Our Swift station evolved from the founder of Gabo Wildlife, Carly Ahlen, and her idea for the UK's first wildlife clinic dedicated exclusively to the rescue and rehabilitation of migratory birds, such as swifts, house martins and swallows, due to lack of specialists who follow good practices and optimal protocol. Common swifts feed upon insects solely. Feeding any alternative will have serious consequences and, worse yet, death.
Whilst initially running the project all alone, Carly quickly realized that she had to find volunteers to be able to handle the steadily increasing workload and intake of red-listed birds from across Kent, Essex and even London. Gabo wildlife also work closely with highly respected Swift expert, Edward Mayer of Swift Conservation.
A small team of dedicated Swift transporters supported the rescue of grounded swifts and transported them directly to our Swift station. Gabo Wildlife grew, as did our reputation as a specialised rehabilitation centre for our all-voluntary and donation-financed Swift Station based in Kent, which enables us to help even more vulnerable birds.
Since then, we continue to provide expert rehabilitation and high standards of care, working alongside two expert avian veterinarians and following German protocols to give these magnificent birds a second chance at life back on the wing.
We have dreams for a larger clinic but again funding remains a major issue of concern, for instance, insects, veterinary support, x-rays, medicines,, operation material costs greatly so we are always grateful to any support