Bird warning as life returns to normal

Sunday 24 May 2020

As island life picks up a pace as we move through the lockdown exit process, nesting birds who had taken advantage of the quieter times are found to be at risk from gardeners, builders and other aspects of 'normal life'.

The GSPCA has seen an increase in the number of nesting and fledging birds needing care, but the charity is warning they should only be moved if absolutely necessary.

In recent days, the charity said it has had reports of concerns that gardeners and builders are disturbing nesting sites of birds and possible other species, as they try to resume work, which is in conflict with the Guernsey Animal Welfare Ordinance 2012 meaning any reports are looked into by the GSPCA Animal Welfare team and concerns are passed on to the authorities.

The GSPCA said as a baby bird has a greater chance of survival in the wild than it has being hand-reared by man, as they learn to fend for themselves and how to forage for food by their parents, it is best to leave them where possible.

GSPCA Manager Steve Byrne therefore said: "Please remember to only move them, or encourage them to move, a short distance to safety if they are in immediate danger.

Pictured: The GSPCA is hand rearing a number of baby birds who have recently been taken to the animal shelter needing care.

"If you have picked up a fledgling, put it back as near as possible to the place you found it. Don't try to return a fledgling to its nest as you may disturb other young birds.

"If you are concerned about its safety, try to put it nearby on a ledge, or somewhere it will be out of the reach of cats.   You may want to use an ice cream container with kitchen towel in and place it in a tree or ledge.

"Monitor the situation from a place where you will not been seen or heard as otherwise you may continue to discourage the return of the parents.  Do this for at least two hours. You will almost certainly find that the parents have taken care of their youngster within this time.

"If, after monitoring, you think a fledgling is genuinely orphaned or sick please call the GSPCA on 01481 257261 and choose the emergency option so we can discuss options of either sending an ambulance out or how you can visit the Animal Shelter safely with our coronavirus precautions."

Other birds have been disturbed through homeowners cutting back their hedges while they've been in lockdown, but that shouldn't happen until mid-June which is still some weeks away.

The GSPCA does have facilities to help with injured birds though - including hospital cages and intensive care units, with dozens of birds already being cared for.

Pictured: Baby birds should be left alone where possible, but the animal shelter can care for them when necessary.

Grace Hodgkinson, Deputy States Vet, said: “If you are gardening or undertaking some building work and come across nesting birds, please stop the activity immediately. It is advised that you monitor the nest until the birds have fledged. Once they have fledged, it is safe to continue to work. If in doubt, stop the activity completely until August, when hopefully all breeding birds and their offspring should have fledged their nests.”

Beckie Bailey, GSPCA Animal Care Assistant, said “It has been so busy in our hospital department with baby birds being rescued sick and inured.”

“From a kestrel chick to the many great tits, magpie chicks and the black bird chicks we have around 20 or more baby birds in our care on any day.”

“Many are from cat attacks and it is difficult to know where their parents are but for those you see out and about if fledged the best thing you can do is put them up high, keep an eye on them and follow the GSPCA advice.”

“Baby birds are much better off being raised by their parents as they can teach them to look for the food and skills they will need to survive.”

Pictured top: One of the bird's currently in the GSPCA's care.