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With the recent stormy weather we have seen many many sick and injured seabirds and at the GSPCA.
To donate to the care of these birds please visit www.paypal.me/DonateGSPCA
Yvonne Chauvel Senior Animal Care Assistant said “The recent rough weather has really hit our seabirds and we have had many in thin, tired and one that was oiled.”
Beckie Bailey Animal Care Assistant said “Today we have had a young Shag rescued that is not strong enough to be out in the wild.”
This morning Beckie Bailey GSPCA Animal Care Assistant will be collecting 3 guillemots to be released back to the wild.
Simon rescued from Ladies Bay and Rocky and Geraldine who were rescued from Grandes Rocques were three of the lucky survivors that were rescued over a month a go covered in oil.
Steve Byrne GSPCA Manager said “This morning three guillemots will be released back to the wild and we are looking forward sharing a video of their release.”
The States of Guernsey Agriculture, Countryside and Land Management Services have issued this statement in regards the oil and oil birds being found around our coast –
‘Agriculture, Countryside and Land Management Services (ACLMS) received a report of numerous blobs of oil of approximately 10-15cm in diameter in the central reef area of L’Ancresse/Pembroke this morning. States Works Coastal team attended and have cleared away as much as could be found. Cautionary signs have been placed at access points to the bay to warn beach users.
Over the last few days we’ve been highlighting the fact we have been helping a number of oiled birds rescued from our coastline.
We have just been informed by the Senior Environment Services Officer Agriculture, Countryside and Land Management Services and Harbour Master that a dog walker that has been to Pembroke/L’Ancresse beach has seen heavy oil deposits, some saucer sized around the central reef.
The States Beach Crew have been deployed but this does mean the numbers of oiled birds is highly likely to increase.
Late last night and early this morning a further two oiled birds have been found oiled on our coastline.
Just before 10pm last night an oiled guillemot was rescued in the Grand Rocque area and was accepted by GSPCA Manager Steve Byrne who administered first aid and placed the bird in one of the Intensive Care Units. The lucky bird has been nicknamed ‘Ger’ and the team are doing all they can help this extremely poorly oiled bird.
Earlier today a guillemot was rescued at Saints Bay completely covered in what appeared fresh oil.
From head to toe the birds body was completely soaked in the oil and the GSPCA rushed the bird to the vets where sadly they were unable to help the bird.
The GSPCA are asking islanders to be on the look out for other birds that may be affected from oil as it is rare for just one bird to found on the coast with such fresh oil.
Each winter especially after stormy weather the GSPCA often help oiled birds and the team are hoping this is just an isolated case.
Today marks 21 years since the Sea Empress disaster and next month on the 18th March marks 50 years since the Torrey Canyon disaster.
In 1996 GSPCA Shelter staff and volunteers were called on to help with one of the biggest oil disasters to hit the British shores.
When the Sea Empress ran a ground in Pembrokeshire on the 15th February over 72,000 tons of crude oil and 360 tons of heavy fuel poured into the sea in less than a week.
Tens of thousands of animals were effected and the RSPCA launched a massive rescue operation.
With all of the rough and stormy sustained weather recently the GSPCA are bracing for a potentially busy period of sick and injured animals and birds.
Only in the last few hours have two oiled guillemots been rescued and arrived at the Shelter and there are likely to be many more.
The reason we and other coastal animal charities see this increase after stormy weather 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.
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.
With rough weather the GSPCA often finds itself rescuing and caring for oiled birds.
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.
We have had 7 oiled birds in the last week but sadly a Razorbill and 2 Guillemots were to weak to save.