The picture accompanying this article shows the result of a Barn Owl having had a heavy collision with a lorry. Alas it's top beak is broken and is pushed in, to the degree that it is damaging the flesh on the inside of the lower beak.

With no vets locally able to attempt this repair - not everyone has had the opportunity to gain such experience to effect a lasting repair as strong as the original; so it was an evening dash over to Meltham Wildlife Rescue last Thursday night in order to carry out the procedure with the result you can see in the second photo - which I was pleased to be able to attain.

The owl also had a broken wing which the vets kindly x-rayed for us the following day, and it was hoped that we could pin this as soon as the bird was strong enough for the operation.

Sadly however, and despite Kathy's expert care, the owl passed away overnight on Saturday - the impact of its injuries was simply too much for it to carry on.

On a brighter note, following my usual Sunday visit to Meltham to advise on current treatments for those needing specialist care and to help with staff training, I was able to take a full van-load of donated foodstuffs from the Home Reserve at Rochdale up to our most northerly Reserves and the hospitals of Knoxwood Wildlife Rescue at Wigton near Carlisle. This is SO welcome to the team up there; all their charity shops have now been closed several months, and funds are very much at a premium ... and still the casualties continue to pile in.

Thank you SO MUCH to everyone for their continued support, and I hope with the lockdowns starting to ease this week, we can all look forward to 'more normal' days ahead.

Nigel