Rare birds eggs rescued after charity director’s car breaks down
This lovely story blends positive science and conservation with our wonderful ongoing spirit of the blitz. It tells us:
A CHARITY director whose 4×4 broke down while he was transporting a dozen rare birds’ eggs has thanked the company which came to his rescue.
David Waters, director of the Salisbury Plain-based Great Bustard Group was returning from Spain with the eggs which are part of a conservation project, when he broke down in Folkstone, Kent.
He said: “I had driven up through the middle of Spain with the eggs and my three working dogs and the breakdown occurred as I was coming out of the tunnel.
“The eggs were wrapped up with coats and jackets as of course I couldn’t have the engine running during the crossing. They are okay for a little while but needed incubation once we reached the other side.”
The breakdown, which was caused by an alternator fault, happened at around 7pm on May 21, leaving Mr Waters unable to run the incubator.
“The AA patrols were all very helpful,” he said, “plugging the incubator in to their 12-volt chargers to keep the eggs warm and making sure it was all working. Ten of the eggs went on to hatch a few days later, which is a very good hatch rate. The other two eggs may still hatch, so we’re waiting a bit longer.
“The Great Bustard Group is working hard to buy another second hand vehicle, as the 4×4 is 18-years-old and getting towards the end of its working life.”