What it takes to look after the wild birds of Furness

Birds in Furness are no exception and in recent months have faced an outbreak of bird flu, storms and extreme cold.

Human interference has also ranged from getting caught in fishing wire to being shot.

Luckily the region has several dedicated animal rescuers who look out for our feathered friends when they're out in the harsh conditions.

These include Bardsea Bird Sanctuary, Cumbria Animal and Hen Rescue and Caroline Simms, who looks after the swans at Ulverston canal.

Many local individuals take it upon themselves to help including 36-year-old Rachel Wilson.

The former Information Officer at Cumbria Wildlife Trust has gone above and beyond to help the injured animals that have come into her care.

She has to think on her feet utilising what resources she can, often relying on the public to help.

A qualified marine mammal medic with a degree in British Animal Management and Wildlife Rehabilitation, Rachel can accurately assess what type of wound the animal has and where it may have come from.

She has treated all manner of birds from rehabilitating geese in the bath to bandaging up pigeons' legs.

Many have survived everyday dangers such as when a baby pigeon fell off a Poundland roller shutter.

This year has already been a busy year for Rachel’s Wildlife already.

She said: "We have already had a few callouts to rescues including a juvenile swan that landed in Barrow Park.

"He was repeatedly chased off of the water by the resident swans and had to be moved for his own safety.

"Thank you to the members of the public for helping us capture him and giving him the name of Moon.

"Moon spent a couple of days with us to build his strength up and has now flown off to continue his journey.

"Boots, the adult pigeon, was discovered in Barrow Park and didn’t quite seem right.

"He had a severe limp and a suspected broken foot.

"After building him a little splint, his name was born and he is now able to straighten his toes out, put pressure on his foot and hold onto branches.

"Hank Marvin was a young juvenile pigeon who fell from the top of one of the local store's loading bays in a storm.

"When he was rescued he could barely keep his eyes open and couldn’t hold up his own head.

"We were worried he had serious damage to his neck however he is now learning to use perches and building up strength in his wings.

"It's incredible how resilient animals can be and they like to teach us so many life lessons on how we shouldn’t give up on them so quickly."

Once strong enough, Rachel releases them into the best-suited place. They can come back however like Rocky the gosling.

He was treated four times after a dog attack and becoming wrapped in fish wire.

Rachel is always in need of bigger facilities and is building a few new enclosures - including a small aviary to work as a bridging enclosure before they are ready to move to a larger aviary for rehabilitation.

Anyone that can help with the building, please get in touch at the Rachel's Wildlife page.