Seabirds at Stapeley

Presently at the hospital we have 3 razorbills and a cormorant. They are not the most common of our wildlife patients, so it is always quite special to see these birds up close. All the seabirds which are admitted to Stapeley receive a supplemented fish diet. Aquavits provide extra nutrition, which the birds would naturally procure from fresh live fish caught in the wild. Our fish is always fresh, but dead and defrosted, which means essential vitamins are not lost in this process. Doses of an anti-fungal medicine are also administered, and used as a preventative measurement from respiratory infection. In captivity, seabirds are prone to develop respiratory problems as they are only used to open fresh sea air, and not our stuffy, bacteria laden land!

The cormorant came to us after being rescued from an entanglement and was a little thin and weak. Differing from other water birds, cormorants do not have waterproof feathers and are usually recognisable by their ‘drying off’ stance; perched with wings stretched out and neck upright.

Our cormorant has been moved from an indoor enclosure now to an outdoor pen which has a shallow pool. He is looking in fine fettle, being fed plenty of sprats and should be ready for release quite soon.                             

One of our three razorbills is now outside on the deep pool, after receiving a good wash to help restore its natural waterproofing. Another of our razorbills was found blown off course and in a town high street!

Razorbills possess a stature that enables them to live a life predominantly swimming on open waters; short legs, situated at the back end of their body (as opposed to the middle body area e.g. ducks) and a longer breast area, not dissimilar to that of a puffin.

  

Handling them requires dexterity and a swift reflex...razorbill by name, razorbill by nature, ouch!

By Lynsey Cale

Sponsors of Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre and Cattery

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