Powys Species Habitat Protection Group

16/08/2026

Gray has now been released after a short stay with us, following a member of the public bringing him in because he was unable to fly.

On arrival, the main issue appeared to be his ability to push up from one of his legs. After ruling out any serious damage, we placed him in one of our larger flights, with plenty of branches and perches to encourage him to move around and build his strength.

Over time, Gray began to show a huge improvement. His strength and confidence returned, and he can now fly beautifully.

It was fantastic to see him back where he belongs — free and flying once again! 🦉❤️

16/08/2026

Well, it’s been rather busy here with the holidays and the hot weather!

We had the pleasure of releasing Radar, who came to us at just three weeks old after being found on a driveway with injuries consistent with a fall.

After an extensive search, a nest couldn’t be identified, and with no sign of his parents, Radar was raised and cared for until he was ready to return to the wild.

It was a wonderful moment to see Radar back where he belongs.

08/07/2026

STOP. RELEASING. BALLOONS!!!!

We cannot believe that today in the news we have seen balloons releases for a vigil. We understand and respect that gatherings and collective grieving can help those bereaved and help people come together to avoid isolation, bring hope and gain closure. Balloon releases are often done with love, remembrance, or hope. Many people are told that balloons “go to heaven” or simply disappear. Sadly, this is NOT what happens.

❌Balloons don’t vanish. They come back down.
❌And when they do, they become litter—on land, in rivers, and in our oceans—causing real and lasting harm to wildlife, animals, and the environment.

When balloons deflate or burst, the fragments can:

➡Be eaten by wildlife, birds, marine animals, and livestock
➡Cause choking, intestinal blockages, and starvation
➡Entangle animals, leading to injury or death
➡Contribute to long-term plastic and latex pollution
➡Even “biodegradable” latex balloons can take years to break down, and during that time they remain dangerous.

Choosing kinder alternatives

Honouring a loved one or marking an event doesn’t need to harm the world we all share. There are many meaningful alternatives, such as:

💚Planting trees or wildflowers
💚 Helping with community incentives to help those less fortunate
💚Lighting candles at home or at organised vigils (following fire safety recommendations)
💚Writing messages or memories and keeping them in a shared space (again avoiding them being outside where they can degrade and become litter)
💚Making donations
💚Taking part in acts of kindness

💚 Good intentions don’t always equal good outcomes—but choosing better alternatives can protect animals, wildlife, and our planet.

If you’d like to learn more about the environmental impact of balloon releases, the Marine Conservation Society explains it clearly here:
👉 https://www.mcsuk.org/what-you-can-do/ocean-friendly-living/dontletgo/

05/07/2026

We had a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker fledgling come into our care after colliding with a window. The impact was severe, with bruising visible all down his little body.

When he arrived, Woody was struggling with his balance and was using his wings to compensate, a clear sign of the trauma he had suffered. We managed to get him comfortable, and he soon started feeding himself. He was beginning to show encouraging signs that he was on the road to recovery, giving us hope that he might pull through.

Sadly, when we came down the following morning, we found that he had passed away during the night.

Not every story has the ending we hope for, but we're grateful we were able to give him warmth, comfort, and care in his final hours.

Fly free, little Woody. ❤️🪶

04/07/2026

Today's rescue was this beautiful buzzard after a kind-hearted member of the public noticed it was struggling to fly before watching it disappear into a gully. Thankfully, they gave us a call and stayed with the location until we arrived, ensuring we could find the bird safely.

This gorgeous buzzard is incredibly lucky to have been spotted. From the road, you would never have known it was there, and without that caring lady taking the time to stop and help, things could have ended very differently.

The buzzard is now safe in our care. After some much-needed fluids and a good meal, they're already looking brighter and have started to pick up. For now, they'll be enjoying some well-earned rest, and once they're feeling stronger and back to their feisty self, they'll be moved to one of our outdoor flight aviaries to continue their rehabilitation.

A huge thank you to the lovely lady who stopped, cared, and made that phone call. Your kindness has given this magnificent bird the chance it deserves. ❤️🦅

03/07/2026

🦉 Found a sick or injured wild bird?

Please don't panic—we're here to help.

27/06/2026

Pleasew help if you can, every donation makes a difference 🦉🦉🦉🦉🦉

Help Species Habitat Protection Group reach their goal by donating or sharing with your friends.

26/06/2026

🦉 A lucky escape for this Tawny Owl 🦉

Our local vets contacted us after this beautiful Tawny Owl was brought in following a collision with a vehicle.

On arrival, it was clear they were incredibly lucky to be alive. They had suffered severe bruising to the side that took the impact, and the swelling was so significant that it wasn't immediately possible to assess the full extent of the injuries.

As the swelling gradually subsided, it became apparent that one eye had been badly damaged. Following further examination by the vets, they were diagnosed with a detached retina, leaving them completely blind in that eye.

Despite this, they have shown remarkable determination throughout their recovery. They are now flying well in one of our outdoor flight aviaries, where they continue to build strength and confidence.

Before any decision is made about release, we will be carefully assessing whether they can fly safely, navigate obstacles, and hunt effectively. Research has shown that owls rely heavily on their incredible hearing to pinpoint prey, meaning some individuals can successfully adapt to the loss of vision in one eye.

We're hopeful this resilient bird will continue to improve, and if they demonstrate they can survive independently, we'll have the privilege of releasing them back into the wild where they belong.

A huge thank you to our local veterinary team for their care and support, and to everyone who continues to support our rescue work.

💚 Every owl deserves a second chance.