A local animal charity is urging people to check their fat ball feeders after a starling was found trapped inside a feeder in Langney, Eastbourne on Tuesday 25th June. The starling became trapped inside the feeder after recent strong winds caused the lid to break off allowing the starling to get inside. The juvenile starling was rescued by Trevor Weeks MBE of East Sussex Wildlife Rescue & Ambulance Service (WRAS) who came to the bird's aid.
"There was only a small amount of fat ball left in the bottom of the feeder and the bird must have thought it was being clever by getting down inside the feeder but obviously didn't think of how to get out again. The young bird was well and truly caught and was not going to escape on its own. We had to cut the starling out of the feeder with wire cutters" explained Trevor Weeks, "it is always important in these cases not to just cut them free and release them, they need to be checked over and any injuries treated. This poor starling had several red and sore wounds over its shoulders so was taken back to WRAS's Casualty Care Centre for treatment and care."
People feed wildlife in their gardens because they love to watch them or are trying to help the local wild birds, so East Sussex WRAS is urging people to check the feeders in their gardens so that they don't end up harming the garden birds they are trying to take care of. "Many people have fat ball feeders in their gardens and when the lids come off they don't realise that they can be a problem for wildlife. If the bird feeder is damaged, rusty, has the lid missing then please dispose of it and purchase a new one. They don't cost much and are easily available," urged Trevor Weeks.
"This is not the first time we have been called out to birds caught in feeders, and happens more often them people realise" added Trevor.
Wildlife food suppliers Ark Wildlife based in Hertfordshire will make a donation to East Sussex WRAS to help it rescue sick, injured and orphaned wildlife, every time someone purchased a feeder or food from them and mentioned East Sussex Wildlife Rescue. Ark Wildlife can be contacted on 0800 085 4865.
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Press Contact: Trevor Weeks MBE (East Sussex WRAS) - 07931 523958
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