30/10/16 - Marshy fights back

Regular followers of this blog will be aware of the fantastic work carried out by Jean Thorpe in rehabilitating wildlife and championing action against wildlife crime, it’s a real privilege for us to work alongside Jean and enjoy the great results of all her hard work and dedication, recently we had the pleasure of witnessing the fantastic release of an adult female Marsh Harrier from the NNR base at Bank Island. This unfortunate bird had been shot three weeks previously on the Yorkshire Wolds, breaking its wing bone and sentencing it to certain death had it not found its way into Jean’s care with the support of Battle Flatts Vets. 

Unfortunately North Yorkshire has a terrible record of bird of prey persecution and wildlife crime, but with Jean on the case North Yorkshire police are now following up this incident – whilst the case is investigated at least this individual is now back out in the wild. What a wonderful sight to see it soar off over Bank Island, and to watch it hunting near Elvington later in the day and Wheldrake the following morning.

All of the work Jean carries out is funded by Jean herself, alongside kind donations, so when we found out Jean needed help knocking down her old aviaries our eager team of volunteers jumped at the chance to help out. With many pairs of hands the work was completed over the course of two days, with the team hard at work demolishing the old aviaries which have hosted numerous Barn, Tawny and Little Owls, and Buzzards, Red Kites, Marsh Harriers, Kestrels and Sparrowhawks, along with many other species over the last 25 years. Posts were sawn and chicken mesh torn away, but not until the team had battled their way through the huge Russian Vine covering the pens. 

Everyone worked amazingly hard, filling two skips in the process whilst enjoying the arrival of two Hedgehogs in need of Jean’s care. It’s a real pleasure for us and the team to be able to help Jean out, and in some small way pay her back for all the amazing work she’s been involved with in the LDV. With the old aviaries now gone, new ones are soon to be built courtesy of Charlie Heap from the NCPB (National Centre for Birds of Prey) at Duncombe Park NNR. Many thanks as always to everyone for their effort.