A GROUP of volunteers are “desperate” for people to join ahead of the busiest time of year for rescuing wild birds.
South Coast and Sussex Bird and Gull Rescue Network are worried about birds dying due to a shortage of volunteers to help.
Seagulls start to “court each other” in late March and April and nest-building begins in early May. The group says this will be the busiest time of year for them with around 15 to 20 calls a day.
Justin King, a volunteer who leads the group, is worried that the shortage of volunteers could lead to birds in the city dying.
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The group are active in Brighton, Hove, Worthing and towards Newhaven.
The 53-year-old said: “If there is not enough people on the ground to do this work, all we will be able to do is arrange for drivers to take casualties to wildlife centres.
“In the case of gull chicks, that can be a tough thing to do. Wildlife centres can’t take all these chicks. It’s going to be intolerable this year, anyone who works part time or is free in the evenings, that is great.”
Herring gulls are on the Birds of Conservation Concern 4 (BoCC 4) red list, while nine other species of gull are on the amber list.
Justin added that people who see birds in need of help might have to take care of them while waiting for a volunteer group to come.
He said: “We need people to take birds they see in, regardless of any excuses they may have, they need to take the bird in while waiting for somebody to turn up.
“Keep them in a bathtub with the door closed, in a cage or a box. Do anything, just don’t leave them there. We’re very limited as to where we can take gulls in the Brighton, Hove and Worthing area.”
Bird Aid near Hailsham is one place where gulls can be taken. The centre was fighting for its survival after requiring £170,000 to buy the land after one of its trustees, who invested into the top-of-the-range rescue centre, decided they wanted to withdraw.
Justin said people who want to volunteer can go to his Facebook group, or email him at jusking1969@gmail.com.
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