RSPB issues warning not to help birds found on the ground

The RSPB is reminding the public that most baby birds found on the ground don’t need rescuing, stating that it is infact part of the natural fledging process.

Morwenna Alldis, spokesperson for the RSPB said: “Just before baby birds are ready to tentatively extend a wing, wiggle a tail feather and take flight for the first time, they leave their nest – “fledge” as it’s called.

"Fledglings then spend a couple of days on the ground and around the nest developing their final flight feathers.

"The fledglings will appear fully feathered and hop around your garden in broad daylight – hence why members of the public are convinced they need rescuing.”

However Morweanne added: "Another common fear is that the fledgling has been deserted by its parents. But fledglings are extremely unlikely to be abandoned.

"Removing a fledgling from the wild significantly reduces its chances of long-term survival – so please don’t accidentally kidnap the baby bird, even in a well-meaning way.”

According to the charity there are just a few situations when the public should lend a friendly helping hand:

Immediate Danger: 

If the baby bird is found on a busy road or path, and if it is safe to do so, the RSPB advise it is picked up and moved a short distance to a safer place - this must be within hearing distance of where the fledgling was found.

Similarly, if you discover your cat or dog eyeing up a fledgling the charity recommends  that you keep your domestic pet indoors as much as possible.

Injury: 

If the fledgling is injured or caught by a cat, the quickest way to get it medical help is often taking it to your local vets, most treat wild birds for free but do call ahead first. 

Nestlings: 

If a baby bird is discovered on the ground that is either unfeathered or covered only in its fluffy nestling down, it has likely fallen out of its cosy nest ahead of schedule.

Very occasionally it is possible to put these babies back in their nest, but only if you are 100 per cent sure of the nest it has fallen from.

Barn owl chick: 

White barn owls Peek and Boo at Blair Drummond Safari Park (Andrew Milligan/PA)

If found on the floor, first confirm it is a barn owl not tawny owl (light in colour, dark eyes and eyelids). Note the exact location where you found it.  

It is not normal for young Barn Owls to be out of the nest before they can fly, if left they will likely be ignored by their parents and not survive. Contact a local rescuer, the Barn Owl Trust or the RSPCA to help.

Broken House martin or swallow nests: 

If you find a nest that has fallen with chicks in, you can use a shallow ice cream or margarine tub with some drainage holes in the base, or a low plastic flower pot will work too. Place as much of the old nest inside the container with some hay, and put the chicks inside.

Place the nest as high up as possible, but if you can’t place the new nest under the eaves, you’ll need to put some sort of lid on it to keep the worst of the weather out.

The parents should hear the chicks and continue feeding them, but if they don’t they will need to be cared for by a wildlife rehabilitator.

Occasionally, a parent bird will intentionally eject a chick from the nest if they sense it has an underlying health problem or is dying. It’s a harsh truth to stomach, as humans we want to fix things, but sometimes we need to allow the law of nature to run its course.

Morwenna said: “It’s also really important to remember at this time of year that over half of England’s most threatened breeding birds nest on or near the ground.

"So we’re asking everyone when out exploring nature, to please follow the Countryside Code by keeping to footpaths, adhering to any signs flagging ground nesting birds, and please keep dogs on leads.

"By watching your step this breeding season you can help save the lives of some very vulnerable feathered friends.”

To find out how you can help the nature on your doorstep, visit: rspb.org.uk/natureonyourdoorstep