Feeling under the feather but buzzard goes back to the wild thanks to the RSPCA

A WATERLOGGED buzzard is back in the wild after he was nursed back to health by RSPCA Cymru.

A railway worker found the buzzard next to the railway line in the Wolf’s Castle / Welsh Hook area of Pembrokeshire on January 29 – seeming distressed, hopping along and not flying.

The buzzard was taken into the care of the RSPCA – who gave the bird a thorough checking over, and fortunately found no fractures or major causes for concern. However, the bird was quite water-logged and smelled of slurry.

Wildlife specialists from the charity suspect the bird had been unable to dry out properly after the recent heavy rain and found herself grounded.

Fortunately, after a period of rest and rehabilitation in the care of the RSPCA, the bird was ready to be returned to the wild – and was released at the same location she was first found last Monday (1 February).

RSPCA animal rescue officer Ellie West said: “This poor bird was spotted in quite a bad way. She had no fractures or serious welfare problems, but was very water-logged and we suspect she had become grounded after the recent heavy rain.

“We sprayed her a little with water to encourage self-cleaning and preening – which worked really well and she cleaned up very quickly over the weekend.

“Fortunately, after some rest and recuperation in our care, this buzzard was soon a lot more feisty and was clearly ready to go back to where she belongs – the wild.

“Wildlife rescues are a big part of what the RSPCA does – and we’re very happy to have been there in this buzzard’s hour of need; and been able to secure a safe, happy and prompt return to the West Wales wild.”

Should you wish to help the RSPCA with rescues such as this, you can donate online.

Thanks to Chris O’Brien