Buzzard rescued from M6 released back into wild

The buzzard was stranded on the M6 for more than five hours

A buzzard which temporarily brought a motorway to a standstill has been released back into the wild.

The female bird of prey was spotted by motorists on the M6 in Cheshire at 14:00 GMT on 14 December.

The RSPCA was able to rescue the buzzard after police temporarily halted northbound traffic at about 19:30 GMT.

Animal rescue officer Helen Chapman said it was only the third time in her career that police had shut a motorway to allow her to rescue an animal.

"We're extremely grateful they did and to the Highways Agency for alerting us and providing assistance," she said.

Rehabilitation process

The RSPCA said the buzzard was thought to have been clipped by a vehicle near Knutsford Services and it was found grounded by a wall next to the central reservation.

"The buzzard may have been scavenging on road kill when she was clipped and she was fortunate not to be injured or even killed as she was next to the central reservation for quite a few hours," Ms Chapman said.

"I used a pole and a net to catch her.

"I didn't want to get too close in case I panicked her and she tried to fly over the wall and into traffic on the other side."

The bird has been released after more than five weeks in the care of Wild Wings Birds of Prey, a specialist rescue and conservation centre at Risley in Warrington.

Carole Rose, director of Wild Wings Birds of Prey, said: "We were pleased to be able to help and we'd like to thank everyone who was involved in the rescue and to Helen for bringing the buzzard to us."