A WHITCHURCH woman who helped play a part in the rescue and release of a young sparrowhawk trapped on a roof last week says he was a ’lucky boy’.

The sparrowhawk – which was named Jack Sparrow – was trapped on the roof of buildings in Whitchurch High Street under netting designed to hold old tiles in place while heavy rains and a thunderstorm raged above.

Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service was called in to safely remove the bird and he was then handed over to the experienced hands of Cuan Wildlife Rescue.

READ MORE: Whitchurch residents help rescue trapped male sparrowhawk

Jenny McHale, from Whitchurch, had been liaising with the Rescue and firefighters and last week was invited to attend his release back into Jubilee Park.

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She said that he did well to survive the weather and being trapped.

“He is one very lucky bird,” she said.

A furious 'Jack Sparrow', the sparrowhawk trapped in Whitchurch and was recently released. A furious 'Jack Sparrow', the sparrowhawk trapped in Whitchurch and was recently released. (Image: Jenny McHale.)

“Luckily nothing was broken and was just very bruised and cut.

“He was soaked to the skin and cold as his wings were tangled up in the wire.

“He had no way of keeping dry through the thunderstorm and would have been dead by Sunday.”

Jenny filmed Jack Sparrow’s release in Jubilee Park last week and was full of praise for the work that the Rescue works do.

And she amplified their stark warning about life becoming harder for birds.

 'Jack Sparrow', the sparrowhawk trapped in Whitchurch and was recently released, is treated by Cuan staff. 'Jack Sparrow', the sparrowhawk trapped in Whitchurch and was recently released, is treated by Cuan staff. (Image: Jenny McHale.)

She added: “Cuan Wildlife came to the rescue and they have had 5,000 animal cases brought in this year alone.

“They are amazing.

“On their way back they went to rescue a swan so they are forever on a mission.


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“What an amazing job they do – it would be fabulous for people to help them.

“They said there has been a shortage of Swallows and Housemartins and they have had so many bats starving as there is a shortage of insects.”

For more about the rescue, head to https://cuanwildliferescue.org.uk/