14th Oct 2025
Our rescued gull is making wonderful progress under the care and guidance of Claire Kavanagh, SNA. 
Earlier this week, she was checked over by the veterinary team at Fachtna Collins Bantry. Thankfully, her injuries were only superficial and have been healing well with some gentle care and anti-inflammatories.
In the evenings, she enjoys spending time on her “crow’s nest” before settling into her secure, fenced-in bed in the sitting room. When she’s ready to rest, she hops down and makes her way to the boot room, where her straw-filled cardboard box awaits. During the day, she has access to a large stable — complete with a sea buoy and plenty of food and water — where she can practice flying and continue to build her strength.
She’s improving every day, and we’re hopeful she’ll be ready for release soon. The students have been following her recovery with great interest and have learned some fascinating facts along the way — for example, gulls can drink both sea and fresh water! They have special glands above their eyes that filter out the salt, which they then expel (quite dramatically!) through their noses.
This project, led by Claire Kavanagh, SNA, has provided a unique hands-on learning experience for our students and a wonderful example of compassion and care for wildlife.
