Falcon rescued by traffic warden
A peregrine falcon was released from the RSPCA Stapely Grange Wildlife Centre in Cheshire on New Year's Day after being brought in by a traffic warden.
Lee Gallagher, 40, was patrolling his patch in Birkenhead, Merseyside, during torrential rain when he noticed the falcon sitting in the middle of the road and showing signs of distress. It is believed that attempting to fly in the extreme conditions led to exhaustion.
Mr Gallagher approached the falcon with caution and quickly realised that it needed help. Mr Gallagher said “I am used to handling birds so knew how to approach with my jacket as a shield, but I was very surprised the falcon didn’t try to peck me or attack in any way. It was as if he knew I was there to save him and just stayed in my arms until I got him to the car and then let me stroke the back of his head.”
The falcon was then taken to an RSPCA Wildlife Centre, where it was inspected by a vet and fed up until it had made a full recovery. Mr Gallagher was present when the falcon was released back into the wild on New Year's Day.
Commenting, Andrew Smith of RSPCA Stapely Grange said “It is fantastic that Lee didn’t get into a flap when he found this bird and had the calm of mind to pick it up and bring it to us. It was in quite a bad state and would have struggled had he left it where he was.”
Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.
