Released into the wild

The moment was caught on camera by the East Sussex Wildlife Rescue and Ambulance Service (WRAS) who nursed the bird of prey back to health after it was found at the side of the road.

At one stage vets feared the worst for one of the county’s biggest birds, but it pulled through and was released back into its home range along the Broyle at Ringmer on Monday.

WRAS duty rescue co-ordinator Chris Riddington said: “We were so pleased to see him go. This is what we strive to achieve with all the casualties we have come into care.

“We really weren’t sure whether he was going to recover. We are really pleased for him.

“This is yet another example of vital work our out-of-hour rescue service provides.”

The buzzard was found at the side of the B2192 The Broyle between Ringmer and Halland at 11pm on Monday by a passing motorist. Mr Riddington attended to the buzzard which was very dazed and concussed and at WRAS’s Casualty Care Centre at Whitesmith, near Lewes, the bird was given emergency medication under veterinary advice and a wound on its chest cleaned up.

The following morning the buzzard was seen at Henley House Vets in Uckfield where the wound received further treatment and suturing.

Casualty centre manager Lindsay Redfern said: “We have dealt with nine buzzards in the past five years and all of them have had fractures and internal injuries which had caused them to need putting to sleep.

“We have even transported them to other rescue centre elsewhere in the country for specialist veterinary advice and support, but they have all had to be put to sleep.”

WRAS founder Trevor Weeks added: “This had been quite disheartening.

“The buzzard stayed very concussed and dazed most of the week, but then at the weekend he came round and was much more lively.

“He was moved to one of our indoor pen so he could spread his wings and fly. Everyone has been working in our centre with a big smile of their faces just so happy that he has recovered so well.”