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Monday 22 Aug 2022

From rail to rehab – how Network Rail is helping a Cornish wildlife centre nurse animals back to health

Region & Route:

Wales & Western: Western

| Wales & Western

Volunteers from Network Rail are doing their bit to support local wildlife by working with the Cornish Birds of Prey Centre to supply materials and assist with the building of an aviary – a bird enclosure with space for them to stretch their wings – as well as a new wild bird hospital. 

Two hundred sleepers have been donated to the centre by Network Rail, which will be used to build a retaining wall in preparation for the construction of a bird hospital later this year. The sleepers were left over from a recent track renewal in the area, when they were replaced with new ones. Instead of disposing of them, Network Rail felt that they could be put to good use in the local community. 

A team of volunteers from Network Rail will visit the Birds of Prey Centre to help build the new additions this autumn, when their activities will cause the least disruption for the birds and animals that are being cared for. 

Based in Saint Columb, north Cornwall, the Cornish Birds of Prey Centre provides care for mistreated, injured or neglected birds of prey and other wildlife, sometimes taking on animals from private owners and zoos, as well as from the wild.  

At present, alongside the birds of prey there are a number of wild birds being nursed back to health on site, including gull chicks, swallows, ducklings, a young sparrow, starlings and a woodpecker.  

As the number of wild birds receiving care grows each year, the centre requires more space to house them while they return to full strength. It is hoped that the donation of sleepers and other materials will help them look after more wild animals in need, especially after the team of rail volunteers helps with the construction work later in the year. 

Jason Pankhurst, Network Rail’s programme manager for construction services said: “We’re so pleased to be helping the staff at the Cornish Birds of Prey Centre with their mission to look after birds and other wild animals.  

“We know that charities like the Birds of Prey Centre rely on donations and funds received through people visiting their facility, which has made the past few years a challenge with covid restricting their financial options. 

“This partnership shows how railway projects can benefit communities outside of the work we do to build and maintain railway infrastructure, with spare materials being donated to worthwhile causes in the local area. 

“We look forward to getting stuck in and helping with the construction projects in the autumn.” 

Kelly and Andy Grigg from the Cornish Birds of Prey Centre said: “At the Cornish Birds of Prey Centre, we are passionate about providing a caring home for mistreated, unwanted, injured and neglected birds of prey and other animals, whether from private owners or other zoos. 

“Our aim, and the purpose of the centre, is to educate our visitors, allow them to learn more about our magnificent and beautiful birds and provide a relaxed, informed and fun environment. 

“We have just had a lovely donation of railway sleepers from Network Rail, which will be used to build the retaining wall around the bank where the hospital unit is to be built. Thank you so much Network Rail! 

“If anyone would like to help us fund the building of the new hospital, please do check out our fundraising page.”