Cliff rescue raven flying again

The young raven has spent two months at a sanctuary

A raven, rescued after being trapped in its nest by a piece of string, is to be released back into the wild.

The young bird was saved by an RSPCA inspector who abseiled down the cliff on Anglesey after it was spotted in difficulty.

After two months recovery at an RSPCA centre in Cheshire, the bird is to be released to join a storytelling of 300 ravens at Newborough on Anglesey.

It is hoped the young bird will learn survival skills from the other ravens.

Dr Andrew Kelly from the RSPCA centre which nursed the bird said: "Joining the roost the raven will get protection and shared knowledge of sources of food."

"Ravens are highly intelligent and it is hoped that our raven will join with the resident ravens to forage and learn the skills it requires for survival."

The bird will be released near a lake where 300 others roost

The RSPCA was called to the raven in May after it was spotted on a cliff face. The bird's mother and siblings had flown the nest, leaving the young raven alone and trapped in its nest by a piece of string.

After examining the situation it was decided the only way to save the bird was to rescue it. RSPCA inspector Tim Jones abseiled down the cliff.

He said: "We were extremely pleased with this rescue back in May but we knew that the bird's chance of survival in the wild at this time was not good."

"Young ravens fledge at about six weeks but are then dependant on their parents for a further three to four weeks after fledging."

The raven was taken to the RSPCA's Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre in Cheshire where it has received specialist care and attention until it was ready to return to the wild.

Care was also taken when deciding to release the bird on the Forestry Commission site to make sure the bird is able to adjust to life in the wild.

Dr Kelly said: "We knew there was a risk to the juvenile if we released it back to its family and instead releasing it to this roost which consists of around 300 birds was a far better option."