Screaming Abdabs Gallery
Oscar (rescued baby seagull) | South Devon | Photographer Helen Duvall
Oscar the baby seagull was an orphan found limping along by a passer by who took him to Kingsteignton Vetenary Practice, they gave him immediate care for his injured leg and then passed him onto Irene Ryder who runs the Angel Baggage Wildlife Hospital which specialises in the rehabilitation of wounded, injured or sick birds, hedgehogs and other wildlife. Oscar was not initially very lively and it transpired that he had internal parasites which needed to be eradicated. He was named ‘Oscar’ as he always put on a performance when being given his medication. When recoverd he became very talkative. Oscar was at the hospital for many months until he was fully grown with his first set of feathers. Initially he spent some time in a cage for his own safety. Eventually he was introduced to outside life in the cage which was left open to allow him the freedom to adjust and integrate with other birdlife. The hospital has many ‘resident’ seagulls who were previous patients and regularly return to visit, taking a snack on food that is always left for them which gives other younger seagulls the opportunity to feed with them and learn their calls. So that Oscar would not feel lonely as the only baby he was given a mirror which provided a friend to look at. He loved his friend and spent large parts of the day standing with his double for reassurance. He learnt how to fly and one windy day he circled the hospital and flew away to start his new life.