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Emergency guidanceYou've found an injured bird. Here's what to do.
Take a breath. Acting calmly and carefully gives the bird its best possible chance — and keeps you safe too. Work through these steps in order.
We specialise in gulls. If you've found a different species, the steps below still help keep it safe — then please use our rescue directory to find the right rehabber.
Message us — it's the quickest way to reach us.
As we are only a very small group of volunteers, the fastest way to get in touch is via our Facebook group. Send us a message with your location, a photo if you can, and a description of the bird's condition.
- iTell us where you are
A street name, postcode or landmark helps us get to the bird quickly. - iSend a photo if it's safe
It helps our volunteers assess the injury before they arrive. - iDescribe what you see
Is it bleeding, tangled, unable to fly, or very still?
The rescue steps
Watch and assess from a safe distance
Before doing anything, observe the bird for a few minutes. Not every bird that looks stranded needs rescuing — and your safety comes first.
- Is it visibly injured, bleeding, or tangled in fishing line or netting?
- Is it unable to fly or stand, or being attacked?
- Young birds (fledglings) on the ground are often fine — the parents are usually nearby. If in doubt, watch first, then ask us.
Put your own safety first
Gulls are strong, frightened wild animals. A scared bird will defend itself.
- Never put yourself in danger — do not step into roads or onto rocks, cliffs, mud or water to reach a bird.
- Protect your eyes and hands. A gull's beak is sharp and it will try to bite.
- If the bird is somewhere dangerous or hard to reach, stop and call us instead.
Contain the bird — gently — if you safely can
If the bird is approachable and you can do so without risk, containing it keeps it calm and prevents further injury while help is arranged.
- Cover it gently with a towel or blanket, then ease it into a sturdy, well-ventilated cardboard box.
- Make sure there are air holes, and keep the box somewhere dark, warm and quiet.
- Handle as little as possible — darkness and quiet reduce stress more than anything else.
- Do not offer food or water unless we ask you to — it can do more harm than good.
Get in touch with us straight away
Once the bird is safe (or if you can't contain it), contact us as soon as possible so a volunteer can take over its care.
- Message us via our Facebook group — the quickest way to reach a volunteer.
- Include your location, the bird's condition, and a photo if you have one.
- Keep the bird calm and contained until we're able to respond.
Help with transport if you can
We're a small team covering a wide area. If you're able to bring the bird to us — or meet us partway — please let us know. It can make all the difference in getting the bird care faster.
- We have drop-off points in Pensarn, Prestatyn and Rhyl — message us to arrange one.
- Keep the box secure, level and out of direct sun or cold during the journey.
Outside North Wales, or can't reach us?
We're a small volunteer group and can't always respond immediately or cover every area. If a bird needs urgent help and you can't reach us, please don't wait — contact one of these for advice:
- Your local vet — by law, vets must accept and assess injured wildlife, usually free of charge.
- The RSPCA (England & Wales) cruelty and advice line: 0300 1234 999.
- A nearby wildlife rescue or rehabilitator — we're happy to help point you to one.
A quick word of reassurance
You don't need to be an expert. Keeping the bird warm, dark, quiet and contained until it reaches someone who can help is the single most valuable thing you can do. Thank you for stopping to help — it matters.
Dos & don'ts at a glance:
✓ Keep it warm, dark and quiet ✓ Minimise handling
✗ No food or water unless advised ✗ Never risk your own safety