Mountain rescuers were lowered down the Smardale Gill Viaduct to help a raven in trouble.
Kirkby Stephen Mountain Rescue Team were called by Cumbria Wildlife Trust on Friday to help free the fledgling raven which was trapped in its nest under the iconic structure.
A spokesman for the team said: “The unfortunate bird’s parents had used a large quantity of bailing twine in the nest, and it had become entangled.
“After ensuring all the necessary permissions had been sought, a team member was lowered down to free the bird.
“The location was quite difficult to reach as it was under the main viaduct bed, so some careful manoeuvring and ropework was required to gain safe access.
“The raven seemed uninjured but a little weak after its ordeal. Hopefully it will now be able to leave the nest and enjoy the beautiful Smardale Nature Reserve.”
Yesterday, the team was called to release a sheep which had got stuck in a steep ravine.
The team was joined by volunteers from Kendal Mountain Rescue Team. Three members descended and helped make the sheep safe.
A post on Facebook said “She was brought carefully to the top and ran off quite happily.”
