Kildare Wildlife Rescue

Kildare Wildlife Rescue proudly work in close partnership with Village Vets GreyAbbey, who provide urgent veterinary treatment and daily clinical support for our wildlife patients.

When animals require surgery or specialist care, Village Vets GreyAbbey steps in to assist with treatment and stabilisation. Once the animals have received the necessary care, they are returned to KWR for further rehabilitation and eventual release back into the wild.

This unique partnership allows us to manage urgent cases swiftly and ensure the highest standard of care for Ireland’s native wildlife.

For more information about village vets and their clinics please visit www.villagevets.ie

Village Vets

Swift Awareness Week is coming to a close, so here are some things you might not know about these incredible migratory birds.

• Swifts travel up to 22,000km every year! They have one of the longest migrations of any bird!
• Swifts have the fastest sustained flight in birds with top speeds reaching nearly 115km/h!
• When Swifts leave the nest they will spend the next 3-4 years flying without ever touching the ground! They sleep, drink, eat and mate while flying and only land to nest.
• The Latin name for the Swift is Apus apus, meaning without feet. Swifts do have feet, but they are very small and poorly adapted for land.
• Unfortunately, Swifts are a red listed species, with declines attributed to changing weather, insect decline and loss of nesting sites. The good news is, by planting native plants to encourage insects and installing nest boxes, we can help Swift populations rebound.

If you find a Swift on the ground, contact your local wildlife rehabilitator. Swifts like this young bird found in Wexford (26-3094) need specialised care so they can successfully return to the wild. Do not attempt to release a grounded Swift from a height as they could suffer further injury.

Come volunteer with us!

We have plenty of reasons to join our team! Help native Irish Wildlife when they are most vulnerable, learn new skills, attend specialised training, and best of all return wildlife to the wild!

No experience is required to start, just a passion for Irish Wildlife and time to give.

We are currently in great need of volunteers who are available Friday-Sunday, but have space everyday of the week!

What are you waiting for?

Email [email protected] for more!