Tinker's Hill Bird sanctuary

14/06/2026

Even though you know it;s a virtual certainty you'll lose these tiny tiny ones, no matter how hard you fight for them, it's still gutting when you lose them. RIP littlest one, you were loved and cared for

13/06/2026

This one might be a challenge, but we'll do everything we possibly can!

12/06/2026

UPDATE. LATEST PIC ADDED! Our latest babies, let's play 'guess the baby bird' any ideas?

09/06/2026

Nature is amazing

A crow settles onto the ground, spreads its glossy black wings, and invites a swarm of ants to crawl through its feathers. To human eyes, the scene may seem bizarre. But in the hidden wisdom of the natural world, this fascinating behavior is known as **anting**.

Crows and other intelligent corvids have been observed allowing ants to move across their bodies—or even rubbing ants directly into their plumage. Why? Many ant species release **formic acid** as a defense mechanism, and scientists believe birds may use this natural chemical to help control feather mites, bacteria, fungi, and other tiny parasites hiding deep within their feathers.

There are no medicines, no manufactured tools, and no outside help involved. Instead, this remarkable act showcases millions of years of instinct and adaptation: a clever bird harnessing nature's own chemistry for survival.

In the wild, survival isn't always dramatic or beautiful. Sometimes, it's a crow lying quietly in the dust, borrowing the power of ants to protect the feathers that allow it to fly, thrive, and endure.

🐦🐜 Nature often reveals that the most extraordinary solutions are found in the simplest behaviors.

04/06/2026

IMPORTANT REMINDER!!!! The rescue is entirely operated by one person most days... Maria is tireless but does need to sleep!! Please don't ring after 9pm or before 8am unless it's a swan or bird of prey ABSOLUTE EMERGENCY!
Maria will always try to respond but the sheer number and variety of birds she helps is unmanageable without some sensible boundaries. Thank you everyone for your understanding and support. :)

03/06/2026

Lots going on! Our three tawny babies have moved to an outside flight, we have released the woodpecker who flew away very happily healed! The work is progressing on flight repairs and we can hopefully then move on to building two new flights - incredibly exciting!! Thank you to those of you lovely folk who have helped with funds for this, your support is huge to us and what we do! If anyone has spare pennies to throw our way for this project here's the link. Thanks!! https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/tinkers-hill-amroth

02/06/2026

Anyone able to help us with some landscaping? Please pm if yes...

02/06/2026

So often we judge without understanding...

Smells a dead mouse from a mile away. Eats anthrax for breakfast. Prevents epidemics just by existing.

The turkey vulture — the most important bird nobody respects.

THE NOSE:

→ Best sense of smell of any bird on Earth
→ Can detect ethyl mercaptan (decomposition gas) from 1+ mile
→ Gas companies add the same chemical to natural gas lines
→ Turkey vultures have circled gas leaks — engineers follow them

THE STOMACH:

→ Stomach acid: pH ~1 (nearly pure hydrochloric acid)
→ Destroys anthrax, botulism, cholera, hog cholera
→ Eats diseased carcasses that would otherwise spread epidemics
→ Essentially a flying biohazard disposal unit

THE BALD HEAD:

→ No feathers = bacteria can't get trapped when eating carrion
→ UV sunlight sterilizes the bare skin
→ Same reason vultures sunbathe with wings spread (UV sterilization)

THE FLIGHT:

→ Soars for hours without flapping (uses thermals)
→ Distinctive "wobbly" flight with wings in shallow V
→ Can cover 200 miles per day searching for carrion

WITHOUT VULTURES:

→ In India, vulture populations crashed 99% due to a cattle drug
→ Result: rotting carcasses, feral dog explosion, rabies epidemic
→ Tens of thousands of human deaths attributed to vulture decline

Respect the cleanup crew.

You need them more than they need you.