Saturday afternoon brought a telephone call from Sarah and Jo in Tolleshunt D’arcy who had found a Tawny Owl in Jo’s pond that was caught up in the netting. They managed to extricate him with a great deal of effort, as the netting was completely wrapped around every limb and body part, and was a particularly strong form of netting – Darcy had been unable to free himself and was rubbed raw under his wings and on the legs. Poor little thing, he must have been in a lot of pain. Sarah very kindly brought the bird to me and, upon inspection, I found a few more bits of the nylon netting, which I removed, and one foot was bleeding where it had been rubbed raw. Administered painkiller, antibiotics and Dermisol cream on the foot, and fed him later than evening. We have no idea how long Darcy had been trapped but pleased to find he has a good swallow reflex but was very thin and weak. Where limbs have been constricted you have to keep checking them as the swelling can appear some hours later. Delighted that he made the night and medicated and fed him again this morning. Guarded prognosis at the moment as so much else could be going on internally. Will keep you posted on how he gets on…

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