A local group of dedicated, bird lovers are reaching breaking point as they work to help injured and orphaned birds following the closure of most of the wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centres in the wake of the Avian Flu crisis.
The icon of the seaside, the Herring Gull is in deep trouble. Love them or hate them, these are protected birds under the Countryside & Wildlife Act 1981 and are on the Red List of Endangered Species.
THE WAKE OF AVIAN FLU
The outbreak of Avian Flu that swept through East and West Sussex earlier in May left hundreds of adult birds dead or dying, with their healthy offspring left abandoned and starving.
The South Coast & Sussex Bird/Gull Volunteer Network, a group set up and spearheaded by local East Sussex man Justin King, stepped in with his band of volunteers to rescue reported injured or distressed birds when the Wildlife Centres stopped receiving casualties two months ago.
Joining this mission of mercy are other voluntary rescue groups too in various parts of Sussex, working to save baby Gulls and orphaned fledglings.
It’s now July and the Gull fledgling season is well underway. Many young and inexperienced Gulls are falling from their nests, high up on urban roofs, as they try to fly, leaving them injured or trapped, unable to get back to their parents.
Justin and his small team, known as The Chicklet Crew, are called out day and night to help with rescues and rehabilitation of injured or malnourished birds.
With very few Wildlife Centres taking in any Gull casualties, the group have reached breaking point and feels they and the birds have been abandoned by the bigger rescue organisations.
Whilst much of their time and work is coming to the aid of Gulls, pigeons and other wild birds are also being rescued and placed with suitable carers for recovery before being released back into the wild.
MANAGING THE RESCUE CRISIS
Speaking from his home in East Sussex, Justin said: “Our situation is now totally unmanageable. We are all physically and emotionally exhausted from trying to cope with the sheer volume of rescues. Most Wildlife sites are closed, and volunteers have been left to do all the rescue work.”
Coordinating drivers, rescuers, and adopters to cover all the casualties is complex. What is needed are more adopters who are willing to care for a fledgling until August. By that time, they will be strong enough and able to fly. Anyone interested should contact Justin King by email: jusking1969@gmail.com
Justin continued: “Our team is small as some have stepped back because of their own health issues, while others have moved which has made the job even harder for those of us who are still going.
“This is now a 24-hour job and whilst we are all passionate about saving these birds, we need more help!
“We are now quarantining baby birds ourselves and sending them to volunteers’ homes and gardens whilst they mature through to the end of August.
“The situation is beyond crazy. We now have young gulls recovering in volunteers’ bathrooms, sitting rooms, garden sheds, and garages. As you can imagine, this is not ideal but at least it is ensuring the safety and well-being of these special birds
“What’s worse, the level of violence and open hostility towards these protected birds has increased 100-fold. DEFRA’s message to the public at the beginning of the outbreak has not helped either, stirring up fear and panic in the public.
“By telling people to avoid ANY birds that appear out of sorts and NOT to touch them, means that the public are too scared to try to help any of them, some of which may simply be starving or dehydrated rather than ill.
HOW THE PUBLIC CAN HELP
“There is no reason any birds cannot be brought to us for assessment, providing the person wears a mask and gloves before they handle the bird and place them in a box, all of which can be disposed of afterwards.
“We know Avian Flu is highly contagious, but with some common sense and good precautions, all birds can then be checked. Those who are sick we take to a vet for euthanasia, rather than leaving them to die a slow, horrible death.
“We desperately need more help – drivers, adopters of birds, volunteers. Once again, we are having to rely on donations from the public for food, essential rescue supplies, petrol, soap powder, crates, and puppy pens for the birds. The water and electricity costs are huge from all the washing we must do too.
“We have had NO support from Brighton & Hove Council or from DEFRA. It’s truly heartbreaking.
ASKING FOR HELP
“So now we are endeavouring to launch an internet campaign to get more celebrities involved and attract people in the public eye. We are happy to pass on some of the donations we hope to receive to help other rescue groups in the county.
“Our last hope is that people will read this and reach out to us. Even help in a small way would be fantastic, give us some respite, and a chance for more birds to recover and return to the wild.”
For more information email Justin at: jusking1969@gmail.com or visit their Facebook page: South Coast & Sussex Bird/Gull Volunteer Network
Donations can be made to: https://gofund.me/de779a29
