First Alpine Swift at the GSPCA & 10th recorded in Guernsey – GSPCA Celebrating 150 years

On Friday for the first time the GSPCA were called out to what was either an injured pigeon or bird of prey at Admiral Park.

GSPCA Ambulance Driver Neil Hughes was quickly dispatched to find neither but instead a bird that we have never rescued before at the GSPCA.

Neil kindly rescued and returned the stunned bird to the GSPCA where is was neither identified as a bird of prey or pigeon but a species which migrates 1000’s of miles and is rarely seen in Guernsey.

To see a video of the release please visit https://youtu.be/rwrkE2ot0-o

To donate to her our work please go to https://giving.gg/donate/charity/2/Guernsey-Society-for-the-Prevention-of-Cruelty-to-Animals-(GSPCA)

Steve Byrne GSPCA Manager said “Friday was a first for the team at the GSPCA as in our 150 year history we have never rescued an Alpine Swift.”

“We had the call around midday and team member Neil quickly responded but we weren’t expecting what we were called out for.”

“Many calls are for species that when we get there aren’t what we are expecting but Neil though he was on route for a pigeon or bird of prey but instead it was an Alpine Swift which this is only the 10^th official record in Guernsey.”

“Once landed swifts struggle to take off from the ground and often when we are called to similar species they are often stunned as they have hit a window or car.”

“We named the bird Taylor and very soon after a spell in an intensive care unit the bird seemed to be responding well so we called local bird ringer Jamie Hooper who was delighted to come and help both ring the bird and help with the release.”

Abby Domaille GSPCA Animal Care Assistant said “This was a first for me as these birds are so rare in Guernsey.”

“Thankfully only needed a short rest and then we got him back into the wild to carry on his travels.”

Jamie Hooper said “This was a huge highlight of the day!”

“Well done to the GSPCA for a quick rescue and a happy ending for this rare Alpine Swift.”

Steve continued “We are currently fund raising for a new Wildlife Hospital to help the 1000’s of wild animals through our doors and celebrating 150 years and to find out more ways to support this and other projects please visit https://www.gspca.org.gg/page/gspca-celebrating-150-years .”

“If you find sick or injured wildlife you can call 24/7 on 257261 or check out our website for more details https://www.gspca.org.gg/animals/wildlife-advice .”

Alpine Swift facts –

What Do They Prey On? Insects, seeds, and bacteria

What Do They Eat? Omnivore

Average Litter Size? 4 eggs

How Much Do They Weigh? 0.22 lb (100 g)

How Long Are They? 7.9-9.1 in (20-23 cm)

What Do They Look Like? Dark brown

What Were Their Main Threats? Humans

Where You'll Find Them? Marshes, Swamps, Mountains, Cliffs, Suburbs & Forested Areas

Locations North-western Iran & Anatolia, Northern Morocco, Southern Europe & Asia with more recent sightings in the UK

Animalia Genus Tachymarptis

Class Aves

Family Apodidae

The GSPCA were recently delighted to announce that planning has been approved for a new Wildlife Hospital at the GSPCA and you can help this much needed facility become a reality from Buying a Brick to becoming a Build Partner.

Could you Buy a Brick? We can put the certificate and Engraved Brick in the name of a friend, in memory, your company or a loved one and there are a number of goodies you will get as part of this kind gift helping us build for the future to help wildlife in Guernsey.

We now have permission which includes demolishing a number of very old buildings one of which dates back to the 1940’s.

We really need your help. We have raised an amazing £300,000 towards the estimated costs for the facility which are approximately £2,000,000 to build the GSPCA Wildlife Hospital and to remove the old buildings.

There are a number of ways you can help including the Buy a Brick such as donating to this much needed project or could your group, trust or business help in much bigger ways –

To make a direct donation please visit - https://giving.gg/donate/event/4618/Please-Support-the-GSPCA-Wildlife-Hospital-Appeal

To Buy a Brick in the new Wildlife Hospital and download a leaflet please click here - http://www.gspca.org.gg/sites/default/files/Buy%20a%20Brick%20Wildlife%20Hospital.pdf

To become a larger donors or as a corporate you may want to make a larger donation and become an Exclusive Build Partner and to find out more please visit - http://www.gspca.org.gg/page/gspca-exclusive-build-partner

The next step is go to tender, but for those wanting to help in much larger ways here are the estimated costs for some of the facilities that make up the £2,000,000 –

• Demolitions £70,000
• Sub-structure £80,000
• Drainage £99,000
• Slab £160,000
• Roof £263,000
• External Walls £180,000
• Glazing to whole build £70,000
• Each rehabilitation room £40,000
• Central feed kitchen £35,000
• Each marine rehabilitation room and access to pool £30,000
• Rehabilitation Pool – to be confirmed
• Rehabilitation aviaries/pens - £15-20,000 each
• Receiving office where the public can drop animals off and they can be admitted and entered into the system - £25-30,000

With 6 seals currently at the GSPCA and over 120 hedgehogs, not to mention many other injured birds and wild rabbits you would think the GSPCA is extremely busy and you would be correct.

The new Wildlife Hospital will help house the 2500+ wildlife that come through the GSPCA doors each year and with our environment a major concern a facility that would help benefit future generations. 

Donate

Donate by calling  01481 257261, by post to GSPCA, Rue des Truchots, St Andrews, Guernsey GY6 8UD or online https://giving.gg/donate/charity/2/Guernsey-Society-for-the-Prevention-of-Cruelty-to-Animals-(GSPCA)

GSPCA Celebrates 150 years in 2023

This year the GSPCA celebrate 150 years and to find out more please check out https://www.gspca.org.gg/page/gspca-celebrating-150-years

Sponsored Event

Why not create your own sponsored event or challenge - https://giving.gg/donate/charity/2/Guernsey-Society-for-the-Prevention-of-Cruelty-to-Animals-(GSPCA)

For lots more ideas why not visit our fundraising page www.gspca.org.gg/fundraising

Wish List

Check out our wish list page from the smallest of items to our biggest of projects there are many ways to support us - http://www.gspca.org.gg/about/our-plans-wish-list

To visit our Amazon Wish list to see some of the items we need to help the wildlife please visit - https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/25MJPPDAGXHL1?type=WishList

GSPCA Wildlife Hospital Appeal

To make a direct donation please visit - https://giving.gg/donate/event/4618/Please-Support-the-GSPCA-Wildlife-Hospital-Appeal

To Buy a Brick in the new Wildlife Hospital and download a leaflet please click here - http://www.gspca.org.gg/sites/default/files/Buy%20a%20Brick%20Wildlife%20Hospital.pdf

Larger donors or corporates may want to make a larger donation and become an Exclusive Build Partner and to find out more please visit - http://www.gspca.org.gg/page/gspca-exclusive-build-partner

Legacies & Bequests

By leaving a gift to the GSPCA in your Will really helps us to improve the lives of animals into the future.  After providing for those you care for, please consider leaving a proportion of what remains to the GSPCA it is so appreciated and makes a real lasting legacy.

A gift like this to the GSPCA ensures our animals and those in Guernsey will always have someone to keep them safe. To find out more please http://www.gspca.org.gg/about/gifts-wills-and-funding 

Gift Aid on Donations over £500

To find out about the States of Guernsey tax relief information on gift aid up to 2020 on donations totalling between £500 and £5000 please see the details by going to https://www.gov.gg/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=2617&p=0

2021 gift aid is from £500 and up to £7500 and here are the details - https://www.gov.gg/article/151830/Income-tax-relief

To download the form to claim for 2020 or before please follow this link https://www.gov.gg/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=1994&p=0

Become a sponsor and GSPCA member

Why become an Angel Pen Pal Sponsor and support our work each month please visit - http://www.gspca.org.gg/sites/default/files/Angel%20sponsor%20form%20special%202018%20new.pdf

To become a Corporate Angel Pen Pal form for your business to sponsor animals in our care each year please click here http://www.gspca.org.gg/sites/default/files/Corporate%20Angel%20Pen%20Pal%20sponsor%20formnew.pdf  

Share our posts and follow us on social media

Many of you will have seen us on social media and your support liking and sharing our posts is really appreciated, and to visit our social media pages please go to

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/GuernseySPCA

Twitter https://twitter.com/GSPCA

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/gspca-guernsey-965b0751/

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/gspca_guernsey/

Subscribe to our Supporters Newsletter

To subscribe to our supporters newsletter and find out about upcoming events and news please go to https://us14.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=9324335c87c8b3ec9f0016f2a&id=e61c951a08

Below are our usual opening times but these are occasionally adjusted to ensure we provide the best of care for the animals and those needing our 24/7 help, in an emergency please call 01481 257261

Upcoming Events we are at and need your help -

Are you supporting the GSPCA our 150th year? Here are a few ways you could get involved | GSPCA Guernsey

March 2023 – Adopt a Rescue Guinea Pig Month

Wednesday 22^nd March - International Day of the Seal

Thursday 23^rd March 2023 – National Puppy Day

Wednesday 29^th March 2023 - Volunteer Induction Evening

April 2023 – Easter Virtual Pet Show

Sunday 2^nd April – National Ferret Day

Tuesday 4^th April 2023 – World Rat Day

Tuesday 25^th April 2023 – World Penguin Day

April 2022 Autism Guernsey and GSPCA Puffin Parade Launch – Date to be Confirmed https://puffinparade.org.gg/

April 2023 – AGM – Date to be Confirmed

May 2023 - International Respect for Chickens Month

7^th May 2023 EDABL Seafront Sunday

Friday 12^th May to Friday 19^th May GSPCA 150^th Year Cupcake Week

Sunday 21^st May 2023 150^th Year Celebrations & Animal Welfare Seafront Sunday

Tuesday 23^rd May 2023 International Turtle Day

Tuesday 30^th May – International Hug Your Cat Day

Wednesday 31^st May 2023 - Volunteer Induction Evening

June 2023 – National Microchipping Month

June 2023 – 150^th Year Sponsored Dog Walk – Date to be Confirmed

4^th June 2023 Arts Seafront Sunday

10^th June 2023 Saffrey Rotary Walk https://safferyrotarywalk.org.gg/

Summer 2023 – Summer Sunday Family Lunch

Wednesday 14^th June 2023 – World Sea Turtle Day

Sunday 25^th June 2023 – Guernsey Charities Fete

25^th June 2023 EDABL Seafront Sunday

Friday 23^rd June 2023 - Take Your Dog To Work Day

June 26^th to July 3^rd 2023 – National Rabbit Week

Wednesday 12^th July 2023 – Volunteer Induction Evening

Sunday 16^th July 2023 – World Snake Day

6^th August 2023 EDABL Seafront Sunday

13^th August 2023 EDABL Seafront Sunday

Monday 14^th August 2023 – World Lizard Day

August 2023 – West Show

August 2023 – North Show

September 2023 - World Animal Remembrance Month

GSPCA 150^th Year Ball – Date to be Confirmed

24^th September 2023 St Johns Ambulance Seafront Sunday

Wednesday 13^th September 2023 - Volunteer Induction Evening

October 2023 - World Animal Month

Wednesday 4^th October 2023 - World Animal Day

Wednesday 25^th October 2023 - Volunteer Induction Evening

Wednesday 8^th November 2023 – GSPCA Dog First aid Course

Wednesday 15^th November 2023 – GSPCA Cat First aid Course

Wednesday 22^nd November 2023 – Volunteer Induction Evening

Monday 4^th December 2023 – World Wildlife Conservation Day

Many more events will be added and dates to be confirmed and if you have any events or ideas to celebrate our 150 years please get in touch…………..