A WILDLIFE volunteer has urged residents to help look after the area’s owl populations over the coming months.
Forecasters have predicted this winter could be one of the most severe in 100 years, with temperatures expected to fall to minus 20 degrees celsius.
Annette Pyrah, of Selby Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation, has warned that heavy snowfall could cause suffering for wildlife.
“When snow cover is more than a few inches deep or frozen hard, birds of prey, such as kestrels and barn owls cannot get to their food source such as mice and field voles and anyone finding a bird in distress should seek help immediately.”
Resident have also been advised to look out for animals which may be suffering from poisoning after an incident in Selby this week.
Annette said: “I was called out to a tawny owl, which I suspect is suffering from secondary rodent poisoning. The owl had been sitting on a garden fence for many hours and was still in the same place the following morning. I was able to walk up behind it and capture it quite easily. This is never a good sign. “If you see an owl in distress this winter, please call me.”
To contact Selby Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation, phone 01757 290459, 07803 180720, or visit selbywildlife.co.uk
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