Annual Rehabilitators Survey and Records

Raptor Rescue has conducted a survey each year since 1990 to collate details of the birds treated by our rehabilitators throughout the UK, and all our rehabilitators are asked to maintain detailed records of the casualties they handle. These details are compiled into a year-on-year report recording

• The number of each species treated
• The age of the bird, i.e. whether it is adult or immature
• The sex of the bird where possible *
• The nature of the injury or illness
• Treatment required and given
• The outcome

(* It is not always possible to tell with young immature birds)

The findings of each year’s report are published annually in the Raptor Rescue Newsletter along with observations and comments on any trends, which may become apparent.

Typically in a year Raptor Rescue rehabilitators handle between 400 - 500 wild bird of prey casualties including: Red Kite, Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, Kestrel, Marsh Harrier, Merlin, Hobby, Peregrine, Barn Owl, Little Owl, Tawny Owl, Long-eared Owl and Short-eared Owl.

Of the above some (20%) will die from their injuries, (25%) will be humanely destroyed due to the severity of their injuries, (5%) were re-homed because they would not survive in the wild but will have a good quality of life in captivity and (50%) will be re-released back to the wild.

Raptor Rescue rehabilitators were also called upon to take in captive bred birds of prey that had either been lost or had escaped from their owners, and some of these birds required treatment.

The annual survey results are important data to assess the success of rehabilitation programmes and treatment regimes, and can also be compared with other data relating to Birds of Prey, e.g. the British Trust for Ornithology bird ringing statistics.