Nearly two weeks ago a kestrel was rescued and brought into the GSPCA from the St Peters area in Guernsey.
The injured bird had a damaged eye and would have likely perished if she hadn't been found.
Hook as the kestrel has been called was initially in an intensive care unit with regular treatment prescribed from the vet and as Hook got stronger progressed into a hospital cage before being placed in one of the soft release aviaries here at the Shelter in St Andrews.
Yesterday Hook was checked over, given a good bill of health and also fitted with an identification metal ring.
We plan to release Hook back to the wild later today back in the area where this beautiful bird was first found.
Yvonne Chauvel Senior Animal Care Assistant said "It is always difficult to rehabilitate birds of prey, as normally when they are rescued they are so weak they have very little fight left in them."
"Hook the kestrel is one of the very lucky ones and after nearly two weeks intensive care at the GSPCA we are hopeful to get this stunning bird back in the wild later today."
Steve Byrne GSPCA Manager said "We have seen quite a few birds of prey at the GSPCA this year, and only in the last two months have released from barn owls to kestrels that were initially found sick or injured."
"You have to take great care if you find an injured bird of prey as even though they may be very weak their feet are very strong and can easily injure you."
"If you find an injured bird of prey the best advice we can give is to call the GSPCA on 01481 257261 and choose the emergency option, you can try to use a towel or jumper to wrap them in but calling is the best advice."
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A little about kestrels:
The kestrel has pointed wings and long tail, often seen hovering beside a roadside verge. the numbers of kestrels declined in the 1970s, probably due to changes in farming and so it is they are included on the Amber List. They have adapted readily to man-made environments and can survive right in the centre of cities. They feed on small mammals and there are an estimated 46,000 pairs in the UK. Their Latin name is Falco tinnunculus and they are from the family Falcons and allies (Falconidae).
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