A Barn Owl in the hand...

Although most admissions to the Suffolk Owl Sanctuary raptor hospital are injured wild birds brought in by members of the public, referrals from local vets are also responsible for a proportion of patients.

Early in February a dazed Barn Owl was brought to us by the Oakwood Veterinary Group from Norfolk - an adult male owl had been taken to there by a motorist who had been driving in the area. He had been following another car which had hit the owl, but had not stopped - an avian hit and run!

The motorist was able to pick the owl up without any problem - a sure sign that all was not well - and took it to the vets for treatment, whose assessment was that the owl had been extremely lucky to have been just hit a glancing blow by the car.

No damage had been done to its wings - the usual compromising injury - and its legs also looked to be in good condition. The owl was obviously stunned, which is why its close examination was relatively easy, but would recover quickly with rest, food, peace and quiet.

After an overnight stay “on the ward” at the vet’s, the casualty was brought in to us for a period of recuperation. The special enclosed aviaries we have here offer the perfect environment for recovery and after two weeks of food and rest without fear of predators, the owl was ready to be released back into the wild.

Thar she blows! - whilst Liz took a buffeting on a particularly windy day, at least the Barn Owl got off to a flying start as he was returned to the wild.

Unfortunately, the owl’s rescuer was not local, but a travelling sales representative from Devon, so he was unable to take part in the release himself. However, he was able to relay very precise directions as to where the bird was found to the sanctuary’s falconry team, ensuring that the bird was returned to its own territory, exactly where it had been discovered.

Countdown to Flying!

Spring is in the air which - for the birds of the Suffolk Owl Sanctuary - means coming out of the aviaries and back into training for the busy flying season ahead.

Over the winter months the birds which participate in the spectacular summer flying demonstrations relax in their spacious aviaries. They moult and rest after a busy six months illustrating their various aerial characteristics as part of our mission to inform the public at large about the need for the ongoing conservation of similar species in the wild.

New member of staff Mary helps Liz induct a pair of our Red Kites to the 2016 weight watchers club!

After being left to “do their own raptor thing” over this dormant period, the birds are once again ready to work with the falconers to perfect a dazzling displays for visitors. So far this year, the following birds to have come out of the aviaries: Birkett (Great Horned Owl), Mir (Steppe Eagle), Templeton and Ash (Common Buzzards), April (Lanner Falcon) and Lock (Lannerette).

It takes a matter of weeks to bring a bird back to flying condition and the process starts with addressing some weight issues! The birds’ flying weight is necessarily lower than their dormant weight and their body condition is similarly at variance.

In order for a bird to return to the falconer’s glove it must be hungry and motivated by food, so slimming is on the cards for all the winter couch potatoes!!

Liz cradles Ash, one of our buzzards, in the comfort of a towel as she fits his new jesses

Once the birds are returned to their slimline form, their flying equipment must be renewed. Each bird will be fitted with soft leather jesses attached to its leg with anklets. A leash can then be fitted to the jesses in order for the bird to sit out on the weatherings waiting to fly, instead of in an aviary.

Catching up the birds to attach their equipment also offers the falconers an opportunity to check the birds’ general condition. If necessary, beaks can be coped and/or talons trimmed.

Coping (or trimming) beaks can be necessary in captive bred birds. In the wild, birds cope their own beaks by breaking open bones and tearing meat from the bones of their prey. In captivity, they do not have this opportunity so, as well as providing material in the aviaries for birds to cope naturally, the falconers must occasionally clip or file a beak into shape. If a beak was left to grow unchecked it could become so long that it would crack, causing the bird considerable pain.

Ash's beak is very carefully filed - if it grew too long it may split and cause pain to the bird

Once all the flying team birds have passed this annual M.O.T. they are ready to embark on the season’s programme of activities once again.

Countdown to Flying!

Spring is in the air which - for the birds of the Suffolk Owl Sanctuary - means coming out of the aviaries and back into training for the busy flying season ahead.

Over the winter months the birds which participate in the spectacular summer flying demonstrations relax in their spacious aviaries. They moult and rest after a busy six months illustrating their various aerial characteristics as part of our mission to inform the public at large about the need for the ongoing conservation of similar species in the wild.

New member of staff Mary helps Liz induct a pair of our Red Kites to the 2016 weight watchers club!

After being left to “do their own raptor thing” over this dormant period, the birds are once again ready to work with the falconers to perfect a dazzling displays for visitors. So far this year, the following birds to have come out of the aviaries: Birkett (Great Horned Owl), Mir (Steppe Eagle), Templeton and Ash (Common Buzzards), April (Lanner Falcon) and Lock (Lannerette).

It takes a matter of weeks to bring a bird back to flying condition and the process starts with addressing some weight issues! The birds’ flying weight is necessarily lower than their dormant weight and their body condition is similarly at variance.

In order for a bird to return to the falconer’s glove it must be hungry and motivated by food, so slimming is on the cards for all the winter couch potatoes!!

Once the birds are returned to their slimline form, their flying equipment must be renewed. Each bird will be fitted with soft leather jesses attached to its leg with anklets. A leash can then be fitted to the jesses in order for the bird to sit out on the weatherings waiting to fly, instead of in an aviary.

Catching up the birds to attach their equipment also offers the falconers an opportunity to check the birds’ general condition. If necessary, beaks can be coped and/or talons trimmed.

Coping (or trimming) beaks can be necessary in captive bred birds. In the wild, birds cope their own beaks by breaking open bones and tearing meat from the bones of their prey. In captivity, they do not have this opportunity so, as well as providing material in the aviaries for birds to cope naturally, the falconers must occasionally clip or file a beak into shape. If a beak was left to grow unchecked it could become so long that it would crack, causing the bird considerable pain.

Ash's beak is very carefully filed - if it grew too long it may split and cause pain to the bird

Once all the flying team birds have passed this annual M.O.T. they are ready to embark on the season’s programme of activities once again.

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Out With The Old!

The winter months bring an opportunity for the staff of the owl sanctuary to carry out an annual maintenance audit. From this they can ascertain what needs to be done to renovate and refresh current facilities and to decide upon new developments for the following year.

As all the aviaries and grounds are furnished in natural materials, an ongoing programme of maintenance and renewal is embarked on every winter. A new intake of birds for the 2016 season also necessitates new aviary builds and the extension of existing stock. 

To these ends, the falconry team are now adept at turning their hands to building design work, carpentry, construction, painting, roofing and landscaping, so every year the talented team undertake more improvements to the site and 2016 is no exception.

Since last October, an impressive array of tasks has been completed. To date: the weatherings have been re-roofed and trimmed, the hospital has been painted, the falconers’ hut has been remodelled and the mews room renovated.

Head Falconer Matt gets down & dirty as he concretes in the new barrier supports

Volunteer Peter makes a valiant attempt to find the pole vault as he specs out the design of the new barriers

This contender for "World's Most Exciting Photograph" at least shows you that re-furbishing the hospital exterior has not been forgotten

The safety barriers around the whole site have also been replaced and the height raised from 2 to 3 feet.  This rise has not only afforded visitors a comfortable “leaning” facility whilst observing the birds, but it also allows new information boards with Braille overlays to be accommodated on the barriers at a perfect height for reading.

Other jobs have included some selective shrub clearance has opened up a new viewing lawn next to the falconers’ hut - this will be used specifically for baby birds to become accustomed to visitors, allowing plenty of space between “them" and the "us”! The debris from this project has been recycled into wood chipping for replenishing the paths in the Woodland Walk. And there's more… the boxes holding the stamps for the children’s Owl Safari have also been replaced, the dog kennels painted and new fencing and a gate incorporated into this corner of the compound.

Our next big project for completion before the season starts in a few weeks time is the building of a new buzzard block. The old block will be renovated and an extension added. The latter will feature additional ledges so that the buzzards can roost higher up in the aviary, as is their preference. 

The Red Kites will be housed at the end of the new block, close to the flying ground, and will incorporate special hatches allowing them to be flown straight out of the aviary - quite a spectacle for visitors to enjoy.

Maintenance of the site does not stop once the flying season starts - it is an ongoing issue which throws up constant challenges.  However, due to the generosity of public donors, staff are always able to meet these challenges with enthusiasm and foresight - we would like to "Thank You" all for your continuing support in this respect.

The winter months bring an opportunity for the staff of the owl sanctuary to carry out an annual maintenance audit. From this they can ascertain what needs to be done to renovate and refresh current facilities and to decide upon new developments for the following year.

As all the aviaries and grounds are furnished in natural materials, an ongoing programme of maintenance and renewal is embarked on every winter. A new intake of birds for the 2016 season also necessitates new aviary builds and the extension of existing stock. 

To these ends, the falconry team are now adept at turning their hands to building design work, carpentry, construction, painting, roofing and landscaping, so every year the talented team undertake more improvements to the site and 2016 is no exception.

Since last October, an impressive array of tasks has been completed. To date: the weatherings have been re-roofed and trimmed, the hospital has been painted, the falconers’ hut has been remodelled and the mews room renovated.

Head Falconer Matt gets down & dirty as he concretes in the new barrier supports

Volunteer Peter makes a valiant attempt to find the
pole vault as he specs out the design of the new barriers

This contender for "World's Most Exciting Photograph" at least shows you that re-furbishing the hospital exterior has not been forgotten

The safety barriers around the whole site have also been replaced and the height raised from 2 to 3 feet.  This rise has not only afforded visitors a comfortable “leaning” facility whilst observing the birds, but it also allows new information boards with Braille overlays to be accommodated on the barriers at a perfect height for reading.

Other jobs have included some selective shrub clearance has opened up a new viewing lawn next to the falconers’ hut - this will be used specifically for baby birds to become accustomed to visitors, allowing plenty of space between “them" and the "us”! The debris from this project has been recycled into wood chipping for replenishing the paths in the Woodland Walk. And there's more… the boxes holding the stamps for the children’s Owl Safari have also been replaced, the dog kennels painted and new fencing and a gate incorporated into this corner of the compound.

Our next big project for completion before the season starts in a few weeks time is the building of a new buzzard block. The old block will be renovated and an extension added. The latter will feature additional ledges so that the buzzards can roost higher up in the aviary, as is their preference. 

The Red Kites will be housed at the end of the new block, close to the flying ground, and will incorporate special hatches allowing them to be flown straight out of the aviary - quite a spectacle for visitors to enjoy.

Maintenance of the site does not stop once the flying season starts - it is an ongoing issue which throws up constant challenges.  However, due to the generosity of public donors, staff are always able to meet these challenges with enthusiasm and foresight - we would like to "Thank You" all for your continuing support in this respect.

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Cobweb goes a' visiting

Last week Liz and Mary went to visit the lovely residents at Mills Meadow Residential Care Home in Framlingham, Suffolk with our own bird residents, Cobweb the Barn Owl and Aukland the Southern Boobook Owl, native to Australia and New Zealand.

In the winter months, when it's not so busy with visitors at the Centre, we like to get out and about as much as we can, taking our story about the need for the care & conservation of Britain's wild owl species with us. Visiting residential centres like this is very rewarding - your audience is always attentive and appreciative - and often come up with a fund of their own stories about wildlife in the countryside.

We had a great time speaking about what we do at the Sanctuary, as well all of the weird and wonderful things that Owls do. Everyone had a fabulous time with one resident exclaiming 'They're so cute, I could cry!' See the pictures below - please get in touch on 0345 680 7897if you would like us to visit you in the East Anglian area.

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Cobweb goes a' visiting

Liz & Cobweb 'on the road' during our week visiting local care homes

Last week Liz and Mary went to visit the lovely residents at Mills Meadow Residential Care Home in Framlingham, Suffolk with our own bird residents, Cobweb the Barn Owl and Aukland the Southern Boobook Owl, native to Australia and New Zealand. 

In the winter months, when it's not so busy with visitors at the Centre, we like to get out and about as much as we can, taking our story about the need for the care & conservation of Britain's wild owl species with us. Visiting residential centres like this is very rewarding - your audience is always attentive and appreciative - and often come up with a fund of their own stories about wildlife in the countryside.

We had a great time speaking about what we do at the Sanctuary, as well all of the weird and wonderful things that Owls do. Everyone had a fabulous time with one resident exclaiming 'They're so cute, I could cry!' See the pictures below - please get in touch on 0345 680 7897if you would like us to visit you in the East Anglian area.

S.O.S. 2015 Photo Competition Winners

The SOS 2015 Photo Competition.

Firstly, please accept our apologies for the late announcement of the results of our annual Photo Competition - the participants have all been very patient in waiting for the outcome - thank you!

Secondly, it was a difficult task to find the winners because after all the on-line and personal votes had been cast and totted up there was more than one ’tied’ result. In fairness to all, we have decided to award prizes to both or all winners in such situations. All prize winners have been notified separately by email.

Thirdly, we would like to express our thanks to all who took part with such enthusiasm. To the winners - congratulations! And to all the other entrants, commiserations - but please try again next year.

JUNIOR CLASS

1st Prize: Kieran Judd - "Innocence"

Joint 2nd Prize: Megan Butcher - "Unruffled!"

Joint 2nd Prize: Harry Myhill - "Feathered Friend"

3rd Prize: Cameron Johnson - "Simply Perfect"

SENIOR CLASS

Joint 1st Prize: Adrian Barnard - "Afternoon Delight"

Joint 1st Prize: Ali Alsawaf - "Still Life"

2nd Prize: Jack Crouch - "Over My Shoulder"

Joint 3rd Prize: John Ellison- "Kissing Cousins"

Joint 3rd Prize: Mark Warner - "Piercing Gaze"

Commended: Katie Kemp - "Am I Cute or what…?"

Commended: Mark Waller - "Royal"

Commended: Colin James - "Poetry in Motion"

Commended: Lynda George - "The Eyes Have It"

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If at first you don't succeed...

Throughout every season of the year, injured wild owls are  brought into our Raptor Hospital.

An initial assessment of their condition gives an indication of how long their stay at the sanctuary is likely to be - on average, about 4 weeks. In every instance, staff will always go the extra mile to attempt a successful outcome - even in cases where fate seems to have decided otherwise!

Now fully recovered, this young Barn Owl has been successfully released with wing feathers all intact

The odds certainly seemed to be stacked against a forlorn Barn Owl brought in for treatment earlier in the year. It was back in May that the Barn Owl first arrived at the sanctuary, having been rescued by Lee Patterson. Lee had discovered the injured bird in a ditch in his village - it was very cold, very wet and both wings were bloodied. He was able to catch the bird up (a sure sign that things were not as they should be) and keep it warm, dry and quiet until S.O.S.staff were able to collect it.

On arrival at the sanctuary’s hospital facility, a close inspection of its injuries suggested that it had damaged both wings by banging them repeatedly against wire or netting. As the owl was discovered on farmland, it was likely that it had become caught in rabbit fencing and had persisted in struggling in order to free itself.

The extent of the owl’s injuries necessitated an examination by the vet, who also administered antibiotics and cleaned and dressed the wounds on both wings. The damage had also compromised the bird's ability to hunt, so the owl was suffering from severe starvation -  the prognosis was not good.

Despite regular crop tubing (introducing food directly into the stomach via a tube) a successful outcome was not a forgone conclusion - the bird was going to need long term intensive treatment. A dedicated member of staff, Maz Robinson, took the owl into her care and proceeded to build up its weight and condition with regular feeding and lots of TLC.

After several weeks, the wing bandages were removed and the owl was able to start building strength and flight confidence in a secluded rehabilitation aviary. Things were starting to look positive. A release date was set for 10th. June and Lee was made ready to undertake this, in the vicinity in which he had originally found the owl.

At the eleventh hour, however, disaster struck! On catching up the bird for transportation, Maz was shocked to find that it had suddenly dropped half the flight feathers on one of its healed wings. Without two healthy, fully feathered wings, the Barn Owl could not be released - in order to survive, it needed to be in optimum condition.

Staff hoped that once the owl had completed its annual moult, its flight feathers would grow back. There was a chance however, that the feather follicles had been permanently damaged and the wings would never be perfect again. The only solution was to return the owl to the aviary…..and wait!!

FIVE MONTHS later, the Barn Owl was proudly sporting new feathers and was raring to go! Lee returned to the sanctuary to collect the owl - now christened Snoop by his young daughter! - for release back to its old territory.

Happy ending! Lee says farewell just prior to release

A keen conservationist, Lee has shared the owl’s story and progress on a Facebook page entitled Rattlesden Wildlife Flora and Fauna and has inspired a new interest in wildlife in many of the residents of his village.  Go to this page for more on the release of the owl which, after six and a half months, now holds the record for the sanctuary’s longest hospital stay!!

If at first you don't succeed...

Now fully recovered, this young Barn Owl has been successfully released with wing feathers all intact

Throughout every season of the year, injured wild owls are brought into our Raptor Hospital.

An initial assessment of their condition gives an indication of how long their stay at the sanctuary is likely to be - on average, about 4 weeks. In every instance, staff will always go the extra mile to attempt a successful outcome - even in cases where fate seems to have decided otherwise!

The odds certainly seemed to be stacked against a forlorn Barn Owl brought in for treatment earlier in the year. It was back in May that the Barn Owl first arrived at the sanctuary, having been rescued by Lee Patterson. Lee had discovered the injured bird in a ditch in his village - it was very cold, very wet and both wings were bloodied. He was able to catch the bird up (a sure sign that things were not as they should be) and keep it warm, dry and quiet until S.O.S.staff were able to collect it.

On arrival at the sanctuary’s hospital facility, a close inspection of its injuries suggested that it had damaged both wings by banging them repeatedly against wire or netting. As the owl was discovered on farmland, it was likely that it had become caught in rabbit fencing and had persisted in struggling in order to free itself.

The extent of the owl’s injuries necessitated an examination by the vet, who also administered antibiotics and cleaned and dressed the wounds on both wings. The damage had also compromised the bird's ability to hunt, so the owl was suffering from severe starvation - the prognosis was not good.

Despite regular crop tubing (introducing food directly into the stomach via a tube) a successful outcome was not a forgone conclusion - the bird was going to need long term intensive treatment. A dedicated member of staff, Maz Robinson, took the owl into her care and proceeded to build up its weight and condition with regular feeding and lots of TLC.

After several weeks, the wing bandages were removed and the owl was able to start building strength and flight confidence in a secluded rehabilitation aviary. Things were starting to look positive. A release date was set for 10th. June and Lee was made ready to undertake this, in the vicinity in which he had originally found the owl.

At the eleventh hour, however, disaster struck! On catching up the bird for transportation, Maz was shocked to find that it had suddenly dropped half the flight feathers on one of its healed wings. Without two healthy, fully feathered wings, the Barn Owl could not be released - in order to survive, it needed to be in optimum condition.

Staff hoped that once the owl had completed its annual moult, its flight feathers would grow back. There was a chance however, that the feather follicles had been permanently damaged and the wings would never be perfect again. The only solution was to return the owl to the aviary…..and wait!!

FIVE MONTHS later, the Barn Owl was proudly sporting new feathers and was raring to go! Lee returned to the sanctuary to collect the owl - now christened Snoop by his young daughter! - for release back to its old territory.

Happy ending! Lee says farewell just prior to release

A keen conservationist, Lee has shared the owl’s story and progress on a Facebook page entitled Rattlesden Wildlife Flora and Fauna and has inspired a new interest in wildlife in many of the residents of his village. Go to this page for more on the release of the owl which, after six and a half months, now holds the record for the sanctuary’s longest hospital stay!!

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Moulting Mayhem

During the summer, the Suffolk Owl Sanctuary’s resident owls and other birds of prey demonstrate their exciting aerial skills to crowds of visitors. During this time most spend their days in the open-fronted weatherings and their nights in the mews room.

However, now the shorter autumn days are upon us the talented flying team are released into spacious, naturalistic aviaries to relax for the winter. During this “down time” the birds will succumb to their annual moult.

A moult is when the birds gradually replace their old plumage with new feathers.

Taiga normally presents a pristine appearance

...but in moult has a more bedraggled look about him

Birds’ feathers consist of keratin, the same substance that constitutes fingernails. It has been described as a “miracle substance” as it is very tough and strong, but also lightweight and flexible. Despite these qualities, over time, a bird’s feathers can become damaged - by rubbing together in flight, escaping predators, brushing against tree branches and by constant entering and leaving the nest during the breeding season. New feathers are necessary for efficient flight and insulation.

Common to all birds, wild or captive bred, is the timing of the start of the moult - this always take place after parent birds have raised a brood. Once the young are fledged and can take care of themselves, the parents’ moult can begin.

The rate at which owls and other birds of prey moult depends upon the weather and their body condition: in order for old or damaged feathers to fall out, the bird’s condition must be adequate to compensate for loss of plumage. If a bird is not fat enough to be well insulated, then it will not shed feathers until it has put on weight.

At the sanctuary, all the birds are well fed and cared for, so the owls tend to moult more quickly and neatly than their counterparts in the wild. The process generally takes 3 or 4 months to complete, though this can vary from bird to bird. For example, Cobweb the Barn Owl is a heavy moulter early in the year. Consequently, he cannot take his place in the early flying displays at Easter, but joins them later in the summer season.

The falcons and hawks moult symmetrically, in order that their flight remains smooth and aerodynamic  - an uneven loss of feathers would cause them to wobble and loose height and speed when flying.

The first image shows Cecil our Spectacled Owl as a youngster; and the second, as he looks today. The change did not take place overnight but took a couple of seasons to achieve

The eagles moult more slowly than the smaller birds, as the loss of too many of their large feathers at once would compromise their hunting skills. They lose about a quarter of their feathers annually, so a complete moult will take about four years.

In the wild, owls moult much more slowly, as they need to keep flying and hunting throughout the moult - a flightless wild owl would starve to death or fall victim to a predator if it were compromised by the loss of too many feathers at once. Wild birds will lose a few flight feathers each year until, over the course of 3 or 4 years, their plumage is completely replaced, which accounts for the discrepancy in colour in young, juvenile and adult plumage in many species of owls and other birds of prey.

Having been born covered in pale, fluffy down, the birds gradually attain their mature dark feathers and distinctive adult markings. This can result from just one moult, in the case of most owls, to four or five moults for large eagles. The head of a young spectacled owl, for example, is completely white. A full moult will be necessary before plumage settles into the characteristic adult pattern of dark head with white spectacles.

Similarly, an immature Bald Eagle will not display its iconic white (bald) head until it has passed through five annual moults.

The change in appearance between a young bird and a fully mature one is dramatically illustrated by the Bald Eagle - you can just see the white head dress beginning to appear on Lincoln's plumage

Some of the sanctuary’s birds may, therefore, look slightly “scruffier” than usual after the breeding season but, hopefully visitors will appreciate that this transitionary period is necessary in order for all the birds to look their very best during the summer season.

Moulting Mayhem

During the summer, the Suffolk Owl Sanctuary’s resident owls and other birds of prey demonstrate their exciting aerial skills to crowds of visitors. During this time most spend their days in the open-fronted weatherings and their nights in the mews room.

However, now the shorter autumn days are upon us the talented flying team are released into spacious, naturalistic aviaries to relax for the winter. During this “down time” the birds will succumb to their annual moult.

A moult is when the birds gradually replace their old plumage with new feathers.

Taiga normally presents a pristine appearance but in moult has a more bedraggled look about him!

Birds’ feathers consist of keratin, the same substance that constitutes fingernails. It has been described as a “miracle substance” as it is very tough and strong, but also lightweight and flexible. Despite these qualities, over time, a bird’s feathers can become damaged - by rubbing together in flight, escaping predators, brushing against tree branches and by constant entering and leaving the nest during the breeding season. New feathers are necessary for efficient flight and insulation.

Common to all birds, wild or captive bred, is the timing of the start of the moult - this always take place after parent birds have raised a brood. Once the young are fledged and can take care of themselves, the parents’ moult can begin.

The rate at which owls and other birds of prey moult depends upon the weather and their body condition: in order for old or damaged feathers to fall out, the bird’s condition must be adequate to compensate for loss of plumage. If a bird is not fat enough to be well insulated, then it will not shed feathers until it has put on weight.

At the sanctuary, all the birds are well fed and cared for, so the owls tend to moult more quickly and neatly than their counterparts in the wild. The process generally takes 3 or 4 months to complete, though this can vary from bird to bird. For example, Cobweb the Barn Owl is a heavy moulter early in the year. Consequently, he cannot take his place in the early flying displays at Easter, but joins them later in the summer season.

The falcons and hawks moult symmetrically, in order that their flight remains smooth and aerodynamic  - an uneven loss of feathers would cause them to wobble and loose height and speed when flying.

At the top, Cecil our Spectacled Owl as a youngster; and on the bottom, as he looks today. The change did not take place overnight but took a couple of seasons to achieve

The eagles moult more slowly than the smaller birds, as the loss of too many of their large feathers at once would compromise their hunting skills. They lose about a quarter of their feathers annually, so a complete moult will take about four years.

In the wild, owls moult much more slowly, as they need to keep flying and hunting throughout the moult - a flightless wild owl would starve to death or fall victim to a predator if it were compromised by the loss of too many feathers at once. Wild birds will lose a few flight feathers each year until, over the course of 3 or 4 years, their plumage is completely replaced, which accounts for the discrepancy in colour in young, juvenile and adult plumage in many species of owls and other birds of prey.

Having been born covered in pale, fluffy down, the birds gradually attain their mature dark feathers and distinctive adult markings. This can result from just one moult, in the case of most owls, to four or five moults for large eagles. The head of a young spectacled owl, for example, is completely white. A full moult will be necessary before plumage settles into the characteristic adult pattern of dark head with white spectacles.

Similarly, an immature Bald Eagle will not display its iconic white (bald) head until it has passed through five annual moults.

The change in appearance between a young bird and a fully mature one is dramatically illustrated by the Bald Eagle
- you can just see the white head dress beginning to appear on Lincoln's plumage

Some of the sanctuary’s birds may, therefore, look slightly “scruffier” than usual after the breeding season but, hopefully visitors will appreciate that this transitionary period is necessary in order for all the birds to look their very best during the summer season.

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BGT - this Bird's Got Talent!

Lena's is a natural when it comes to scavenging...

The Sanctuary’s flying displays - which fulfil our obligation to illustrate and educate the general public in regards of the various capabilities of varying birds of prey - have always been spectacular affairs. However, the talent level was cranked up a notch this year by a new addition to the 2015 team.

Zena is a captive bred nine year old Striated Cara-Cara who arrived at the sanctuary from a private breeder in Berkshire.

These birds are native to Chile, Tiera del Fuego and the Falkland Islands and, due to their role as scavengers, are an essential element in the ecosystems of these regions. Cara-Caras live off carrion - in their native environment this would include Rockhopper penguins and dead sheep. Their taste for the latter resulted in persecution of the bird for many years by Falklands farmers. Happily these issues have now been managed to enable birds and farmers to live amicably side by side.

She leaves no stone unturned in the hunt for food...

The Cara-Cara has superb colour vision and is often motivated to steal red coloured objects such as clothing or handkerchiefs - probably because red is the colour of the flesh they are constantly searching for. Unlike owls, they are extremely intelligent birds and in the wild will search diligently for food sources by overturning rocks, digging in the ground and raiding dustbins in order to extract a tasty morsel.

The S.O.S. flying displays gave us the opportunity to showcase the hunting traits of Zena and her exploratory skills, which added an extra element of entertainment to the demonstrations we give to visitors!

The falconers attempt to simulate Zena’s natural environment by providing obstacles she has to navigate in order to source her food. She is adept at turning over plant pots, foraging in dustbins and exploring drainpipes in order to uncover her lunch - antics which have caused much amusement amongst her audience!

… even scurrying down pipes to find that last morsel!

In sharing their intimate experience of this fascinating bird of prey, the falconers also hope that visitors will discover a new avian favourite and feel free to photograph her at work. It is also very important that during rest periods in her aviary, Zena is properly stimulated so she is supplied with a variety of toys and objects to enrich her environment, when she is enjoying “down time” after the flying displays.

Our staff are looking forward to some exciting developments in their work with Zena for many years to come - we will keep blog readers updated regularly!

BGT - this Bird's Got Talent!

The Sanctuary’s flying displays - which fulfil our obligation to illustrate and educate the general public in regards of the various capabilities of varying birds of prey - have always been spectacular affairs. However, the talent level was cranked up a notch this year by a new addition to the 2015 team.

Zena is a captive bred nine year old Striated Cara-Cara who arrived at the sanctuary from a private breeder in Berkshire. 

She leaves no stone unturned in the hunt for food…

These birds are native to Chile, Tiera del Fuego and the Falkland Islands and, due to their role as scavengers, are an essential element in the ecosystems of these regions. Cara-Caras live off carrion - in their native environment this would include Rockhopper penguins and dead sheep. Their taste for the latter resulted in persecution of the bird for many years by Falklands farmers. Happily these issues have now been managed to enable birds and farmers to live amicably side by side.

… even scurrying down pipes to find that last morsel!

The Cara-Cara has superb colour vision and is often motivated to steal red coloured objects such as clothing or handkerchiefs - probably because red is the colour of the flesh they are constantly searching for. Unlike owls, they are extremely intelligent birds and in the wild will search diligently for food sources by overturning rocks, digging in the ground and raiding dustbins in order to extract a tasty morsel.

The S.O.S. flying displays gave us the opportunity to showcase the hunting traits of Zena and her exploratory skills, which added an extra element of entertainment to the demonstrations we give to visitors!

The falconers attempt to simulate Zena’s natural environment by providing obstacles she has to navigate in order to source her food. She is adept at turning over plant pots, foraging in dustbins and exploring drainpipes in order to uncover her lunch - antics which have caused much amusement amongst her audience!

In sharing their intimate experience of this fascinating bird of prey, the falconers also hope that visitors will discover a new avian favourite and feel free to photograph her at work. It is also very important that during rest periods in her aviary, Zena is properly stimulated so she is supplied with a variety of toys and objects to enrich her environment, when she is enjoying “down time” after the flying displays.

Our staff are looking forward to some exciting developments in their work with Zena for many years to come - we will keep blog readers updated regularly!

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All Change!

Part of our remit as a Charity is to inform and educate visitors to our HQ about the diversity of wild birds of prey in the UK, particularly with regard to their care & future conservation. To do this, we keep a team of captive-bred birds at Stonham who are accustomed to working with our falconers as they put on a display for visitors to the centre. This gives us the opportunity to illustrate the various attributes of the differing species as they are in flight as the falconers give their commentary about the habitats and lifestyles of the birds.

A Harris' Hawk shows off his aerial prowess on a field day course

So, with the changing of the seasons from Summer to Autumn comes the changing situation of many of the Suffolk Owl Sanctuary’s resident owls and other birds of prey. After wowing audiences in the spectacular flying displays during the summer months, the birds which are members of the summer flying team are offered a well earned rest in spacious, naturalistic aviaries where they can moult over the winter months.

It is then the turn of the falcons and hawks which are active between October and March, to make an appearance on the weatherings. This team of birds need to be brought back into work, having spent the summer resting, so October is a busy and challenging month for the sanctuary’s falconry team.

The Harris' Hawk - one of the most social birds of prey in terms of working with humans - sports a rich, russet plumage

In the main, the winter team consists of Harris’ Hawks which will take part in field days and falconry courses, with the addition of two or three owls to assist with the ever popular Understanding Owls experiences which continue at the Sanctuary throughout the year. 

When the new team of birds are taken out of the aviaries, they are too heavy to begin structured work straight away. The falconers’ first job, therefore, is to gradually bring down their weight until they are light enough to start training.

Resting weight and flying weight can differ by an average of 4 ounces for a Harris’ Hawk. That’s approximately 15% of its body weight, so the birds would be severely compromised if the falconers attempted to fly them without reducing their weight first.

Once the birds’ weight is reduced and on target, they are fitted with new jesses and anklets to ensure that the falconers can hold the birds securely without placing undue strain on their limbs.  

Equipped thus, the birds can commence training for flying to and from the glove. 

The first element of this is fist jumping: a perch is placed on the ground and the bird is encouraged to fly vertically up to the falconer’s fist for food. This starts to rebuild fitness levels  and the repetitive calling to the fist reminds the birds that the glove is the location of their reward of food and should be the focus of their attention.

A new trainee bird awaits it's turn at the jump test with Andy & Matt

Once this behaviour is re-established, the falconers move on to exercising the birds outside, on the flying ground. In this situation, the birds are encouraged to fly further and more freely on a creance or long cord until they become accustomed to navigating their way freely around the flying ground once more.

Although, as with all animals, training is an ongoing process, the birds’ progress from aviary to free flight to the fist generally takes around 6 to 8 weeks.

The Goshawk is a handsome bird with piecing eyes and formidable powers of flight

The winter team will then continue to work with the falconers throughout the winter weather - those birds not required for courses, visits to schools, or other activities still need to be exercised daily.

The falconry team are always happy to welcome visitors to watch these lunchtime exercise sessions and engage with them on any aspect of the birds’ performance and training.

Owl Together Now

The services of the S.O.S. Raptor Hospital are constantly in demand and although its busiest season (with baby casualties & orhans) is late spring, cases continue to stream in through every season of the year.

In the middle of July, a call for help was received from the owner of a Suffolk farm which had suffered tree damage over the course of one particularly windy night.

One of the large trees which fell in the storm contained an owl nest box - home to a young barn owl family. Two young barn owlets were still within the box when it fell and appeared to have been abandoned by the frightened adults.

The youngsters were transported to the Raptor Hospital at the owl sanctuary and, after close examination, were found to be suffering from cold, wet and, understandably, shock! After a couple of days of warmth, rest and nourishment, the youngsters were transferred to a hack box in a peaceful location on the edge of a meadow on a local farm. Here they would be able to build their strength and confidence in preparation for striking out into the habitat independently.

A week later, the S.O.S. Raptor Hospital received a call for assistance from a Norfolk farmer. A river ran through his arable farm and one morning he noticed a young barn owl perched on the bridge spanning the waterway. As he passed by the same spot each day, the farmer kept a weather eye on the owlet to ascertain whether it was fit and well and part of a family group.

Them Norfolk folk always have to show off! One of the youngsters stretching it's wings in the hack box.

The young owl remained on the bridge, seemingly alone and by the fourth day of observation, the farmer concluded that it probably needed help. He managed to catch up the bird without a fuss - a sure sign that things were not as they should be - and brought it into the Raptor Hospital for assessment. The owlet appeared to be uninjured, but weak and hungry, so plenty of rest, quiet, food and TLC was prescribed.

After 3 days of close observation in the hospital, this youngster was also deemed well enough to be prepared for release.

The two Suffolk barn owls were still enjoying the protection of their hack box and it was thought that they may appreciate some company, so the Norfolk owl was introduced to them and invited to share their accommodation. Luckily, local derby behaviour did not ensue and the owls all settled down comfortably together until their final release in mid August.

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Owl Together Now

The services of the S.O.S. Raptor Hospital are constantly in demand and although its busiest season (with baby casualties & orhans) is late spring, cases continue to stream in through every season of the year.

In the middle of July, a call for help was received from the owner of a Suffolk farm which had suffered tree damage over the course of one particularly windy night.

One of the large trees which fell in the storm contained an owl nest box - home to a young barn owl family. Two young barn owlets were still within the box when it fell and appeared to have been abandoned by the frightened adults.

The youngsters were transported to the Raptor Hospital at the owl sanctuary and, after close examination, were found to be suffering from cold, wet and, understandably, shock! After a couple of days of warmth, rest and nourishment, the youngsters were transferred to a hack box in a peaceful location on the edge of a meadow on a local farm. Here they would be able to build their strength and confidence in preparation for striking out into the habitat independently.

A week later, the S.O.S. Raptor Hospital received a call for assistance from a Norfolk farmer. A river ran through his arable farm and one morning he noticed a young barn owl perched on the bridge spanning the waterway. As he passed by the same spot each day, the farmer kept a weather eye on the owlet to ascertain whether it was fit and well and part of a family group.

Them Norfolk folk always have to show off! 
One of the youngsters stretching it's wings in the hack box.

The young owl remained on the bridge, seemingly alone and by the fourth day of observation, the farmer concluded that it probably needed help. He managed to catch up the bird without a fuss - a sure sign that things were not as they should be - and brought it into the Raptor Hospital for assessment. The owlet appeared to be uninjured, but weak and hungry, so plenty of rest, quiet, food and TLC was prescribed.

After 3 days of close observation in the hospital, this youngster was also deemed well enough to be prepared for release.

The two Suffolk barn owls were still enjoying the protection of their hack box and it was thought that they may appreciate some company, so the Norfolk owl was introduced to them and invited to share their accommodation. Luckily, local derby behaviour did not ensue and the owls all settled down comfortably together until their final release in mid August.

First-Time Visitor

Suffolk??? … Never heard of the place!

Earlier this month we received a casualty into our Raptor Hospital the likes of which it had never seen before!

A call was made to us early in the day to say that an unidentified bird of prey had been found by a lady walking on a nearby airfield. The bird did not have obvious injuries (such as a wing hanging down or difficulty walking) but its tolerance of humans in close proximity suggested that it was in need of assistance, so the rescuer was able to gather the bird up and visit her local vet.

The vet ascertained that there were no physical injuries but that the bird was suffering from starvation and that, in the right hands, the bird would stand a very good chance of complete recovery. After crop tubing the casualty to kick start the digestive system, the vet transferred the mystery bird to our specialist facilities for intensive care.

On admitting the patient to our hospital, General Manager Andy was stunned to find that the bird was a Rough Legged Buzzard - the first of its kind to come into our care. A migratory bird, only a handful come to the U.K. from Scandinavia every autumn, mainly to locations on the east coast.

Occasional large influxes of the species do appear, usually as a result of a particularly good breeding season which then causes pressure on food sources in the homeland. The birds will then migrate to coastal marshes and farmland along the coasts of Yorkshire, Northumberland and Norfolk. The Rough Legged Buzzard is lighter in colour than the familiar Common Buzzard with longer wings and a paler head. It is prone to hover over its prey than the latter and also has heavily feathered legs, hence its name.

Now settled into the  Raptor Hospital, the patient is being fed little and often in order to build up its weight. If progress is satisfactory, the bird will then be moved out to a quiet, secluded rehabilitation aviary for a week to ten days. Strength and confidence allowing, the buzzard will then be released as close as possible to where it was found - not only will this site provide the best habitat for its continued health, but it may well have a lonely mate within the vicinity. 

After spending time with us, we look forward to releasing this handsome rare visitor back to the coastal wetlands

First-Time Visitor

Earlier this month we received a casualty into our Raptor Hospital the likes of which it had never seen before!

A call was made to us early in the day to say that an unidentified bird of prey had been found by a lady walking on a nearby airfield. The bird did not have obvious injuries (such as a wing hanging down or difficulty walking) but its tolerance of humans in close proximity suggested that it was in need of assistance, so the rescuer was able to gather the bird up and visit her local vet.

Suffolk??? … Never heard of the place!

The vet ascertained that there were no physical injuries but that the bird was suffering from starvation and that, in the right hands, the bird would stand a very good chance of complete recovery. After crop tubing the casualty to kick start the digestive system, the vet transferred the mystery bird to our specialist facilities for intensive care.

On admitting the patient to our hospital, General Manager Andy was stunned to find that the bird was a Rough Legged Buzzard - the first of its kind to come into our care. A migratory bird, only a handful come to the U.K. from Scandinavia every autumn, mainly to locations on the east coast.

Occasional large influxes of the species do appear, usually as a result of a particularly good breeding season which then causes pressure on food sources in the homeland. The birds will then migrate to coastal marshes and farmland along the coasts of Yorkshire, Northumberland and Norfolk. The Rough Legged Buzzard is lighter in colour than the familiar Common Buzzard with longer wings and a paler head. It is prone to hover over its prey than the latter and also has heavily feathered legs, hence its name.

Now settled into the Raptor Hospital, the patient is being fed little and often in order to build up its weight. If progress is satisfactory, the bird will then be moved out to a quiet, secluded rehabilitation aviary for a week to ten days. Strength and confidence allowing, the buzzard will then be released as close as possible to where it was found - not only will this site provide the best habitat for its continued health, but it may well have a lonely mate within the vicinity. 

After spending time with us, we look forward to releasing this handsome rare visitor back to the coastal wetlands

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An Inspector Calls...

Twice a year, we are visited by local veterinary surgeon Paul Canham to undertake an inspection necessary for the granting of a Zoo Licence by Mid Suffolk District Council. Without the licence, the Sanctuary would not be able to function in its current form, as it could not display its wild animals to the visiting public.

There are criteria which must be met before a licence can be granted; the Sanctuary must

*help educate people about diversity
*offer suitable habitat for the types of animals kept
*have a high standard of animal care
*have measures in place to prevent animals escaping

The Vet Inspection provides feedback to the sanctuary and the council on standards of accommodation and care and supplies a valuable benchmark for the quality of facilities. There are three elements to the inspection; animals, aviaries and hospital.

The first category requires that  animal husbandry is of an excellent standard. The vet ascertains this by evaluating the health of all the owls and other birds of prey on site, plus the red squirrels. He must satisfy himself that they are physically fit and psychologically healthy - alert, contented, well fed, with well conditioned plumage and clean beaks and talons. They must have access to clean water and their living quarters must be clean and hygienic.

Lily the Little Owl recommends her accommodation to vet

Secondly, the vet assesses the standard of the birds’ and animals’ accommodation. The aviaries must be weatherproof and offer enough space for the birds to feel secure but not cramped. Nest boxes must be dry and solid and foliage within the aviaries non toxic. Although breeding aviaries cannot be disturbed, they still require clean water and the removal of organic debris after feeding.

The third element of the visit requires that the vet inspects the standard of the hospital facilities. He checks the drugs cupboard contents - that storage protocol is being followed and that no drugs are retained beyond their expiry date. Detailed records must also be kept of each hospital admission - the case, its treatment and outcome - and stored securely. The rehabilitation aviaries are also inspected to ensure that they offer appropriate clean, dry, quiet and spacious accommodation for recuperation.

Vet Paul Canham checks the hospital drugs cabinet with Manager Andy Hulm

After his visit, the vet wrote a report of his findings and submitted it to S.O.S. - a few minor tweaks were required and once completed, the findings formed the basis of a letter of satisfaction which he forwarded to the Environmental Officer of Mid Suffolk District Council for the subsequent successful retention of the Zoo Licence.