AN RSPCA Animal Rescue Officer who films and photographs Great Crested Grebes found himself rescuing 1 after the bird was swept over a weir in St Helens.

Benedict Marshall came to the aid of the juvenile grebe last Sunday:- 22 September 2024, after it got into difficulty at Carr Hill Dam. 

The bird is thought to have swum about a mile from the Nineteen Arches Bridge area before going over the steep incline at the weir and getting stuck in a pool at the bottom.

Standing on a bridge overhead, the officer was able to reach into the water using a reach and rescue pole - which extended to about 15 feet (4.5 metres) - to scoop up the bird, who was tired but uninjured.

Benedict Marshall said:- “I live in the county and come to this area quite often to film and photograph these birds but this is the 1st time I’ve rescued 1. This young grebe probably became separated from the groups who nest near the Nineteen Arches Bridge as I’ve never seen 1 this far down the dam before. The bird was trying to fly but was unable to pick up sufficient speed to fly back over the weir and was probably getting tired. It kept swimming out of reach when I initially approached from the bank, so I tried at more of a distance from the bridge and luckily the reach and pole was just long enough for me to scoop it up in the net. After a quick check up I was able to release it back onto the water to rejoin the others further up the dam.” 

RSPCA officers are familiar with rescues like this one. Last summer the charity helped 65 mallard ducks after the birds had become trapped after they were swept over a steep weir on the River Calder. Specially trained water rescue officers used a boat and a net to catch the large group of birds who had got into difficulty at the Calder aqueduct near Catterall.

For advice and information about what to do if you find trapped or injured wildlife please visit the RSPCA’s website. 

To mark the RSPCAs 200th anniversary this year the animal welfare charity wants to inspire 1 million people to join their movement to improve animals' lives. To find out how you can join their million-strong movement for animals visit www.rspca.org.uk/200