I am writing this update at home recovering from hand surgery so have not been into the hospital on a regular basis this month. I owe my thanks to Lou for taking the photographs.

During the last month thirteen birds have received care and treatment in the hospital. One of these was a Black Kite from the park; the rest were wild birds.

Black Kite "Coll"

Coll, one of our Black Kites came into the hospital when it was noticed early one morning that he could not get off the ground onto a perch. He was assessed and nothing serious could be found. He spent a couple of weeks receiving lots of tender loving care. He was then returned to his aviary and is doing well.

Five Tawny Owls have been brought in for treatment. Three of them were found to be suffering from Frounce which is very contagious between birds and they had to be euthanased immediately. Frounce is a highly contagious yeast infection of the mouth, throat and digestive tract. It is often found in game birds and pigeons and can be called Canker. It shows itself with white spots in the mouth or crop, often described as "cheesy or white plaques". These alone are not always enough to diagnose the disease. Other signs are head flicking, difficulty breathing, or even regurgitation of food. It is almost impossible to treat as birds are not usually found until the disease is at an advanced stage.

Tawny Owl which had stitches to its head

Young Hobby

Another Tawny came in via our friends at the Hungerford Veterinary Centre with injuries to its left side, eye and leg. Because of the seriousness of the injuries it was euthanased. The fifth Tawny came from Basingstoke and was found near the railway station. It had a serious head injury which may have been cause by it flying into a train. It had been treated by a local vet before coming to us. The treatment included stitches to the side of the head. It died while in our care.

We have received four Buzzards this month, all from the local area. They had a variety of injuries including two with damage to a leg with an open wound, badly broken wing, and a head injury. All had to be euthanased.

We treated two Kestrels, one of which was picked up in Sarson Lane just up the road from the park entrance. Its left eye was damaged, possibly by flying into a solid object. It died whilst in our care. The other Kestrel came in from Andover with a swollen left eye. It had received a bang on the head which had also caused sinus problems. It is being treated with antibiotics.

We also treated a Hobby that was found in Lymington and brought in by a RSPCA Officer. It has an injury to its right wing but is showing signs of making a good recovery.

Mike Wallis.