Woodpeckers are perhaps one of our noisiest wildlife admissions.

When new admissions are brought to me for treatment and housing it is always exciting to find out what new arrival awaits me in the box. Some very loud and insistent chirping came from a box last week; the box contained four orphaned Great spotted woodpeckers, which had been transferred across from RSPCA Bradford by our regional driver. Announcing their arrival and demanding food they certainly made their presence known.

As Woodpeckers usually nest in a hole in a tree I quickly set up a home for them to replicate this. The four orphans quickly settled into their nest; a bowl lined with a soft material placed in a tub which is covered over except  when we are feeding

As we approach their hourly feeds the chirping noise from their new nest begins to rise, at least until their tummies are full again, at which point they fall back to sleep. 

It will be amazing to see these wonderful birds develop, climbing logs and pecking at the wood.   They are renowned for the knocking noise they make on trees but clearly they also have got very loud ‘I’m hungry’ voices too!!

 By Michelle Bite

Sponsors of Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre and Cattery

 Support RSPCA Stapeley Grange now by giving just £3, simply text RSPCA2 to 70007 
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Seeing the challenges of an RSPCA Inspector

Perhaps one of the most recognised roles within the RSPCA is that of an RSPCA Inspector who work tirelessly in the field helping to save and rescue animals in need. During my role as a Wildlife Assistant I work closely alongside the inspectorate team when they bring in wildlife to the Centre, or as and when they are collect animals for release.
However what is it they actually do outside of Stapeley? What does their job entail?

I was fortunate to have the opportunity to spend the day shadowing Inspector Heather Morris, riding along in a white RSPCA van to find out. I was initially surprised at the amount of technology they have available to them which enables them to see what jobs they have been tasked from our National Call Centre. It was enlightening to see the various protocols Heather has to follow when attending callouts and investigating complaints.

Our first call out of the day was of a possible cat/kitten abandonment at a flat. There was no response after knocking at the door except for a few hungry meows. We were certain that there were a number of skinny cats inside but we were un-sure of the length of time they had been left or if anyone would return. Heather planned to return to check on the later and left a note. She also posted some food  through the letter box.

We were then off to check a dog that had been reported to have no shelter. On arrival we saw there was plenty so nothing further was required. There was also a brief stop at a site where chickens had been abandoned to leave a note – a message to say that the abandoned chickens had now been rehomed.

One of the most shocking and saddening things I have ever seen since joining the team here was on this day out…a duck with no beak!  The local residents who had called this in, were all extremely concerned and keen to see the duck picked up. Unfortunately the duck was on the water when we arrived and kept flying off as we approached so there was no way for us to get close enough to capture the bird. All we could do was advise the residents to monitor the situation and if they could herd the duck into an enclosed area then we could be called again.

The day ended with me returning home to Stapeley with a hedgehog that we had been called out too - it was out during the day and very lethargic.  All in all a very busy day and those were just the highlights!

I would like to say a huge thank you to Heather for giving me the opportunity to shadow her work for the day and showing me what being an RSPCA Inspector really involves.

By Michelle Bite

Sponsors of Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre and Cattery

 Support RSPCA Stapeley Grange now by giving just £3, simply text RSPCA2 to 70007 
Texts cost £3 + standard network rate