Manx Wild Bird Aid were called out to aid a bird in unusual circumstances.

A spokesman for the charity said: ’When we received a call about a bird unable to fly on Port Grenaugh beach, we had a big surprise when we got there and found that it was a young peregrine falcon who was caked in cooking oil from head to toe.

’We have no idea how she ended up like this, but she’s looking much better after being washed and once we get all of the oil out of her feathers she will be released.

’Washing a very angry and uncooperative female peregrine is no easy feat, but it has to be done.’

Manx Wild Bird Aid has appealed for anyone with information about how the peregrine falcon became oiled to contact the Department of the Environment, Food and Agriculture.

The charity has also appealed for people to reconsider installing ’lollipop type’ fencing in their gardens, stating that while it ’may look nice, and it’s certainly very popular right now, but it’s not always so great if you’re a bird.’

They were called out last week to the urgent assistance of a rook that was caught in fencing near Noble’s Hospital.

The attached photograph looks straight out of a horror film, showing the black bird surrounded by a circle of blood stains.

The charity said: ’Imagining the worst, our volunteer abandoned her shopping and had safely extricated the bird within 30 minutes of the call first coming in.

’Despite the amount of blood lost in his struggle to escape, the rook’s injuries weren’t as bad as we first feared.

’In fact he recovered so well that he was released earlier today.’

They went on to discuss the style of fencing involved in the incident, saying: ’Sadly this is not the first time birds have been injured in this type of fencing.

’Previous incidents include a jackdaw, several gulls and a heron we didn’t get to in time and sadly died. If you weren’t aware of the potential issues until now panic not - there’s a quick adjustment that will make lollipop fencing safer for the birds in your garden.

’A strip of wood screwed along the top of the fence will stop birds getting their necks stuck in the gaps.

’It’s as easy as that and we, along with the birds, will thank you for it.’

The falcon has since been released.