gannets in nantwich stapeley wildlife animal centre

Staff at the RSPCA wildlife centre in Nantwich are treating a number of gannets which were blown off course by Storm Desmond.

The seabirds are currently at Stapeley Grange, on London Road, after they were found grounded and exhausted having been blown off-course by the strong winds.

Two of the gannets (pictured) will soon be ready to be released.

One of them was found grounded in Bangor, Clwyd, and the other in Hollyvale, Birmingham.

Staff at the centre are monitoring them to ensure they are eating well and putting on weight before they can be released back into the wild.

Lynsey Cale, wildlife assistant at Stapeley Grange, said: “It is so important they are feeding well and putting on weight, but it is often stressful for the birds and staff to catch and weigh them.

“I was a little worried that one of the two gannets was not eating properly, and so one afternoon I gave them a bowl of sprats and hid behind a fence to watch as I wanted to see who was eating from the bowl.

“I was delighted when I saw the gannet that had not been eating so well at first was tucking into the bowl of fish.

“At last, he was eating and I did not need to worry about his weight anymore.”

Gannets are the largest seabirds in the North Atlantic, with wingspans of up to two metres.

In the UK, gannets are a protected species.

They fly over the sea at heights of around 100ft while searching for fish.

When they find a shoal they can dive from a height of 60ft at speeds of 60mph to catch them.

The RSPCA is a charity relies on public donations to exist.

Anyone who would like to support the vital work of Stapeley Grange can text RSPCA2 to 70007. Texts cost £3 plus standard network rate.

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