It has been an interesting year with quite a few new comers to the garden. Having more land has meant we have been able to help a few people out when they have had problems re-homing some of their birds and animals.

We have had 2 large eagle owls one which escaped and was found near a local beach and another which came from a young family who found they did not have the time to spend on her. We have also taken in a small collection of rescued birds from another keeper as due to family commitments she was unable to spend as much time with them as she would like, among these was a disable African Spotted owl called Nutmeg She loves having a lot of attention and being hand fed Her best friend is a large French lop rabbit called Fanta who is also a rescue from a breeder who did not have enough room for her She has the freedom of the garden and will follow you like a puppy.

Little Owl approx 9 Days Old

We have also taken on a female Harris Hawk who was hand over to the police and final came to us she is a lovely bird and enjoys her nightly fly.

Along with the owls and Birds of prey we have also been able to re-home some ducks and rabbits that all needed new homes for different reasons.

Two of the rescues we had this year were two little owls. The first came when it was just a few days old and did not have its eyes open It was found on the floor were it had been for quite a while and was very cold and hungry It was not accepted back in the nest and so it came to us where we put it in an incubator and fed it.

It grow well and was later joined by another little owl who had fledged from the nest but was not big enough to feed itself we put this one with the original owlet and they soon were big enough to go into an aviary outside where they could feed themselves on food provided. We then were able to do a soft release where we gave them food each night but they were free to come and go A few weeks later they were catching all their own food.

Our peahen that we got last year to keep the males from wandering had 5 little chicks which are all growing well. She disappeared for a few days and came back with them following her.

Barn Owl Chick Looking out

of Nest Box

We were very pleased to hear from one person who has had a barn owl nest box for 5 years and has had his first chicks this year he sent us some photos of the barn owl chicks as they were leaving the nest box and of the parents taking food to them. He was patient and the birds accepted the box now they have used it they should return again.

Please remember it is against the law to disturb a nesting Barn Owl. You can usually tell if they are using the box by the white droppings on the roof and the pellets on the floor around the nest site