Katy's Wildlife Rescues

03/06/2026

Yesterday evening I was alerted to a grounded juvenile Long-Eared Owl🥰
I was able to locate it from the description (well done neighbours of mine). I assessed its condition and place it into my bird backback. Delighted to find he was a well-fed, uninjured bird.
Luckily, as night fell, it's siblings and parents were around calling which helped me located the nest area. I found a tree away from the walking path where it had been, deeper in the wood. Climbed up and replaced him high up🦉🌳
Great success🎉
At this time of year, these owlets start 'branching' , they are not ready to fly but begin practicing out on branches and sometimes fall down.
The parents will continue to feed if they are up in the trees so if it's suitable, that is the best option.

This family of owls is quite probably the 2nd known breeding pair from 5 Long-eared owls I reared and released in the area in 2023 and 2024.
The 2 nests with owlets are exactly 2km apart. So it was like meeting a grandchild😅🦉🩷 I would love to learn bird ringing to be certain.

Here are some tips if you find a young owl:

• Keep dogs, cats and people away from the bird.
• Observe from a distance and check for obvious injuries.
• Avoid handling the owl unless absolutely necessary - even young owls have very sharp talons.
• If the owl is healthy but in immediate danger, place it on a nearby branch or in dense vegetation close to where it was found, use thick gloves.
• Do not take it home unless advised by a wildlife rehabilitator.
• Contact an experienced owl or wildlife rehabilitator for guidance.

🦉 The Barn Owl Project
🦇 Bat Rehabilitation Ireland
🦉 Katy's Wildlife Rescues (messenger Katy Steele )

⚠️ Seek urgent help if the owl is injured, bleeding, has a drooping wing, has been caught by a cat or dog, or if no parents are seen over an extended period.🦉🌳💚

02/06/2026

https://www.rte.ie/news/connacht/2026/0602/1576422-ireland-hedgehog-count/

28/05/2026

These little leverets also had a hard start to life, orphaned as newborns and lost 2 siblings along the way. Luckily, Susan from Bat Rehabilitation Ireland was at hand to take in and stabilise the fragile babies.

I got them after several days. Both are still doing great after a week🥰

The 3 leverets have been introduced to each other today as the injured one is stable enough to handle a bit of bounce.
They're resting quietly together.
They'll be with me for several more weeks🍼🐇🐇🐇🌱✨️💕

25/05/2026

A week ago this tiny leveret came in after a magpie attack with devastating injuries around the eye and head. The finders were very kind and drove her over an hour to me.

The first 24 hours were touch and go - shock, screaming, neurological distress and severe tissue trauma. I honestly didn’t know if she'd survive the night.

Since then it has been round-the-clock care: warmth, fluids, antibiotics, eye treatment, careful feeding, and trying to balance treatment with the stress that wild animals experience in captivity.

The swelling has reduced, the eye was unable to close for 6 days and clouded up frequently from drying out, but I seem to have saved it with consistent eye drops and cream. The eye has begun repositioning naturally again and closing!

She still has a healing journey ahead, but she's sitting up bright-eyed, exploring, nibbling grasses, wild instincts kicking in and putting on weight🥰💚🌱

20/05/2026

I've been asked how to get into volunteering with wildlife. Here's exactly how🥰🙏 Please do it if you have time and energy

Help!
We are currently seeking support volunteers to help at the Centre in Kildare Town!
With the warmer weather has come an influx of wild patients and we need some extra hands!
No experience required.
Email: [email protected]

17/05/2026

Our little grumpy Daubenton’s bat was much happier at 7.4g and going home 💚
Quiet release in very midgey conditions - I chose a sheltered avenue upstream from where he was found, away from houses. It was so lovely meeting this adorable species. He was so funny about eating compared to a pipistrelle - they definitely all have their own little quirks 🥰🌿🦇

11/05/2026

It's always so precious when a bat falls asleep while resting on you, gentle warmth is so important to them.
This poor female Soprano pipistrelle has wing injuries so severe that she will never fly again.

Due to her weight and the time of year I'll be treating her as normal and keeping her in comfortable condition for a week+ to watch for signs of pregnancy.
If that seems to be the case, and she remains stable, I'll keep her for the duration of pregnancy in the hopes of saving a healthy pup.

She had a nights care from the finders who had seen her crossing a yard with birds flying around making a ruckus. With instructions, they managed to feed and hydrate and keep her warm prior to meeting up. It's very unfortunate about the extent of damage to her digits (not shown).
Her injuries are consistent with cat attack. 💔

05/05/2026

My newest patient is an adorable and slightly grumpy-looking Daubenton's bat🥰
He was found by Patricia at her house which overlooks a river on Di**le peninsula. He was very dehydrated and is still underweight but is steady.
Daubenton's bats are our water loving bats that you can see flying over rivers, lakes and ponds catching caddisflies, midges and mayflies.
The feet are disproportionately big and bristled, and are one of their identifying features. They use them to catch the water insects by flying close to the surface of the water and raking the bugs off the film. They are the only UK/Irish species that does this. Clever things❤️

Fingers crossed he puts on some weight in coming days and keeps progressing.

Bat Rehabilitation Ireland
Bat Conservation Ireland

19/02/2026

18/02/2026

I'm delighted to announce I've been accepted on Certificate in Conservation and Nature Interpretation Level 6 by Leave No Trace, starting in March👩‍🎓💚
Another study year, so please follow guidelines for wildlife emergencies outlined in pinned posts if you can't reach me!

Little Soprano pipistrelle is doing great, just waiting on better weather to release.
For the last week I've had a stunning male kestrel, poor prognosis from head and eye injury unfortunately it is unlikely good news for him. (pic from intake, he cleaned up well after). Gorgeous bird, I'll do everything to help and give all the care and dignity, whatever the outcome❤️‍🩹

I have been getting my pre- exposure rabies vaccinations, last week, this week and next. That's because I work with bats and handle them in care too.
We haven't had a case of rabies in Ireland since 1903 and I always wear gloves, but it's important to be cautious. Bats are the only mammals that can potentially fly in from mainland Europe and, potentially again, carry the virus EBLV. Chances are so tiny - but I'm very happy to get my vaccinations for 2026.❤️
Always wear gloves, use soft towels - protects yourself and the animals while you get them to safety☺️