Welcome to the LDV NNR ringing blog, this blog is designed to share the experiences, findings and tales from a group of dedicated ringers. We specialise in conservation orientated research projects, largely focusing on wildfowl, waders, owls and birds of conservation concern, in and around the Vale of York NNR's.

NB - Whilst the purpose of this blog was initially designed to cover our nationally important wildfowl ringing activities, it now also features wildlife and work posts, explaining how we manage the NNR for both wildlife and people.

For daily sightings please visit our Twitter account: https://twitter.com/ldv_nnr (@LDV_NNR)

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Friday 30 June 2017

22/06/17 - Hobby release

Last month Jean received a call from Battleflatts Vets with news of an injured Hobby collected from a site in Withernsea on the East Coast. With the injury being a badly broken wing, it seemed that this beautiful bird was destined for certain death, however with both the expertise of Mark at Battleflatts Vets, and Jean, this bird was definitely in the right hands. After Mark did a great job of pinning and strapping the wing, Jean took over with her amazing care and specialist knowledge. With it being such a bad break, she, an adult female, was confined to a small box in order to let the wing start to heal. However, with the break dangerously close to the joint, it was important not to allow the wing to be strapped for too long as the repairing bone can then cause the joint to become immobile. 
 
 On the mend - c/o Leanne Hoeness-heather

By the second week of June the bandage came off and she was flying at a low height – things were starting to look promising! Fast forward another week and the hard work, skill and patience paid off on Tuesday morning when the bird was judged by Jean to be ready for release, having spent the last week exercising in a more spacious aviary. Following consultation with several specialists, she was released onto the NNR – the idea being that the valley would offer her plenty of easy feeding opportunities whilst she regained her strength and improved her flying. She’s already missed this year’s opportunity for breeding but at least she'll have plenty of time to continue to improve before heading off to Africa for the winter. 


 The last goodbye

Well done to Jean and Mark for their efforts, not only in saving this birds life, but for all they and what they manage to achieve.

Off she goes!

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