Air rescue for an injured bird

The injured buzzard that was flown to hospital by Leighton Buzzard pilot Graham Mountford

Businessman and marine mammal medic Graham Mountford flew the injured bird-of-prey from the East Sussex Wildlife Rescue and Ambulance Service (WRAS) hospital in Whitesmith to Vale Wildlife Hospital in Gloucestershire, where she underwent a complicated surgical pinning operation.

The journey – which would have taken several hours by road – was completed in 40 minutes.

Graham was called in to help by his old friend WRAS founder Trevor Weeks, former national co-ordinator for British Divers Marine Life Rescue.

After the mercy mission, Trevor said: “This saved the buzzard hours in a hot car on the motorway and a lot of stress. It’s given her the best possible fighting chance. and thankfully the Vale has the facilities to accommodate this sort of bird.”

All being well, she will be released back into the area where she was found.