4 oiled birds rescued at the GSPCA today - Watch out for oiled birds around the coast after the rough weather

Submitted by GSPCA on 16:36, 10th Feb, 2014 | 0

After a second spell of rough weather this year the GSPCA has already rescued 4 oiled birds so far today.

The reason we and other coastal animal charities see this increase is that crude oil that has settled on the sea bed gets stirred up and floats to the surface where the birds sadly get coated and then find it difficult to fly, preen, hunt and care for themselves.

We closely monitor the locations of where the birds are found and tidal movements in case they aren't isolated incidents.

Yvonne Chauvel Senior Animal Care Assistant said 'We still have 4 guillemots in that were oiled from the last bad weather but due to the recent gales we've been unable to release them.'

'The 4 oiled guillemots we've had in today have been from Jethou, Grandes Rocque and two from Cobo all very tired and hungry.'

Steve Byrne GSPCA Manager said 'After prolonged bad weather it often means those birds that live out at sea are very tired and hungry as they've not been able to hunt and with oil on the sea being churned up it can affect these beautiful animals.'

'We monitor situations like this very closely in case it is part of a larger incident, and we are in touch with other organistations around the Channel.'

'We are here to get these wonderful birds back to the wild and we are looking forward to releasing the 4 healthy birds we have from the last period of bad weather that came in oiled.'

'We have lots of information on our website about what to do if you find an oiled bird or please do give us a call on 01481 257261 any time day or night.'

To find out what to do if you find an oiled bird please click here.

Watch out for oiled birds around the coast after the rough weather 16th January 2014

To donate to Trinity and Edens Big Fish Appeal please call 01481 257261, pop along to the Animal Shelter in St Andrews, by post or by clicking the link below.

We will of course keep you up to date with Trinity and Edens progress and keep your eyes open for pictures and videos.

If anyone see's a pup with or without a mum we really do appreciate a call so that we are aware of its location and condition but here is some advice.

A healthy pup looks like a big, stuffed maggot without a neck. However, a thin pup looks sleek (but not bony) and has a visible neck, like a healthy dog.

PLEASE DO NOT TOUCH THE SEAL. They can give a nasty bite, which will become infected by bacteria that live in a seal’s mouths.

Note: Do not allow dogs or other animals to harass a seal.

If a Seal is scared back into the water, it could then be washed out to sea by strong currents and be lost. You should not put a seal pup back in the sea as it may get into difficulty.

If a Seal pup is sick, thin or injured then we would ask you to contact the GSPCA immediately on 01481 257261 day or night

When reporting an injured, sick or abandoned seal to the GSPCA, please make sure you are able to supply the following information:

Exact location; nearest town / village
Position on the beach, and state of the tide
How long you have observed the pup; any disturbance / risk to it; whether the mother has been seen
Any wounds / obvious signs of illness
Length/colour/condition.

Caution:- Handling of any animal either domestic, wild, dead or alive may be potentially hazardous. Obvious dangers include bites, scratches and general hygiene issues. Common sense should be applied in all instances and, if unsure, seek additional advice or assistance. Personal hygiene should be taken into consideration after handling any animal, whether it’s domestic, wild, dead or alive.

To see some of the previous stories follow the links below

Seal Rescue to Save Jethou Bumblebee 25th November 2012

Hanois the grey seal pup rescued on Saturday by GSPCA staff 7th January 2013

Jethou Bumblebee & Hanois the rescued grey seal pups back in the wild 18th April 2013

The Rescue of Trinity the Seal Pup 9th January 2014

To see our new online shop please click here.

There are many ways to support the work of the GSPCA and you can even donate online by clicking the paypal link below.

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The following are events planned for 2014

Date	Event
Opening Hours	Reception, General Enquires & Pet Shop opens 9am – 5pm Monday – Saturday (Closed Sunday) Boarding Drop Off & Collection 11am – 4.30pm Monday – Saturday Emergency Helpline – 24 hours a day	For contact details - http://www.gspca.org.gg/contact
6^th January 2014	2014 Guernsey School Term starts
13^th January 2014	New Animal Care and Welfare Course starts with 2014	For details please click here
Wednesday 15^th January 2014	Volunteer Induction Evening at the GSPCA from Starts 6.30pm Finishes 8pm	For information on Volunteering please click here
10^th February 2014 7.30pm	Annual General Meeting
10^th February 2014	GSPCA Purple Week	For more details please go to - http://www.gspca.org.gg/page/gspca-purple-week
Friday 14^th February 2014	GSPCA is 141 years old
Sunday 17^th February 2014	Dog Basic First Aid & Care Training Course with the GSPCA – Minimum donation of £15 per person	Other dates to be planned
17^th – 22^nd February 2014	Half Term and Open Week at the GSPCA. Our Training and Event Room will be open with items for sale, refreshments and animals in need of homes on view.
Wednesday 26^th February 2014	Volunteer Induction Evening at the GSPCA from Starts 6.30pm Finishes 8pm	For information on Volunteering please click here
Sunday 2^nd March 2014	Cat Basic First Aid & Care Training Course with the GSPCA – Minimum donation of £15 per person
1^st April – 5^th May 2014	National Pet Adoption Month
Wednesday 2^nd April 2014	Volunteer Induction Evening at the GSPCA from Starts 6.30pm Finishes 8pm	For information on Volunteering please click here
Friday 4^th April 2014	World Stray Day - Come see our stall in Market Square, St Peter Port	Date and details to be finalised
7^th – 22^nd April 2014	Guernsey Easter Term Break
Monday 28^th April – 4^th May 2014	GSPCA Cupcake Week	For more details please click here
5^th – 11^th May 2014	Rabbit Awareness Week
9^th May 2014	Liberation Day – We are hoping to have a stall at the event in St Peter Port	http://www.guernseyliberationday.com/
Wednesday 14^th May 2014	Volunteer Induction Evening at the GSPCA from Starts 6.30pm Finishes 8pm	For information on Volunteering please click here
1^st – 30^th June 2014	Microchip Month
To be confirmed - Sunday 1^st June 2014	GSPCA Summer Dog Show	Date and details to be finalised
Sunday 7^th June 2014	Itex Walk – in 2013 we were lucky enough to be one of the nominated charities	http://www.itexwalk.gg/
Sunday 15^th June 2014	Fathers Day Half Marathon – Do you fancy running for the GSPCA? To create your Just Giving sponsored event page please go to - http://www.justgiving.com/gspca	http://guernseyathletics.org.gg/half/
27^th – 29^th June 2013	Chaos Music Festival – Come see our stall at this wonderful annual music event
Wednesday 2^nd July 2014	Volunteer Induction Evening at the GSPCA from Starts 6.30pm Finishes 8pm	For information on Volunteering please click here
19^th July – 31^st August 2014	Guernsey Summer Term Break
8^th – 9^th August 2014	South Show - Come see our stall at this wonderful annual event	Date and details to be finalised
13^th – 14^th August 2014	West Show - Come see our stall at this wonderful annual event	Date and details to be finalised
16^th August 2014	It’s A Knockout - Come see our stall at this wonderful annual event	Date and details to be finalised
20^th – 21^st August 2014	North Show - Come see our stall at this wonderful annual event	Date and details to be finalised
23^rd August 2014	Donkey Derby - Come see our stall at this wonderful annual event	Date and details to be finalised
24^th August 2014	Guernsey Waterfront Marathon – Do you fancy running for the GSPCA? To create your Just Giving sponsored event page please go to - http://www.justgiving.com/gspca	http://www.guernseymarathon.gg/
Possibly 30^th August 2014	GSPCA Flag Day - Come see our stall at this wonderful annual event	Date and details to be finalised
Wednesday 3^rd September 2014	Volunteer Induction Evening at the GSPCA from Starts 6.30pm Finishes 8pm	For information on Volunteering please click here
To be confirmed - September 2014	Animal Welfare Seafront Sunday	Date and details to be finalised
Saturday 4^th October 2014	World Animal Day - Come see our stall in Market Square, St Peter Port	Date and details to be finalised
To be confirmed - Saturday 4^th October 2014	World Animal Day – PAWS for a pint an event around local pubs, bars and restaurants in Guernsey	Date and details to be finalised
Sunday 5^th October 2014	Animal Castle	More details to follow
Wednesday 24^th October 2014	Volunteer Induction Evening at the GSPCA from Starts 6.30pm Finishes 8pm	For information on Volunteering please click here
To be confirmed - November 2014	Halloween Style Fun Dog Show & Pet Picture Show	Date and details to be finalised
27^th October – 2^nd November 2014	Guernsey Half Break Term
To be confirmed - November 2014 or there abouts	GSPCA Halloween/Winter Ball	Date and details to be finalised
November 2014	Round Table Christmas Fayre	Date and details to be finalised
Wednesday 26^th November 2014	Volunteer Induction Evening at the GSPCA from Starts 6.30pm Finishes 8pm	For information on Volunteering please click here
Thursdays in December 2014	Stall in St Peter Port for the Late Night Shopping
22^nd December 2014	Guernsey Christmas Term Break starts
Sunday 14^th December 2014	GSPCA Christmas Themed Santa Style Dog Sponsored Walk. To create your Just Giving sponsored event page please go to - http://www.justgiving.com/gspca

To find out about how to become a Member, Sponsor an Animal Pen, our Wish List, Corporate Sponsorship & Volunteering, Events, our Cattery Appeal and much more please click here.