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Unusual musical Heron rescued at Uckfield
13 October 2010
A rather unusual but musical rescue took place this week after a heron became entangled in a wind chime. Rescuers from East Sussex Wildlife Rescue and Ambulance Service (WRAS) were called out after a resident at Palehouse Common, Uckfield discovered the tall bird flapping around in her garden.
Rescuers were on site within 20 minutes and were able to capture the bird. Rescuer Trevor Weeks said “as we approached we could hear the wind chime tinkling away as the bird tried to move.”
Normally wind chimes are associated with tranquillity and relaxation but on this occasion the poor heron couldn’t have been more anxious and stressed.
Rescuers had to secure the heron, it was then found to have its leg caught in the spiral metal hanger and the string from the weight wrapped round its wing. “Removing the metal hanger from its leg was easy enough but trying to remove the string was not easy, as it was wrapped round the wing and between different feathers, and the smaller under feathers made it difficult to find where the string was weaving its way around” said Trevor.
Eventually the bird was free and the bird was successfully released with a few ruffled feathers and seen to fly across the field and over the tree tops and away.
“This is certainly a first for us!” added Trevor, “if you find any animal caught up like this please call us for assistance, do not just cut them free and release them yourselves as ligature wounds are difficult to see and can be fatal if ignored.”
» Watch the rescue on YouTube (video footage of the rescue is available in HD on request)
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Press Contact: Trevor Weeks, Director, East Sussex WRAS, 07931 523958
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It is very easy to assume a bird has been abandoned when you find it on the ground, but quite often it is a fledgling learning to fly. When a fledgling takes its first flight it is going to be unsuccessful, it is natural for them to spend 2-3 days on the ground sometimes before they can fly properly. Mum and dad will normally be nearby but they do not always fly down to feed every few minutes as they are trying to encourage the youngster to fly. Both the youngster and the parents are good at hiding themselves.