Wildlife charity brings sanctuary to birds of prey (From Western Telegraph)

Wildlife charity brings sanctuary to birds of prey

A wildlife charity has made a 600-mile journey to Pembrokeshire to provide new enclosures for injured and rescued birds of prey at the Tinkers Hill sanctuary in Amroth.

Wild Aid, a hands on organisation based in Scotland, supports wildlife groups throughout the UK and is no stranger to Pembrokeshire. Its directors, John Hodges and Tim Williams, were among volunteers who came to the county following the Sea Empress disaster in 1996, when they worked with Maria Evans, of Tinkers Hill, on the massive oiled bird rescue and cleaning operation.

Maria currently has 19 birds of prey in her care - ranging from buzzards to a Bengal Eagle Owl - and they were in need of new accommodation before Wild Aid stepped in.

There is no way I could have afforded to pay for the work myself, but Wild Aid have not only funded it but built it as well, she said. I am so grateful to John and Tim, and my volunteer Kevin Dunphy, who have worked their socks off all week to get the enclosures up, and to DWW Fencing, of Swansea, who gave a generous discount on materials. The birds of prey are now settling in well to their new accommodation, which is divided into six flights.

Said John Hodges: We set up Wild Aid ten years ago to provide financial help to improve the welfare of wildlife in care. This is the sort of project we are delighted to carry out - not only helping birds of prey but also the people who look after them.

CAPTION One of Maria Evans resident birds of prey inspects the new enclosures at Tinkers Hill. PICTURE: Gareth Davies Photography.