender Steve was able to inch his way to the bird with a net, through the slim opening and gently bring it into Maz’s reach. Owl, falconers and house owners were all able to breathe a huge sigh of relief when the Tawny was safely boxed for transportation back to the hospital.

"Come out, come out where ever you are…" Maz prepares to release the rescued Tawny

A thorough assessment of the bird’s condition concluded that although the owl was very black and frightened, it appeared to be in good health. A couple of bubble baths later the bird emerged refreshed and looking like a Tawny Owl again. Food and quiet recuperation were the order of the day and by Monday morning, this tough little creature was ready for release back into the wild….well away from tempting chimneys!

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News from the dugout!

Throughout the winter months, whilst flying displays come to a temporary halt, the Suffolk Owl Sanctuary falconry team have been working hard to renovate and, where necessary, rebuild the birds’ accommodation.

A new buzzard block was completed this week, providing spacious new aviaries for the Red Kites as well as CaraCaras, Turkey Vulture and Ferruginous Buzzards. A huge amount of work has also gone into renovating the pretty Woodland Walk where fences have been replaced, undergrowth cleared and new paths established for easier access to the Red Squirrel enlosures for wheelchairs and buggies.

This week the multi tasking team turned their attention to some major landscaping in the flying ground environs. First, with a digger on site, a large new pond was dug and lined. Not only will this enhance the aesthetics of this flat grassed area, it will also provide a context in which Lincoln the Bald Eagle can exhibit more of his innate hunting behaviours.

All in a week's work - Matt & Pete began with the digger and just a few days later the team - aided by some great work from our volunteers - laid a sandy base in preparation for the pond lining to be added. As they say, "watch this space" - once it's filled, we'll add some pictures!

In the wild, fish forms the main proportion of an eagles’ diet - this is supplemented with small mammals, waterfowl and turtles. In captivity, Lincoln does not have access to fishing grounds, so it is hoped that he will utilise the new pond to display his fishing skills - albeit not with fish, but with poults that we will float in the pond.

Bald Eagles possess exceptional eyesight - about five times sharper than our own. Lincoln can spot a small mammal like a rabbit from a mile away, so he will have no problem focusing on food which the falconers will plant in the pond! To catch fish, eagles generally watch the water surface from a perch or whilst rising on warm thermals in the air - they are masters of soaring and in the wild a cover huge distances whilst hunting. When a target is spotted, they swoop down, dipping just their feet into the water and grabbing the fish. Eagles’ talons are razor sharp and curved - perfect implements for catching slippery fish. They close with a ratchet like effect around the prey, enabling the eagle to make off with it’s meal in a vicelike grip.

The impressive good looks - and razor-sharp talons - of Lincoln the Bald Eagle: not to be messed with!

Once the new pond is lined and filled, careful planting of marsh-loving plants and wildflowers around the periphery, whilst the meadow area behind the pond will be planted with apposite flower seeds and left wild, offering nectar and seeds for butterflies and birds. In this way we hope to enhance our visitors’ close experience of our magnificent birds whilst endeavouring to improve the conservation status of our environment.

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