Gulls are Hatching

Throughout the Summer months gull chicks will be hatching all over the city and in coastal areas. In the city gull parents choose tall buildings for their nest sites. They particularly like flat roofs on which to rear their noisy brood.

When the chicks are ready to fledge (leave the nest) they jump and flutter down on to pavements , alleys, car parks, gardens etc. As they are unable to fly at this stage the parents feed and guard them, often dive-bombing anyone who interferes. It can take up to two weeks for the flight feathers to develop.The gull chicks are almost as big as the adults. Their feathers are brown and speckled. The chicks should never be removed, as the parents are feeding them, unless they are on the street. If they must be moved to a safer place it should be very close by so that the parents can see them.

Many fledglings stay on the ground for a period of time after they leave the nest as their flight feathers are not developed. These include rooks, hooded crows, jackdaws, magpies, mistle thrushes, pigeons and many more. Their parents feed them, guard them and teach them to fly.

Please do not remove any of these birds in the mistaken belief that they are injured. They need the protection and example of their families so as to survive in the wild.

Galway & Claddagh Swan Rescue

Galway and Claddagh Swan Rescue

Emergency Phone Number : 086 3826471

Galway & Claddagh Swan Rescue is appealing to the public to exercise extreme care when parking and driving away in the vicinity of the Claddagh Hall and Claddagh Quay. Swans lie beside the cars and do not get up when an engine starts. Since September 2008 nine swans have been driven over and killed and a few more were so badly injured they had to be euthanaised.

The emergency phone number is 086 3826471

I can also be contacted on 086 8155361

Migration

Flocks of Whooper Swans have arrived from Iceland to spend the Winter months grazing and feeding on turloughs and grasslands. They have been seen at Rahasane in Craughwell.

Galway & Claddagh Swan Rescue.

Galway & Claddagh Swan Rescue is in operation for more than seven years. We are a small voluntary group based in Galway City. We are involved in the protection and conservation of all wetland birds, indigenous and migratory. We rescue and treat injured and weak birds. It is great to release a healthy bird back into it's own territory.
We do call outs around the city and county. We also do rescues in surrounding counties. We are called by members of the public, the Gardaí, G.S.P.C.A, Sports Grounds and Golf Clubs. A lot of our work involves giving advice over the phone. We get calls seeking advice from all over the country as we appear to be the only voluntary group providing this service for the city, county and the people of Ireland.