Feathered stowaways found aboard Royal Navy destroyer rescued by Sidlesham charity

The youngsters’ nest was tucked away so discretely on board HMS Defender that the crew did not find their new shipmates until after they had set sail from Portsmouth last month.

Staff from Brent Lodge Wildlife Hospital, as well as The Happy Hedgehog Rescue, offered advice to the crew on how to keep the fledglings alive by feeding and keeping them warm with limited resources during their five-day adventure on the seas.

Once HMS Defender was back in dock at Portsmouth Naval Base the feathered recruits were transferred to Brent Lodge, where they were treated to a square meal and then given a comfy, warm bed.

Fundraising manager Asha Park said: “All the staff at Brent Lodge would like to say a huge thank you to The Happy Hedgehog Rescue in Yateley and all those responsible for working together to help with this somewhat unusual rescue, particularly to the lovely personnel on board HMS Defender who went out of their way after finishing work to ensure the youngsters didn’t sneak off again on another mission.”

The pigeons will remain at the wildlife hospital until they are ready to be released, along with the many other patients currently residing there.

Brent Lodge provides life-saving care and rehabilitation to over 3,500 injured, sick and orphaned wild animals each year.

The hospital has remained open throughout the lockdown, to take in wildlife admissions, but its shops were forced to close, cutting off the main source of income for the charity.

Its five charity shops reopened last month with restrictions in place to help with social distancing.

Visit www.brentlodge.org to find out more about how you can help support the wildlife hospital.

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