Nearly every garden will have wild birds visiting

at one time or another.  Unfortunately, injuries do occur whether they suffer a broken wing, broken leg,

cat attack, accidentally flying into a window or a road traffic accident.

 

Small birds that have been injured need to be placed in a well ventilated box lined with newspaper

or an old towel and taken to your nearest Vet (free of charge)   or wildlife rescue centre.  The RSPCA

may be able to help if they have someone in the area.

 

If you find a bird has flown into your window, it may be just stunned, unless you can seen any obvious

injuries such as a broken wing or broken beak or if you see any blood.  For birds that appear only

stunned, place in a well ventilated box lined with newspaper or an old towel and leave it in a quiet,

dark place for an hour or two before attempting to release it.

 

Nestlings and fledgelings.  If you find a nestling (a chick with no feathers and possibly with eyes closed)

on the ground, you should either return it to its nest, or, if you cannot locate the nest, put in a box lined

with soft tissue paper and keep warm until you can get it to your local Vet or wildlife centre. 

 

When you find a fledgling, LEAVE IT ALONE.  Its parents will be nearby and will continue to feed it so long

as you keep away from it.  Young birds frequently leave the nest before they are able to fly properly and may

be seen hopping around on the ground amongst the shrubbery.  They are indeed vulnerable at this stage,

but the parents do a much better job at feeding them that humans.  Do not cause the bird undue stress by

interfering.  

 

If the fledgling is sick or injured then it will need help.  Put the bird in a well ventilated box and

keep warm until you can get it to your local Vet or wildlife centre. The RSPCA may be able to help if they

have someone in the area.

 

 

      Water birds, such as gulls, cormorants, herons, bitterns, grebes and other

sea birds, all need morecareful handling as they may all try to "stab" or peck, especially around your face. 

Always hold the birdwith its head away from you and it is advisable to either wear gloves or wrap the bird

in a towel whenhandling it.  You may find a sea bird "grounded" on the beach as a result of rough seas or

sickness.If you are able to contain the bird, take it to the nearest Vet (free of charge) or wildlife rescue 

centre.  The RSPCA may be able to help. 

 

      Swans and Geese are very strong birds.  A swan is capable of delivering

a painful blow from a single flap of its powerful wings but do little "damage" with their beaks. 

Swans sometimes crash land especially when it mistakes wet tarmac for water causing 

injuries to their feet, legs and keel.  When you see this happen you should call your local

wildlife or swan rescue centre or the RSPCA.

If you find a swan has wandered away from the water and on to a road and is not injured, it is possible to

herd the swan back to the water by quietly walking behind it.  Do not try to rush the bird as they have a

very cumbersome walk and may show a little objection by hissing.

 

You will often find a swan on the water resting a leg on its back.  It may look at a funny angle, but don't panic,

it is not broken.

 

      Birds of Prey such as owls, buzzards, kestrels and sparrowhawks can look quite scary to

some people.  Owls also make a strange "clicking" noise when handled.  This is normal and it is just to try and

frighten you off.  Handling birds of prey is not difficult as long as you make sure you hold the legs securely above

the feet to stop them using their talons (claws).  They do not usually try to peck you with their beak, as gulls and

crows do, but obviously their beaks are very sharp and you should avoid putting your fingers too close.

 

                                                                                                                                          

During Springtime, you may come across a young owlet at the foot of a tree in the woodland.  Young Tawny Owls

usually leave the nest long before they are ready to fly, and there is no point in placing these owlets back in the

nest.  These owlets go through a phase called "branching" when they walk, climb, jump and flutter around the

trees at night.  The adults locate them by their calls and will feed them anywhere.  It is not uncommon for owlets

to spend time on the ground during this phase and they are surprisingly good at climbing back up again.  So if it

is not injured, leave it alone, or if you have moved it, return it to the same spot as you found it. 

 

If you find a sick or injured bird of prey, if you are able to get close enough to throw a towel over it and put it in

a well ventilated box, take it to your local Vet (free of charge), nearest wildlife rescue centre, Owl Sanctuary or

call the RSPCA.