A Nottinghamshire family have set up a wildlife rescue service to honour the memory of their late bird-enthusiast father.
Robert Slaney was known as the ‘birdman’ to people in and around Warsop for his decades of volunteer conservation work.
He died in March last year aged 67, following respiratory problems.
His family, including his children Glen Slaney and Becky Cotton, decided to follow in his footsteps and provide a haven for injured wildlife.
They established the Warsop Wildlife Rescue Team a year ago.
“Dad was no longer around but we were still getting pleas from people who’d found birds and animals that needed help,” co-founder Becky said.
‘Birdman’ Robert became known as the go-to person in the Warsop area of Nottinghamshire if they found animals in need of care.
It followed his experience with local bird ringing groups and working with the RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds) and BTO (British Trust for Ornithology) researching migration patterns.
Robert’s son Glen, who co-founded the team, grew up attending to birds and animals with his dad.
“Without dad this wouldn’t be possible,” he said.
“He gave us the knowledge to be able to do what we do. It’s amazing to think that’s now having a big impact on keeping the wildlife safe and all in my dad’s honour,” Glen added.
The self-funded group helps injured or poorly birds and animals, from their mobile critical care unit in Warsop.
The creatures they care for range from swans and birds of prey to hedgehogs and mice.
One owl currently being cared for by the team, a tawny they’ve nicknamed Timothy, could even have a connection to their dad’s work.
The bird, found after a suspected collision with a car, has a ring on his leg of the same type Robert used to use.
“Given the area the owl was found in, it could be one that my dad rung years ago,” Glen said.
They are currently working with the local bird ringing group to work out Timothy’s history, including whether their dad was the one to first register him.
“It would be amazing to find out he was once handled by my dad and now I have him in my care,” Glen said.
“It’s phenomenal to be able to honour my dad’s legacy as well as helping the wildlife, rehabilitating animals and getting them back to where they belong.”
The family legacy is also due to continue with Roberts granddaughters, one of whom is training to be a marine biologist and another hopes to be a vet.
“I know my dad would be over the moon,” Becky said, “it’s sad he’s no longer with us but we’re continuing his journey for him.”
