Kildare Wildlife Rescue

19/06/2026

KILDARE WILDLIFE RESCUE 2027 CALENDAR PHOTO COMPETITION IS NOW OPEN

We are delighted to launch our 2027 Fundraising Calendar Photo Competition and invite photographers of all levels to submit their favourite images of native Irish wildlife.

To be eligible, photographs must:
• Be taken in Ireland
• Feature native Irish wildlife
• Be submitted in landscape digital format
• Have a minimum resolution of 2400 x 3000 pixels
• Be saved with the photographer’s name and the county where the image was taken

Please note that photographs of nests or invasive species will not be accepted.

The welfare of wildlife must always come first. Please ensure animals are not disturbed while taking photographs.

Previous entries that did not win may be resubmitted, and multiple entries are welcome.

An optional entry fee can be made via our SumUp store, helping us continue our rescue and rehabilitation work, (link in bio)

Closing date for entries: 31 August 2026

Please send your photographs to [email protected]

Thank you for supporting Kildare Wildlife Rescue. Together, we can make a difference to the lives of Ireland’s wildlife.

19/06/2026

--UPDATE: Sorted! Thank you!

Can you help us get a delivery of fish from Seal Rescue Ireland in Courtown to our hungry patients in Kildare Town?

19/06/2026

Pearse was called to another challenging rescue where a gull had become stuck in a deep window well high on a building.

Thankfully, Pearse was able to contain the gull and climb out to safety. Following a quick on site assessment, the gull was able to be released.

It's not uncommon for animals, especially younger ones, to get caught in man made structures like window wells, balconies and cattle grids. Installing covers or ramps can help protect wildlife.

18/06/2026

Hello,
We are in great need of fish to feed the many patients we currently have in care. Donations can be dropped to the Centre 7 days a week between 9am and 7pm. Large donations can be organised by emailing [email protected]
Thank you!

16/06/2026

A new outbreak of Crayfish Plague has been detected in River Camac in Dublin.

Crayfish Plague is spread by spores that stick to surfaces that have had contact with infected water. Once introduced to a waterway it is not possible to control the spread and is fatal to the Endangered White Clawed Crayfish. Ireland is thought to have the largest surviving population of White Clawed Crayfish and it is important that we protect them.

You can help stop the spread by following the Check, Clean, Dry protocol.

Step 1: Check
Check equipment for any evidence of plant or animal material attached to any and all equipment that has been in contact with water and remove it. Pay special attention to areas that are damp.
Step 2: Clean
Clean equipment, including nets, fishing gear, footwear and boats with water that is a minimum of 65°C.
Step 3: Dry
Allow tondry for 48 hours. Spores survive on damp surfaces for up to 3 weeks. Make sure all equipment is throughly dried. If complete drying is not possible, use a disinfectant.

For more information check out invasives.ie/crayfish-plague There you can see a list of infected sites, report dead or dying crayfish and the presence non-native crayfish that spread this disease.

National Parks and Wildlife Service Ireland
Biodiversity Ireland

15/06/2026

This Long Eared owlet 26-2011 was found at Woodstock Gardens, Kilkenny after falling out of the nest. The owl was secured by staff who contacted our Help Desk and arranged for relay to the centre for care.

Owlets do not fledge like garden birds, instead they go through a developmental period called branching. During this time, young owls will hop from branch to branch in the tree, building their wing strength. On some occasions, a young owl may miss a jump and fall to the ground.

When possible, we always try and reunite young wildlife with their family. Unfortunately, this young bird fractured their leg in the fall. They recieved specialist surgery at CoraVets and we have our fingers crossed for this little one.

If you would like to donate towards covering the cost of the surgery, you can donate at https://www.idonate.ie/cause/KildareWildlifeRescue

Link in Bio

14/06/2026

This young Great Spotted Woodpecker (26-2303) was found in Wexford on its own in a parking lot. Having recently fledged, they are not yet capable of full flight and are being support fed by volunteers every half hour.

Native to Ireland, there was a period of time when Great Spotted Woodpeckers disappeared from the Irish landscape entirely. In 2009, after years of absence in records, a breeding pair was confirmed in Co. Wicklow. Their numbers have been increasing and their range expanding across the country ever since.

13/06/2026

It's Pigeon appreciation day!

We love pigeons at Kildare Wildlife Rescue, here are some of our favourite pigeon facts.

🕊A baby pigeon is called a squab! When they get a little bit older they are also sometimes referred to as a Squeaker!
🕊Pigeons can recognize themselves in a mirror! A rare cognitive ability among animals.
🕊Long before telephone and email, pigeons were used as reliable carriers of messages, they were even used during wartime to send important intelligence and are responsible for saving many lives!
🕊Pigeons have been trained for water search and rescue, by identifying red and yellow life vests they can alert rescuers to the location of the stranded person!

What do you love most about pigeons?

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11/06/2026

The little Red Squirrel (26-1893) found in Powerscourt in May is growing up!

Still relying on bottle feeds, she is beginning to transition solid foods and is actively exploring her nursery enclosure. It won't be long now until she is moved to a larger enclosure to continue her rehabilitation journey.

We currently have a lot of little mouths to feed, if you would like to help us feed our many patients, donations can be made at our idonate page, link in bio.

https://www.idonate.ie/cause/KildareWildlifeRescue

10/06/2026

*An Urgent Wishful Wednesday*

We are in need of a new washing machine for our patient blankets!
Just like this one that can hold 10kg:

https://www.idonate.ie/cause/KildareWildlifeRescue

If you can make a donation towards a washing machine please email [email protected]

We really appreciate your help and support during these busy times.
Please share 🙏

Electrolux 10KG 1400RPM Freestanding Washing Machine - White | EFI61141B from DID Electrical a Guaranteed Irish company. Shop in-store or online today.