Scottish SPCA urge Scots to be baby bird aware this spring and summer

Scots are being urged to be aware of baby birds as summer approaches and to be mindful of fledglings and nestlings.

The Scottish SPCA has launched its #SSPCABabyBirds campaign having received an average of 140 calls a day from concerned members of the public last year.

Calls resulted in up to 100 baby birds a day being taken to their National Wildlife Rescue Centre in Fishcross in the first half of 2018.

Last year the charity cared for over 5,000 fledgling and nestling birds and 2019 looks set to be even busier.

Although some young birds are rescued because they are injured, many fledglings are in good health but are picked up by worried passers-by when they should be left alone.

National Wildlife Centre manager Colin Seddon said: “A fledgling is a fully feathered young bird that is typically found out of the nest learning to fly, which is normal.

“It’s understandable for people to be concerned when they come across a young bird on the ground that appears clumsy and unable to fly. However, this is a vital part of the learning to fly process for fledglings and the parents are very likely to be nearby, watching their young make their first efforts to take to the skies.

“We would ask anyone who has concerns to try to monitor the fledglings from a distance to see if the parents appear within a couple of hours.

“If it does seem a baby bird has been abandoned or orphaned, they should call our animal helpline for advice.

“If a fully feathered young bird is in harm’s way, on a road or somewhere it could be vulnerable to predators then it may be possible to move them to a safer spot in a nearby hedge or tree.”

Colin advised that although finding a fledgling on the ground is normal, finding a nestling on the ground is not.

“An unfeathered or fluffy bird is a nestling, and if found on the ground needs our help immediately.

“Anyone who comes across a nestling on the ground should contain it in a small, ventilated box and call our animal helpline immediately.

“Under no circumstances should anyone who discovers a nest try to touch or move the fledgling or nestlings inside. This is illegal and could cause the parents to abandon them.”

For further advice visit www.scottishspca.org/babybirds or call the Scottish SPCA animal helpline on 03000 999 999.