Following the avian flu outbreak in 2022, we now follow DEFRA biosecurity guidance to help manage the risk of avian flu and other diseases on site. Because our hospital is small, this also means that we now focus our care on seabirds rather than landbirds. From our coastal site in Mousehole, overlooking the sea, we are proud to play an important role in protecting Cornwall’s unique marine and coastal environment.
We are looking to raise £8,500 to renovate and repurpose old landbird aviaries at the bottom of our site, transforming them into safe, practical recovery spaces for seabirds.
The renovation will allow us to create a larger flight area where seabirds can rebuild wing strength before release; install a deeper pond so pelagic species can practise diving and waterproofing; provide suitable housing and shaded areas; and increase our capacity to care for more seabirds in need.
Our target is £8,500. Every donation will help create more space for seabirds to recover, build strength and return to the wild.
Storm events happen throughout the year and not just in the winter. During August last year we cared for a number of patients with storm-related issues – exhaustion, injuries, waterproofing issues. By contributing to this appeal, you are helping us with resources an exhausted stormbird will need, whatever time of year they need it.
As you can imagine we get through a lot of fish! All our patients are given an exclusively fish-based diet – it’s expensive but ensures our seabird patients are given the food they need to rehabilitate well. When caring for pelagic species (those seabirds that live out at sea) a specialist fish diet is required.
