OTHER ANIMALS
You name it - we've had it in! Deer, hamsters, rabbits, hedgehogs, bats, fish, gerbils, guinea pigs - and the rest!

A few months ago I had a call from Dunoon police asking if we could deal with a dolphin which was stranded on the beach. While I was mentally measuring the size of my bath, I was frantically looking for the telephone number of the local Sea Life Centre. Luckily, I had a second call from the police saying that the dolphin had managed to get into deeper water!


Is Seil Island soon to be free of all wildlife?

It now looks as if Ellenabeich peregrine falcons can be added to the list of species of raptors possibly targeted along with several known buzzards and other predators...empty skies around here are the norm these days and its being noted by locals and especially visitors.



Ravens are now nesting and perching on the Peregrine lookout stack. They are breeding on the ledge often used by the peregrines. In my experience over the years, If this pair were still around they would not tolerate any other birds to settle on the stack. Locals have now not seen the peregrines for a few months...but, if anyone should see a peregrine in this area the Police, (Joe Connelly) , and the RSPB, (Elsie Ashworth) and myself (Bill Jackson) would be interested to know.

After suspicions were aroused, I have now checked the Ellenabeich site for several weeks with no peregrine roosting site activity noted and no birds seen over the car park cliff by local watchers either... this has been regular, up till this year.

Like the Scammerdale eagles I hope to be proven wrong, but if there's any birds nesting up there this year I will be surprised. The newly fledged chick disappeared on or around the 15th of August from the feeding perch last year shortly after a party of fox hunters were seen with dogs below the nest site. Several local watchers and walkers have not seen the ringed adult since this time either. Both Rob Fairley (BTO) living in the glen and myself have seen these birds on a regular weekly basis over the years even during the winter, they were loyal to this area. Activities in the glen are the subject of ongoing investigated by the RSPB and Police. This after 20+ years of the Scammerdale eagles in almost constant residence... although during the 8 years I have watched them, they have suffered attempted persecution and willful disturbance in the past.

The so called crow trap behind the pub is supposed to be to rid the garden of pheasants... This trap has all its functions still in operation and can take any bird that comes its way, as well as the pheasants. Hopefully this will soon served its purpose and be removed by the keeper back to Ardencaple.

If you see a trap on your walks around the island and it contains a bird of prey, please take a note of the location and the time, take a photo if you are able, and let the appropriate authorities (as above) know as soon as you can. If you are unsure about what you see please call me. You could be the only chance of life that the bird has. On no account approach anyone who might be acting suspiciously in the immediate area, but memorise carefully what you see.

It seems anything that is predatory in this area is rapidly going down hill, the same way as the badger in fact...however as yet very little happens to the real wildlife predators...man.

 

Download a guide to safety first with traps and more information here.

Bill Jackson


No, we didn't rescue this one, but we live in hopes that Santa might lose one next Christmas!

 

 

Hedgehogs In Danger

BONFIRES BUILT IN ADVANCE ARE ‘HEDGEHOG HOTELS’

To save hedgehogs and other wildlife from appalling suffering the British Hedgehog Preservation Society (BHPS) urges that bonfires should not be built until the day they are to be lit. This will not only save wildlife from burning to death but will also stop the bonfire from getting soaked should it rain the night before! Fay Vass, Chief Executive of BHPS, said “Piles of bonfire material look like five star hotels to a hedgehog in search of a hibernation site. It is crucial to dismantle and move bonfire material that has been stored in advance on open ground. Move it to another spot just before lighting. Ensure it’s moved to clear ground - never on top of a pile of leaves as there could be a hedgehog underneath, and not too close to pampas grass which can ignite very easily and is another favourite spot for hedgehogs to hide under.”

If a large bonfire has to be built in advance, protect it whilst building by putting some chicken wire one metre high all the way around the bottom. This should be held in place with stakes and the wire should slope outwards at an angle to make it difficult to climb, as hedgehogs are good climbers!

If, whilst building, a bonfire is left unattended, for however short a time; it’s imperative to check for young children, hedgehogs and other animals, including family pets, before lighting. As hedgehogs tend to hide in the centre and bottom two feet of the bonfire, check by gently lifting the bonfire section by section with a pole or broom. Never use a spade or fork as these can stab them. Using a torch will help and listen for a hissing sound, as this is the noise they make when disturbed. Fay added “If hedgehogs are found, take as much of the nest as you can and place them in a high-sided cardboard box with plenty of newspaper/old towelling. Ensure there are air holes in the lid and that the lid is secured firmly to the box, as hedgehogs are great climbers. Ideally, wear garden gloves so as not to get human smells on them and to avoid harassment as hedgehogs are easily stressed. Also, it protects your hands from their spikes. Put the box in a safe place such as a shed or garage well away from the festivities, as fireworks terrify them. Once the bonfire is totally dampened down, release the hedgehog under a hedge, bush or behind a stack of logs.”

Going to an official organised fireworks display is a far safer option for both humans and animals.

 


Message from Derek Knight.

We run a small Hedgehog Rescue centre on the Essex/East London borders. So far this year (until beginning of May 2007)we have had more than 20 hedgehogs with very severe injuries caused by strimmers, lawnmowers and other garden power tools. NONE of them have survived. Other rescue centres and carers are finding the same massive increase in badly injured and dying animals Please be very careful when using a strimmer or mower in your garden and check the long grass & undergrowth first with your hand or foot to make sure NOTHING is curled up there. Hedgehogs do not run away when they hear the noise, but curl up tightly which is no protection from these powerful tools. There are very few hedgehogs left in the wild now. They are dying out very quickly. One reason apart from being killed by our carelessness in using powerful tools is lack of water. Please put a bowl of water outside your front and back doors.


Anyone who sees a hedgehog in distress should take it inside and provide it with warmth before contacting a vet for advice.
The hedgehog population is already in crisis.


Road deaths, attacks by badgers and modern farming practices are blamed for numbers dropping from an estimated 1.5million to 750,000 in just six years.
The balmy weather - this year is expected to be the hottest ever recorded - has affected the lifecycle of a host of other animals and plants.

Please contact us if you need help with a hedgehog.

email us, or ring 01852 300362