Pudge's Flock
The Pigeon Rescue & Rehabilitation Project
About Us
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Pudge's Flock is a voluntary-run, donations-based project located in Ipswich, Suffolk. We are dedicated to helping wildlife by rescueing, treating and rehabilitating pigeons of all colours, shapes and sizes; squab, junior and adult pigeons & doves - as well as a select species of common garden birds. Our love for birds began many years back, and has become our drive to raise awareness and improve welfare of some of the most misunderstood birds...the common town pigeon.
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The project was founded under the name 'Pudge's Flock', by Jo Bulik (a knowledgable & experienced pigeon rehabilitator), to commemorate the loss of Pudge - a beloved rescue pigeon.
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Our Areas of Expertise:
(Updated as of Jan 2020)
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There are birds we know how to treat accurately (such as pigeons), and there are those that we have yet to further educate ourselves on and expand our knowledge. This does impact which species we are able to rescue, treat and rehabilitate - so, if you are unsure, please send an email to pudgesflock@gmail.com to make sure, thank you!
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Birds that we DO accept:
(Species marked red will need to be confirmed via email due to limited spaces available!):
- Feral Pigeon, Domestic Pigeon, Fancy Pigeon
- Wood Pigeon
- Collared Dove
- Robin
- Blue tit, Coal tit & Great tit
- Blackbird
- Corvidae (Jackdaw & Magpie)
- Swift & Swallow
- Sparrow
- Starling
- Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Bullfinch
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Birds that we DO NOT accept:
(This is due to these species needing more specialized treatment that we cannot provide at the time)
- Nuthatch
- Treecreeper
- Woodpecker
- Dunnock
- Wren
- Siskin
- Eurasian Jay
- Flycatcher
-Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush
- ChiffChaff
- Goldcrest & Firecrest
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Please note: we do NOT specialise in the rescue, rehabilitation and release of Birds Of Prey (such as Sparrowhawks, Owls, Kestrels, Buzzards, Falcons etc.) and Waterfowl (Such as Swans, Ducks, Herons, Geese etc.) and Waterbirds (Such as Lapwings, Egrets, Terns, Gulls, Kingfishers). Thank you.
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An Unusual Beginning
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Pudge's Flock began as a small one-man based project in the early 2016-2017. It was an unusual and unexpected idea, but I quickly became very fond of helping our feathered friends. You see, I would go out on long walks near enough every day across fields, parks, countryside...anywhere away from the busy town streets. I began my journeys during Spring, carrying on throughout Summer and coming to a halt in late Autumn, when the weather would become harsh and cold. During my walks I'd infrequently encounter wild birds - especially fledglings - which at times required a little bit of help.
The most common species was that of the beautiful Wood Pigeon. I think often the problem I was met by was that wood pigeon fledglings, and even nestlings, would find themselves on the ground for various reasons - a very interesting one being that; first time parents build very weak and flimsy nests out of sticks. These poorly-made nests can sometimes give way and fall (for example during strong winds), or the gaps are left far too big - and as a result, when the nestling/fledgling begins excitedly wriggling around begging for food, they can sometimes fall through. The most common reason was a nest that was easy to access by cats or birds of prey (such as corvids, sparrowhawks...etc.). These wounded fledglings would be rushed back to my home to treat with firstline antibiotics.
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I had by then acquired contacts with wildlife enthusiasts, pigeon racers, and knowledgeable animal lovers whom guided me with each case successfully. At the time I didn't plan to turn this into a voluntary part-time job; it was more so a case of "I cannot just leave it there". But unexpectedly one day - on February 4th 2018 - I was walking through town in a hurry, headed for a college course when I saw a very poorly feral pigeon puffed up outside the public swimming pool building. Upon closer inspection she was experiencing very severe symptoms of PMV (read more about Paramoxovirus here). She was at death's door and I felt every minute mattered - so impulsively I dropped out of class for the day, caught the beauty and took her home with me. That...was my little Pudge, the inspiration behind Pudge's Flock.
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