What to do if you have found a baby bird

What can I do if I find a baby bird?
It’s “orphan season” for wildlife from the end of March and usually at this time of year we receive many phone calls about what people should do if they find baby birds, foxes and squirrels, etc.

During the spring or “orphan season,” baby animals are born and face dangers from animal predators, and from man-made predators (such as cars, roads, litter on the streets, etc.).

When we see a baby animal who appears orphaned or on its own, the caring instinct in us tempts us to jump in and “rescue” it, but actually, the best thing we can do for it is to leave it alone.

What to do if you have found a baby bird

Baby birds are often seen on their own on the ground. It can seem as if they’ve fallen out of their nests… but this is actually very normal. They are doing exactly what nature intended, and have left the nest deliberately a short while before they are able to fly. The parents are usually nearby. Taking it away from its location reduces their chance of survival.

Try and get them to go inside a small cardboard box and put it up on a wall or a fence – Mum will come back for them and continue to feed them.

What to do if you have found a baby squirrel

If it looks like a young squirrel has fallen out of a tree, leave it alone, and make sure there are no cats nearby. Mum will come and collect them – give her a good hour to do so before intervening. Even if the nest has been destroyed she will have a backup one!

What to do if you have found a baby fox

It’s tempting to want to cuddle and stroke a fox cub. They are very cute! But if you touch them, their mother will reject them. It’s best to leave them alone. Mum is most likely away getting breakfast or dinner, but she’ll be back soon.

If you’ve found an orphaned animal however, please contact Wildlife Aid Foundation in Leatherhead. Their contact information is:

The Wildlife Aid Foundation, Randalls Farmhouse, Randalls Road, Leatherhead, KT22 0AL

Tel 01372 377332

We will be displaying posters and leaflets in our reception to make people aware of the orphan season.