Rescuers rushed to the aid of a young starling stuck in the bottom of a fat ball bird feeder in a garden in Eastbourne today (30th May 2012). Volunteers from East Sussex Wildlife Rescue and Ambulance Service (WRAS), attended on site at Priory Road, Eastbourne and used wire cutters to free the young starling from the encasing wire.

"I've never seen a bird quite so well stuck before, there were legs and feathers sticking out all over the place!” explained East Sussex WRAS rescue co-ordinator Trevor Weeks, "it wasn't possible to lift the bird up out the entrance to the wire feeder, so we had no choice but to cut the feeder open. We had to use a pair of wire cutters to cut a number of sections of wire away so the starling could be removed gently without causing any additional damage. We were concerned that the birds tail was being bent at a nasty angle which would definitely have been uncomfortable and stressful for the bird."

The bird now named "Rhino" after the hamster stuck in the hamster wheel in the animated film "Bolt", was taken back to East Sussex WRAS's Casualty Care Centre at Whitesmith, where he has been given a wash to remove faeces from the feathers and medication for the bruising and shock.

"We hope that this ordeal has not been too traumatic for the bird and hope that he will make a full recovery" added Trevor.

WRAS is urging people with bird feeders to ensure they are using feeders which are in good condition and to only use feeders which have lids on them so birds cannot get down inside to get stuck as well as reminding people to disinfect and clean their bird feeders on a regular basis.

East Sussex WRAS is funded by generous donations and is only able to attend such incidents thanks to kind and generous donations from the public. To make a donation please visit our online donation page or ring 01825873003.

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Press Contact: Trevor Weeks - East Sussex WRAS: 01825 873003 or 07931 523958

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