Copthorne couple’s heroic efforts save bird of prey

Linda and John Potts, who run the much-acclaimed charity, Swans & Friends Bird Rescue, spent three weeks rehabilitating the young adult buzzard, found in great distress near Horsted Keynes by two passing motorists. They named him Buzz.

Last Saturday, at the third attempt and much to Linda’s and John’s delight - and that of a dozen or more social media followers - Buzz took to the skies again from the same spot where he was found in late April.

“We were thrilled to see him fly again,” said Linda. “He’s a magnificent bird, with not a feather out of place and a huge wingspan of four feet.

“All that we could find wrong was an injured right leg. The chances are he was hit by a car, and became traumatised when he couldn’t get airborne.”

John added: “His leg wasn’t broken, but we were most anxious to get him back to the wild as soon as we could, in case he had a partner nearby.

“His leg gradually strengthened and as buzzards mate for life, the chances are he would have been on hunting duties while the female incubates their eggs”.

East Grinstead man, David Budgen, first saw the buzzard flapping his wings frantically in the road and halted passing traffic.

A delivery driver, following immediately behind, found a spare bread crate in his van and they managed to carefully bind Buzz’s wings together, wrapped him in a sheet and placed him in the plastic tray.

“Many years ago, my wife, Angela, worked with Linda and John at a sanctuary for swans near Outwood,- so I knew exactly who to call for help”, said David.

“Its been a marvellous ending to what could have been a very sad story, had we not stopped and done our best for Buzz.

“Linda and John have done a magnificent job in rehabilitating him and we’re all elated he’s free.

The driver of the van was so incredibly helpful. I thought I was going to get a good telling off for stopping so suddenly, slap in the middle of the road! But no, he couldn’t have been more kind and resourceful.”

David added: “For many years, my father lived at Westall House in Horsted Keynes and we often watched buzzards riding the thermals there. He would tell me about his days learning to fly gliders and how birds of prey are experts at picking up rising columns of warm air. Tragically, we lost Dad just recently and, given his love of flying and the proximity of where I found Buzz, I was determined to do all I could for him and, hopefully, see him fly free.”

Donations to the Swans and Friends Bird Rescue charity in these difficult times, are also appreciated. Call 07712 753919.

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