OAK and Furrows, which is already caring for dozens of wildlife casualties of the heatwave, has stepped in to save at least 30 birds from a rescue centre in Calne which closed suddenly last week.

The ducks, tawny owls, blackbirds, gulls and other birds are now being cared for by staff and volunteers at the base on Blakehill Nature Reserve near Cricklade, and an appeal has been launched to help pay for food and other supplies.

With increased calls to help wildlife suffering because of the hot and dry summer, it brings the total number of animals at the centre to more than 400.

Founder Serena Stevens said, although resources were stretched, at the end of the day the extra animals were not a burden.

“At the moment not only is it the height of summer with all the orphans and babies, we have the most horrendous weather against us.

“The animals and birds are suffering because of a lack of food. There just is not enough to support all the wildlife at the moment, and they are all having babies.”

Last winter the centre found itself looking after 175 hedgehogs over Christmas. One day this week Serena went in to the centre to find four hogs had been brought in the previous day taking the total to 135, some of them tiny babies.

In June it had 883 new casualties brought through the doors.

Serena said the centre received an approach from the manager of the other rescue group asking for help.

Calne rescue centre announced on July 10 that divorce meant it was closing. It then told supporters all the inmates were being transferred to Oak and Furrows. Now the centre near Cricklade is dealing with calls for help with wildlife casualties from people in Calne.

The appeal, which ends tomorrow, has already raised almost £3,000 and the money will be used to buy new equipment and food as well as pay veterinary fees and provide extra staff cover. A wish list of food and other supplies has also been shared on its facebook page.

Oak and Furrows was itself saved from closure six months ago after an intensive fundraising campaign. It had been struggling with the costs of an increase in the number of sick and injured creatures it was looking after. With help from high profile supporters like poet Pam Ayres, Ian Anderson from Jethro Tull and TV presenter Paul Martin, it managed to raise thousands of pounds and secure its future.

To donate to the appeal go to justgiving.com/campaigns/charity/oakandfurrows/calnerescue or visit oandf.co.uk