Yorkshire Dales Wildlife Rescue

28/10/2026

Today we met two people who have given the title of 'Swan Angels'. These folks are individuals who are members of an accidental community. They don't know each other, they don't know of each other, they have no ego, no agenda, just looking out for their wildlife friends in the areas they frequent. These angels know their friends, give them names, feed them, know their family histories, and then get them help if they need it. We have been out to help two of these angels and their friends today, as well as dealing with numerous other calls for swans in different areas.
The fist swan we turned out to, was Lily. This one is is a cygnet on the canal between Nelson and Colne and had fishing line tightly wrapped around it's leg, with a fishing hook stuck into its foot. The parent birds were also attacking it, and it desperately needed rescuing. Jill and Jane went out and met our new friend and Swan Angel Lorraine, and we were able to coax it into the side and grab it, without having to deploy the boat! Lilly has come back to Horton due to the swelling and lameness caused by the fishing tackle.
The second swan call out was Foulridge, where we met the second Swan Angel, Barbara. In the fading light, she spotted one of her friends entrapped in fishing line, which fishermen were pulling her in on. The swan was screaming in distress, so Barbara stepped in. The line snapped and the swan shot off, still calling out in distress. Erica, Bob and Jane went out with head torches (and a boat in case) to meet with Barbara. Both her swan friends were located, but separate and both were free of fishing line, so had managed to free themselves. Both will be rechecked in daylight.
Another swan we were contacted about was an adult swan in Lancaster who had become trapped in some scrub and trees. Our hero this time wanted to help, but was worried by the myth 'a swan can break your neck'! We explained that the only time we have encountered such danger, is when we have tripped up trying to catch one 😂. Jess and hubby relocated this swan to the canal and no necks were broken ♥️.
Thanks to all our swan angels, giving hope and kindness in a difficult world 🙏🦢

25/10/2026

We have rescued and released 50 to 60 owls this year, but somehow Arthur made the press!
It's all spreading the word and good news, even though some of the story isn't quite right 🙄. Penny Hunt was also involved somewhere in our journey 😂😂😂😂. CO FOUNDER! There absolutely wouldn't be a YDWR without her too, and everyone else we have met and who has helped us along the way. Teamwork really does make the dream work ♥️🙏🦉
A huge thank you to the wonderful Nickie who went to get the owl from the river, and who then transported to Kingsway Veterinary Group, who warmed and x-rayed Arthur, before he was transported to us by our Vicky Jenkins ♥️. He spent the night in our large incubator, and was kept topped up with fluids. His wounded foot turned out to be fairly superficial, so a few pumps of good stuff daily and as soon as the storm dies down, he can go home. Arthur is in fabulous condition, one of the most luxurious tawny owls we have ever met! Nickie is going to collect and release him, so she gets to enjoy both sides of his journey ♥️🙏🦉. The article is a nice recognition of our work, with some nice pictures 🤗

https://www.keighleynews.co.uk/news/26666564.owl-trapped-near-water-silsden-rescued-volunteers/?utm_term=Autofeed&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwdGRjcAVLH1JjbGNrBUsfTmV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHBkb2YBc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMzUwNjg1NTMxNzI4AAEebR9dMMTbijntHDqn_1JwxPQlwKHAqWLAaMJKgE0yMpB6wkD66piQNVz3Cw8_aem_v-IYvdTyEl10q8vtees92w =1792797108

This sounded like a concerning situation initially - but turned out to be a bit of a hoot 🦉

24/10/2026

Meet poor Blossom.
We don't expect to see fly strike at this time of year, but this year we have been presented with so many unexpected things, we are becoming less surprised with most things 😥. We have had 3 tawny owls covered in the same and hatched maggots too, really quite horrific to imagine for the poor creatures, and thoroughly unpleasant to deal with for us!
It took several hours to rid Blossom of her burden of hundreds of thousands of these tiny eggs, each single one glued in place, with the potential to hatch and burrow into her and start eating her alive. We gave supportive fluids and kept her warm, giving her breaks in an incubator. She was sore with infected ringworm, which the flies had taken advantage of, laying their eggs deep into her sore wounds. Once hydrated, we could give her pain relief.
Just before we left the rescue last night, we heard one of the best sounds we can hear, the sound of crunching coming from her incubator. She was tucking into a bowl of kitten biscuits ♥️
This morning, she is moving around well and tonight she will also start treatment for lungworm which she has a huge burden of.
Everything crossed for this gorgeous girl who was quickly picked up from Skipton Girls High School, by our long term friend and transport volunteer, Julie Jagger 🙏♥️🦔

We absolutely rely on transport volunteers to help in emergencies like this. Please consider joining our transport team. We need cover from all areas, and try to help with leapfrogging, to keep journeys down.
We take in wildlife from Cumbria, Lancashire, West Yorkshire, Harrogate, Northallerton and further afield, as well as more local places. Please help us help wildlife in need 🙏.

22/10/2026

No two days the same..........

22/10/2026

Whilst we have been a little quiet on socials, we haven't been quiet at rescue, and many of the team have been struck with flu bugs, so we have full on, including some very volunteer time consuming rescues and incidents.

One of these incidents was when were alerted to a young roe deer near Nelson, who was found hung, trapped and injured on barbed wire. A paramedic did his stuff, freeing her and bandaging her wound, whilst a couple of heroes working nearby wrapped her and kept her warm and started calling everyone and anyone for help. They were directed to us, and brought her to us ****please see footnotes re the dangers even small deer can present****. We were lucky to have our vet Fia working nearby, and Jill retired nurse already preparing to take the deer. We have no idea how long this poor mite had been hung up, she had no fight or flight left in her, which for roe deer is unusual. She was quickly pooped on a drip, stitched and medicated and placed in a warm and dark padded enclosure. We did our very best, and it wasn't enough, and we are gutted, but she didn't die thrashing around in pain, unable to free herself from the barbed wire.

Please understand, that when we can't come out for something that could easily be caught and transported to us, we aren't being difficult we are often tied up on more challenging and time consuming incidents, and of course most of us are doing this on our days off from our paid jobs 🤗🙏. Just before, two of the team had been out to assess a badger stuck in a barn.

*****Footnote - any deer, however small can present huge dangers to humans and themselves due to captivity. Even those with no horns, can give nasty injuries with their hooves. PLEASE SEEK ADVICE BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY KIND OF RESCUE. Many deer, die from capture myopathy, so they are better off being treated in situ and then released. This wasn't the case with our young lady above, but these incidents must be discussed with rescue professionals in every attempt to achieve the best outcome. We can't save them all, but we can do our very best.

22/10/2026

Fab piece this morning in the Craven Herald & Pioneer online! Thanks so much to the team there for this. And if you haven't got your calendar yet, HURRY. They are incredibly popular and selling faster than we ever anticipated! Which is wonderful news for the animals in our care, with all the funds going to them ❤️

THE Sewing Bee's Patrick Grant has launched a Yorkshire Dales-based wildlife charity's fundraising calendar.

18/10/2026

If you haven't already, please take a minute to vote for us. Today is the last day. This amount of money would make a huge difference to our world 🤞🙏🤗🦔🦉

We could receive a £5,000 donation with your help through the Movement for Good Draw.

17/10/2026

A really important part of our journey in wildlife rescue includes days like today, where three of our Trustees, including our volunteer vet, attended the BWRC in person Symposium in Mansfield. A CPD day, networking with professionals, learning, meeting other rescue professionals, and taking part in discussions.
We are proud associate members of the BWRC, and comply with their 10 principles. This is for the benefit of the wildlife we care for and the reassurance of those trusting us with wildlife casualties and orphans, and for the partners and professionals we work alongside to achieve the best outcome.

15/10/2026

We love to celebrate and support our volunteers, it is the very least we can do when they give their time to our wildlife rescue work. Pop over to her website and see her beautiful wildlife based designs. Did someone say 'Christmas'? ♥️
https://jennychallenger.co.uk/collections/all?page=5&shem=aimgspe,&fbclid=IwVERDUAU9lG9leHRuA2FlbQIxMABwZG9mAXNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHj1SRt6uEXJaksknIaTrMFOSvH0MxFIvAq2poegoRhXQcRZISFvpCe4ShH9j_aem_uI28qi6IrCZthyZIDuILgA

Jenny Challenger

12/10/2026

Patrick Grant, our Patron, LOVES our new calendar. As you can see from the video, he's passionate about its importance for wildlife. Join him and have a hedgehog in your hall, a badger in your bathroom and an owl in your office - whilst helping us save even more wildlife in need ❤️❤️ Mail order link below
https://www.yorkshiredaleswildliferescue.com/product-page/2027-calendar

Full list of local stockists to be confirmed by the end of the week so we will be in touch again then!