On 22nd May, we were delighted to release two adult herring gulls back into the wild after several weeks of care and rehabilitation.
W002 came to us on 10th May after becoming entangled in roof netting. Thanks to a quick-thinking finder, they were safely freed and referred through a vet. They arrived with multiple wounds to the wing and legs and initially struggled with appetite during isolation. With time, supportive care, and topical treatments, their wounds healed beautifully and they regained strength in the outdoor aviary.
W001 was admitted slightly earlier on 8th May following injuries sustained in a territorial dispute. They had a wounded right wing, couldn’t fly on arrival, and also presented with a cloudy eye. Encouragingly, their injuries responded well to treatment, and despite a minor setback with a self-inflicted injury in the aviary, veterinary advice confirmed they were fit and ready for release.
These two birds have come a long way 💪 – from painful injuries and stress, to strong, flight-ready gulls returning where they belong.
A huge thank you to everyone involved—the finders, veterinary teams, and our dedicated carers 🧡
🎥 Watch their return to freedom below, see them if you can, they were so quick to leave we could barely get the camera ready!