Rarest oiled bird released
Image: Arctic skua being washed at West Hatch
An arctic skua is the first bird to be released back into the wild by the RSPCA, after being coated in a gluey substance confirmed as polyisobutene (PIB).
The rarest of the oiled birds to be rescued, the arctic skua was discovered in the second wave of birds washed up along the coastline coated in PIB - an oil additive often used in ship engines.
The substance coats the plumage of the birds, rendering them helpless by restricting their mobility and preventing them from feeding.
The RSPCA reported treating over 300 birds in the first incident, which took place in February, and estimates that over 1000 affected birds have washed up along the south coastline since 9 April.
The majority of birds have been guillemots, and this arctic skua was the only one of its kind to be found coated in the substance. After being cared for at the RSPCA's West Hatch wildlife centre in Taunton, Somerset, it is said the bird recovered quickly.
Volunteer Dave McDonald, who was present at the bird's release, said: "He was raring to go…as soon as we opened the box used to transport him he was flying directly out to sea and we just lost sight of him. We all love seeing that."
Centre manager Peter Venn, added: “This is a great early result after another two weeks of seeing so many badly affected birds come through our doors."
The RSPCA has joined the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) and the Wildlife Trust in calling for a ban on the discharge of PIB at sea.
Photo credit: Steve Trewhella
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