Galway & Claddagh Swan Rescue

27/05/2026

Very good advice in this post!

🐦 Please stop taking healthy fledglings from their parents 💔

This little dunnock should not be with me.

He was healthy. Bright. Well fed. A proper little round fledgling, exactly as he should be. He was not injured. He was not abandoned. He did not need rescuing.

He was simply in the wrong spot.

If a fledgling is in immediate danger from cars, feet, dogs, or a busy path, you do not need to illegally take it away.

You simply move it very close by, into a low bush, hedge, or safe sheltered spot.

That is it.

Keep it close enough for the parents to find it. Then leave the area and let them carry on doing what they are already doing.

This little bird has spent his time here screaming for his parents. Throwing himself around in panic. Frightened, confused, and desperate to get back to the only voices he knows.

Instead of being fed gently and naturally by his mum and dad and taught how to survive, he now has had to be caught, handled and force fed by me, while I sit here feeling like the cruel person trying to get this little one to take food without a fight! I'm truly heartbroken that this happened for no reason... yes I'm crying here and no idea of the exact location to return him. 😢

And then adding insult to injury when I explained he needed to go back to his parents, I was told:
“I’m not seeking a lesson on birds, I simply am looking for someone to help it.”

But that is the help.
Putting him back is the help.
Listening to an expert is the help.
Letting his parents raise him is the help.

Please, please stop assuming every baby bird on the ground needs saving. Many fledglings spend time on the ground while they learn how to survive. Their parents are usually nearby, feeding them, calling to them, and watching from cover.

We cannot replace that.

We can keep him alive, yes. But we cannot give him back the calm, natural care he already had before a human decided they knew better.

If you find a fledgling, stop first.
Watch from a distance.
Check for obvious injury.
Keep cats and dogs away.
Move it only if it is in direct danger.
Put it somewhere safe very close by.

Then walk away.

Sometimes the kindest thing you can do for wildlife is not to rescue it.

It is to give it back. ❤️‍🩹🐦

This article explains more:
https://www.wildbirdrescuedorset.uk/leave-fledglings-alone/

Not sure of the difference between a nestling and a fledgling? This might help:
https://www.wildbirdrescuedorset.uk/help-i-found-a-bird/

Lots of ways to help us here:
https://www.wildbirdrescuedorset.uk/donate/

Or visit our charity shop in Lytchett Minster or shop online at our Vinted page:
https://www.vinted.co.uk/member/294494115

Thank you for helping us protect wild birds, even when that means learning when not to interfere ❤️

22/05/2026

Come along and meet us tomorrow, see what the team does😊

17/05/2026

THANK YOU SUPERVALU BARNA for your generous donation of tinned cat food for our residents at the Sanctuary.
The picture shows staff member Jake about to put it in the van. We are very thankful for your support.

14/05/2026

Would you like to have a great night out & help your local wildlife rescue at the same time? Please join in!

12/05/2026

The ducklings keep coming! When mother duck is taking her clutch to water, within a day of hatching, she can be stopped from crossing a road by heavy traffic. Some of her clutch may get left behind sadly. That's where we help the orphans. If at all possible we try to keep the family together. Last weekend's family were trying to go from Millar's Lane to Kingston. We realised they were trying to get to the ponds in the Golf club..we assisted by getting them over the wall & mother duck proudly led her ducklings to the pond. We love a happy ending.

21/04/2026

Dept. of Agriculture, Food & the Marine.
We wish to acknowledge receipt of our Animal Welfare Grant of €14,800 from D.A.F.M.
This was paid into our bank account in December 2025. We are very thankful for this on going support to help us continue to rescue, rehabilitate & release Galway's Wildlife.

16/04/2026

All helping to capture this poor fox so he can get the help he needs.
Update.
Our volunteer, Rebecca, managed to get a suitable trap on loan & set it in an appropriate place. It worked & she got a call from Ashford Castle at 5.30am, next morning, to say the fox was contained. She drove to Ashford, secured the fox in her car & drove it straight to Kildare Wildlife Rescue, where they are caring for it.

Update- The fox was secured and on the way to Kildare Wildlife Rescue
Finally, I can share some positive news about the fox at Ashford Castle.

Last Sunday, we made the 3 hour round trip and organised a search on foot and a drone search on a forested area. We had great support from the ‘fox squad’ of Galway & Claddagh Swan Rescue and Galway Wildlife Volunteers. We also had great support from Peter, who manages the Lodge Hotel at Ashford.

We started a feeding routine, where he had been spotted. A trap was set but because of his injuries and size, it isn’t suitable. We need to buy a larger trap - if you can help please donate at https://gofund.me/77b832c57. Any extra cash will go to the ‘fox squad’ to help with fuel costs etc.

We are confident of finally getting this fox the help he needs asap.

Thank you for your support

Ru

05/04/2026

Thank you Maeve & all the lady members!
On behalf of our local charity I wish to thank Lady Captain Maeve Coyle for donating an amazing €1,500 to us from the proceeds of the recent fashion show. It was very well attended & a fun night was had by all! We are 25 years in operation this year & we are planning an extensive refurbishment of the Sanctuary so the timing was excellent. Every euro will be put to good use! Galway Golf Club In the picture with Maeve are Avril Hand, Secretary & Mary Joyce-Glynn, Treasurer.

03/04/2026

26/03/2026