Sir,
The Oiled Bird Rescue Centre at West Williamston has received the first Manx Shearwater of this season and would be grateful if anyone finding any of these black and white birds would pick up the phone and dial (01646) 651236.
This year's young birds are now leaving Skomer Island where they are born and migrating for their first winter to the warmer waters of southern Portugal.
The migratory season starts towards the end of August and continues until mid October, so help from local people and holidaymakers is seriously needed to rescue these valuable young birds and to get them to the Centre at West Williamston.
As always happens, a number of these nocturnal birds become stranded on land and are unable to 'take off' again satisfactorily. It is vital that if anyone finds one of these birds, could they please rescue it.
Ideally, it needs to be put in a cardboard box with air holes and either brought to the Centre at West Williamston or please phone to enable the bird(s) to be collected.
Posters have been put up in the area with further details, but other numbers to contact are: Nigel Rossiter mobile 07974-387715 for 'collection' or Audrey Harrison for 'Drop Off Point', Pembroke Dock, tel. (01646) 683462, or the Oiled Bird Rescue Centre Lower House Farm, West Williamston, tel: (01646) 651236,
If no-one is available to speak to you at the Centre, please leave a message and your telephone number on the answer phone, so we can get in touch with you.
Over the many years that this Centre has been operating since 1980 on a voluntary daily basis, the large variety of birds - both sea and inland - that have been cared for and treated and nursed has earned this centre a long-lasting and good reputation for its work in conservation.
We look forward to making new friends and renewing contact with valued friends from previous years, whenever you can help in this rescue operation.
Jean Hains,
Oiled Bird Rescue Centre,
Lower House Farm,
West Williamston,
Kilgetty.