Notts: RSPCA issues ‘do not disturb’ message to protect baby birds

Depending on the age of the bird human interference could be causing more harm than good.

Young garden birds, or fledglings, usually leave the nest two weeks after hatching and during this vulnerable period of their lives they are fed on the ground by their parents. Tawny owl fledglings are even able to climb back up to their nests on their own.

No matter how well-meaning, moving or touching fledglings can reduce a young bird’s chances of survival. Handling can cause extreme stress and being fed an inappropriate diet can cause developmental problems. It is important to remember that the parents of the bird will look after it and come back for it.

The RSPCA hoping to prevent thousands of baby birds such as blackbirds, housemartins, blue tits and wood pigeons from being handled unnecessarily.

Inspector Kate Levesley who covers Staffordshire and Warwickshire said: “We are getting around two calls per week from concerned members of the public who have taken in fledglings.

“Many people don’t realise that young birds are fed by their parents on the ground and often that parent will be nearby.

“After moving the bird you may forget where you have taken it from and that could be disastrous for the welfare of the bird.

“We would advise people to look from a distance if you see a young bird that might be injured and don’t automatically rush in.”

Senior scientific officer at the RSPCA Adam Grogan said: “Unless a baby bird is clearly a nestling, or is a fledgling that is injured or in immediate danger it is best to leave them alone.

“Our wildlife centres care for more than a thousand ‘orphaned’ fledglings each year, picked up by well-meaning people. Most of these birds are not orphans and would have had a better life in the wild.

“Our advice would be to leave a fledgling alone and watch from a distance. It’s likely that the parents are still around to take care of the bird. “As well meaning as it is no one should try to return a bird to the nest. You may have the wrong nest, it may disturb the other young birds and may be illegal. If a fledgling is in immediate danger, place it in a sheltered spot a short distance away.”

Top tips to remember:

- Keep an eye on it! - The RSPCA’s advice to anyone concerned about a fledgling is firstly to observe. A bird will usually move of its own accord,

or a parent will return to provide it with food.

- If it’s a fledgling leave it be! - Fledglings are young birds that have grown most of their feathers but have not yet developed the ability to

fly. The parents are usually nearby and will still be feeding the bird.

- Nestlings need help - Nestlings are baby birds that only have a limited number of feathers. They are different from fledglings in that they are

totally dependent on the security of the nest and will not fare at all well if left. Never try to care for young birds yourself - they need

specialist care to survive.

- Leave nests alone - Never return a fledgling to the nest as unsettled siblings could evacuate ahead of time, and this may also disturb the

nest’s camouflage, leaving it exposed. Disturbing a nest may also be breaking the law.

- Don’t touch! - Don’t touch a baby bird unless you are sure it genuinely needs help.

- Birds like warm and quiet - If a bird is genuinely orphaned or clearly sick, it should be put in a dark, warm box with a minimum of handling. If

it’s safe to catch and handle a bird in need of help then, wearing suitable gloves, place it into a secure ventilated cardboard box, lined with

towel or newspaper (do not offer food or water). Keep the bird somewhere warm and quiet and take it to your nearest wildlife rehabilitator as

soon as possible.

For further advice contact the RSPCA’s 24-hour cruelty line on 0300 123 4999