The first recovering casualties have moved in to their new home and we hope that they will be suitable for release in the next couple of weeks. A female kestrel came in to Horsebridge from Magham Down. We are unsure why it was in such a poor condition, it could be because it is a juvenile and been struggling to find food over the winter. This bird has now been passed to Bexhill Hawk Rescue which is doing a great job in aiding the bird's recovery. The chickens rescued after falling off a lorry last week now number 25. We were originally told there were six but day by day WRAS rescuers Tony and Tim have managed to catch more and more. They are now being looked after at Uckfield, thanks to the Sussex Horse Rescue.

We have been nursing a pheasant for the past two weeks. It came in from A22 near Hailsham after being hit by a car. It is very common for these birds to become temporary blind and unable to walk after being hit. On examination this bird had deep pain reflexes. We have been monitoring the pheasant using our new CCTV system and this clearly showed the bird attempting to stand and also eating of its own accord, neither of which we thought the birds was doing by just looking through the cage door. The recovery time on these birds is normally about three weeks and we have noticed a distinct improvement in the pheasant's ability to stand. The carers are also giving the birds some physiotherapy to aid with the recovery process.

We have had yet more oiled sea birds this week and we would like to thank the Swan Sanctuary and RSPCA Mallydams for all their help in taking on these casualties. This has been the busiest year for oiled birds for some time with more than 150 phone calls so far.

WRAS is calling for a change in the law as a result of DEFRA saying we could not move the swans at Hove Lagoon last week. Brighton & Hove Council drain the man-made lagoon every year or so for cleaning and most of the swans fly off but a few always stay and are reluctant to leave. These swans are unprotected as the water drains away and become vulnerable to dogs attacking them. Three swans are thought to have been caught by dogs in the past week and the last occasion the lagoon was drained two other swans were injured by dogs. This is a man-made lagoon, man has drained the lagoon, man is feeding the swans making them reluctant to fly off, and man allows his dogs to chase and injure the swans. DEFRA argue that if the swans are wild, are healthy and can take off them it is illegal for us to move them in this situation. I can understand this point in a wild lake which drains due to a leak or drought but not where there is nothing natural about the situation. How many more swans are going to die as a result of man's stupidity and lack of common sense? We need a change in the law to help protect swans in these man-made situations. Please see our website for more details (www.wildlifeambulance.org) and write to your MP and DEFRA to ask for a change in the law.

There has been a large number of young pigeons and doves born throughout December and January which are now coming into care as they are too young and struggling to survive being born in the winter. We are getting more than usual and even other rescue centres are noticing the change. Is this a result of a change in climate?

East Sussex WRAS is a voluntary organisation which relies on donations. We do not receive funding from government nor the RSPCA. Anyone wishing to make a donation should contact WRAS's treasurer Peter Mortimer at Ash Cottage, 73 Friday Street, Eastbourne, BN23 8AY. www.wildlifeambulance.org 24-hour rescue line: 07815 078 234.