A rescue effort is under way to save a sparrowhawk trapped in a warehouse.

Business owners sought help on social media after the bird of prey became stuck in the building off London Road, Teynham, near Sittingbourne, last weekend.

Pleas for assistance led them to Ray Allibone of Swampys Wildlife Rescue based in Sheerness, and he is due to attempt the rescue this afternoon.

Initial reports suggested the bird was a kestrel but Ray said pictures showed it had been misidentified.

"It's not often kestrels do that but with sparrowhawks it's quite common because they're chasing birds all the time," he said.

"I believe it was probably chasing a bird which flew in the warehouse and then flew out. Instead of turning around the sparrowhawk flew upwards.

"They're so manic and fast in their action to capture the bird, it's just their way, so it's thinking 'god, where am I?' then it's flown upwards and it's trapped in the building."

Ray said the sparrowhawk was unlikely to escape through the main doors as they were lower than the ceiling, and it was natural for birds to try to escape by flying upwards.

The fact it could have been trapped since Friday means its probably running low on energy, which Ray hopes will work in favour of the rescue effort.

He added. "It's a big building and the problem is our net handles have a limited length, so it's going to mean going up ladders and keeping the bird on the go to tire it out.

"The fact that this bird hasn't eaten will mean it will hopefully start coming down.

"That will work with us, and hopefully it will allow us to capture it.

"I do have a few tricks up my sleeve and have got a net gun which I ordered from America. It's been useful but it's got its limitations."

"It won't be able to go up high.

"I do have a few tricks up my sleeve and have got a net gun which I ordered from America. It's been useful but it's got its limitations.

"If I could go up as high as I can and fire the net over the bird, with any luck the net will drag the bird down and my assistant will be able to put a larger net over it. It's all ifs and buts at the moment.

"The other alternative is to go there at night. They can't see well in the dark so once you find where the bird is roosting, we can go and throw a net over it because it won't be able to see us coming."

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