One of Britain’s rarest birds has been nursed back to health after being found emaciated at Gatwick Airport.
The female nightjar, a medium-sized nocturnal bird, was found too weak and underweight to fly at one of the terminals.
Wildlife carer Carly Ahlen, who founded and works at Gabo Wildlife, an organisation that rescues migratory birds, was called to take care of the feathered friend.
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She spent a week hand-feeding it insect after insect to help build up its weight.
The bird was found on 25 August.
And the lucky creature is finally out of the woods.
“This enigmatic bird was found suffering from exhaustion by staff at Gatwick,” Carly told What’s The Jam.
“I had to force-feed it insect after insect every few hours to build up its body weight.
“It was quite miraculous to watch her transform into a strong and healthy bird.
“She also had the most magical, soulful eyes.”
Once the nightjar was at an ideal weight of 75g, she was taken to a secret wildlife reserve in Kent with an abundance of insects and suitable habitats.
She will fatten up before migrating across oceans, mountains and deserts to Africa for the winter.
Nightjars can be seen hunting for food at dusk and dawn.
Their shape is similar to a cuckoo, with pointed wings and long tails.
There are thought to be just a few hundred left in the UK.
Their numbers have been hit by roadkills.
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