Avian vet in London

[Dave Johnson]

Hi everyone i'm new to all this forum stuff,so I thought I would give it a go.I'm joining as raptors are my favourite birds,and I need some info {if it is out there?}I work as a wildlife officer in Central London,and have been keeping an eye on the continuing success of the peregrine breeding in inner london{3 successful pairs last year}I have a schedule 1 licence{peregrines} which covers about half of inner London.When these birds breed[the pair which is close to where I live was on the springwatch programme last year}on buildings,the young on there first flight have great difficulty in getting back to there nest-site and usually end up stuck on a balcony or on the ground and have to be rescued and put back on the roof where they bred.I {with help}have rescued all 5 young {2 in 2004,3 in 2005}from this eyrie and put them back on the roof.My concern is one day one or more are going to get injured[window strikes etc}does anyone out there know of a avian vet in the London{uk} area who {if the worst happens}would be willing to have a look at a injured eyass without charging.I have flown bop before I moved to London{the job dictated the move,I got a lodge with it as well}.But I sure do miss having a bop on my fist and watching them hunt.I have flown sparrow hawks, both sexes,and peregrines, both sexes and started off with a kestrel and buzzard.I do watch the peregrines hunting in London and have seen about 100 successful hunts,and of these 41 kills.The ones I didnt see was because a building or something had got in the way.If you havent fallen asleep could you help on the vet situation.Many Thanks for your time Dave

[Kentish Falconry]

Hi Dave ............. Welcome to the MadHouse also known as the IFF hope you find what you are looking for here.
I am sure one of the London Boys will put you in touch with a good Vet. Please bear in mind that most Vets will look at or treat an injured Wild BoP free of charge. I think there is a charter or something with the BVA
ATB
Terry

[Bengal Owl]

hi m8 sent pm

[Bengal Hawk]

Hi David,
welcome to the forum mate. If you have any luck with the answer please forward me the details as the nearesr vet to me is in Essex about 40 miles away!

Anyway where abouts in central london do you work mate. If your interested in flying or days out, then get in touch as I've made a few contacts in Kent with fellow falconers who are teaching me a few tricks. I'm sure they wouldn't mind if you came along to watch or help......

abs

[EddieT]

David,

Most vets, as you are probably aware, have very little knowledge about birds and even less about birds of prey. Therefore be prepared to travel to get best treatment.

I can't recomend highly enough the work of Great Western Referals in Swindon. www.gwreferrals.com Neil Forbes there is THE veterinary expert on birds of prey and he has several staff working for him that also have a lot of expertise in the field. I have always used him even though it is a 4 hour round trip to get there. GWR will also provide advice to other vets and so you can always ask a vet to call them.

It is not the first time that I have had Neil to thank for the continued hunting life of one of my birds and every mile getting there has been worth it (although vet bills always seam to sting a little!:) )

Swindon is an hour from the M25, so if you want to get the best treatment for a bird get motoring :)

Eddie

[Dave Johnson]

[QUOTE=Bengal Hawk]Hi David,
welcome to the forum mate. If you have any luck with the answer please forward me the details as the nearesr vet to me is in Essex about 40 miles away!

Anyway where abouts in central london do you work mate. If your interested in flying or days out, then get in touch as I've made a few contacts in Kent with fellow falconers who are teaching me a few tricks. I'm sure they wouldn't mind if you came along to watch or help......

Hi I had a few replies but nothing concrete yet,when I do i'll let you know ASAP.I work in Regents Park,i'm tied up with work at the moment but one day in the future i'd love to come out and see some birds flying.Many Thanks Dave
Would it be possible for you to leave your email address on the PM.Dave