Wing and a prayer: Kevin the little kestrel is on track to make a speedy recovery

Wing and a prayer: Kevin the little kestrel is on track to make a speedy recovery

By Beth Hale

Last updated at 5:44 PM on 8th July 2010

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A nasty tumble from the nest may have left Kevin the kestrel with a broken leg.

But it was nothing that a bit of surgical ingenuity couldn't put to rights.

With the help of a hypodermic needle for a pin, some slender strands of wire and a bit of dental cement, veterinary staff carefully fixed the tiny bird's fragile limb back into position.

On the mend: Kevin the four-week-old kestrel with his cast, courtesy of nurses at St Tiggywinkles wildlife hospital, in Buckinghamshire

And if the bird of prey continues to make a speedy recovering he should be soaring over the British countryside by autumn.

The youngster - thought to be about four weeks old - was found on woodland floor in St Alban's earlier this week.

With no sign of the nest, the kestrel was taken to St Tiggywinkles wildlife hospital, in Buckinghamshire.

They discovered the bird had a broken leg, but managed to carry out a very delicate 30-minute repair operation.

Now Kevin, as he has been named by staff, is recovering well, with his leg wrapped in padding and covered in a length of purple gauze.

Needle and thread: The handiwork of vets is visible in this X-ray of Kevin, a needle and thin wire holding his tiny leg in place

Hospital founder Les Stocker said: 'Doing the best job possible was very important.

'Kestrels will hover over their prey and then drop, using their legs to grab a mouse or something, so having the use of their legs is absolutely vital.

'They're glorious birds and we didn't want to keep this one in captivity.

'Fortunately this one is a marvellous little bird and started hobbling around almost immediately.

'He's got to grow up first and get his full plumage, but we hope he should be able to back into the wild about September time.'

Kevin was anaesthetised, before a length of hypodermic needle (surgical pins would be too large) was inserted into his leg to hold the broken bone in place using a few strands of thin wire and dental cement.

The bird uses his good leg to hold his twice daily meal - chopped mice - while he tucks in using his strong beak.