Gull chicks gullore at the GSPCA – what to do if you find a baby bird

Submitted by Steve on 14:06, 12th Jul, 2024 | 0

At the GSPCA we are extremely busy with the daily arrival of baby birds needing hand rearing that have been found or rescued, but for us we currently have more gull chicks at the same time than any of the team can recall.

Currently at the GSPCA we have 5 very young gull chicks that are being hand reared which have been displaced from their parents, but we would always recommend that chicks are left where possibly with their parents and finding a safe place near the nest if they are fledging.

Baby birds are always where possible best left in the wild to be raised by their parents.

Donate to their care https://giving.gg/donate/charity/2/Guernsey-Society-for-the-Prevention-of-Cruelty-to-Animals-(GSPCA)
Please support the new Wildlife Hospital to replace the current building https://www.gspca.org.gg/blog/gspca-biggest-build-appeal

Yvonne Chauvel GSPCA Animal Care Supervisor said “This time of year we see so many baby birds.”

“We’ve had so many in recent weeks but we are currently extremely busy hand rearing young gull chicks. ”

“In fact 5 of those chicks and some a little older are called Andrew, Cami, Colin, Dumpling, Holly, Jonty and Steven.”

Steve Byrne GSPCA Manager said “A baby bird has a greater chance of survival in the wild than being hand-reared as they learn how to forage for food and fend for themselves from their parents.”

“From hatching, most birds take on average 2 weeks or more to learn how to fly, although well over twice that for gulls.”

“We have seen a real increase in calls on gull chicks this year both needing our help and also for advice on what to do.”

“It is herring gulls that we are helping and many are from nests in St Peter Port and Steven from Sark.”

“A gull can easily live for over 20 years and don’t come of age to breed until 4 or more years.”

“We know there has been great monitoring of our gulls in Guernsey over the years and we know that many through the GSPCA have gone to the South of Spain in the Winter and one going as far as Africa.”

“If you see a rung gull you can report your sighting by going to https://birdrings.digimap.gg/ .”

“If a gull chick is displaced from the nest and can be returned to the nest or be put in a safe place and monitored to see if their parents are caring for them if they have feathers then they will have the ideal upbringing.”

“If you are unsure please do give us a call on 257261 and we have web pages full of advice.”

“To make a donation to help the animals in our care please go to https://giving.gg/donate/charity/2/Guernsey-Society-for-the-Prevention-of-Cruelty-to-Animals-(GSPCA) .”

“You can also donate by calling 01481 257261, by post to GSPCA, Rue des Truchots, St Andrews, Guernsey GY6 8UD or popping up to the Shelter in St Andrews.”

“To make a donation or support our BIGGEST BUILD Appeal please check out https://www.gspca.org.gg/blog/biggest-appeal-ever-gspca-big-build-appeal-buy-brick-build-brighter-future-animals-guernsey .”

“If you can help with any of our wish list items like the commercial washer or intensive care units please do give us a call or email me on [email protected] .”

The GSPCA would like to remind that as a general rule, it is best to leave baby birds alone.

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.

Around 2 weeks after hatching young birds or more for gulls and larger birds in your Bailiwick garden usually leave the nest, just before they learn how to fly.

It is about this time that you find a young bird out of its nest, as it is probably a fledgling. Fledglings are almost fully feathered, able to walk, run and hop on to low branches, and will try to hide in undergrowth where they are fed by their parents. Parent birds are not usually far away and are probably collecting food but will not return until you have gone. Within a day of leaving the nest, fledglings can usually fly enough to keep up with their parents and escape predators.

Please remember to only move them, or encourage them to move, a short distance to safety if they are in immediate danger.

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 or bring it to the Animal Shelter where we have hospital cages set up ready for them. Please do not try and care for these birds yourself. If you need further help and advice, again please call us on 01481 257261.

We have already had a number of baby birds including finches, pigeons and ducklings this year.

Nestlings are baby birds that only have a small 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. If a nestling is found, contain it as soon as possible in a warm, dark, well-ventilated cardboard box (do not offer water, milk or food as this could make them ill or if done incorrectly worse). If the bird is sick, take it to your nearest veterinary surgeon or to the Animal Shelter or call 01481 257261. Never try to return nestlings to their nests as this may disturb the other babies. Never try to rear nestlings yourself, as they need specialist care if they are to survive and the staff at the GSPCA have years of experience and training.

Steve Byrne GSPCA Manager continued "It is a worry when baby birds are seen with no parents in view, but this simple advice can mean they can have the best start in life."

"We are very lucky to have intensive care units at the Shelter to help raise these very fragile young, but it is never easy with the number of feeds and the fact that many arrive injured or very cold."

“Due to the numbers of baby birds our intensive care units are starting to fill and we are looking at building a new Wildlife Hospital for all wildlife.”

"We are always at the end of a phone for advice and there are plenty of details on our website and please remember we operate 24 7 with someone on site and out in an ambulance."

“We have over 3000 injured and sick wild birds through the doors last year at the GSPCA.”

“As mentioned there are many ways to donate to the wildlife and baby birds in our care such as donating by visiting https://giving.gg/donate/charity/2/Guernsey-Society-for-the-Prevention-of-Cruelty-to-Animals-(GSPCA) or supporting the new Wildlife Hospital.”

“Please remember handling any animal either domestic, wild, dead or alive may be potentially hazardous. Obvious dangers include bites, scratches and general hygiene issues.”

“The GSPCA advise common sense should be applied in all instances and if unsure please call 01481 257261.”

“Personal hygiene should be taken into consideration after handling any animal whether it is domestic, wild, dead or alive.”

“For helpful information to help sick and injured wildlife we have a 24/7 helpline on 01481 257261 or check out this link – http://www.gspca.org.gg/animals/wildlife-advice “

“There are many ways to support our work with lots of ideas on our website www.gspca.org.gg .”

“For those from those want to give CSR time and skills to those wanting to help sponsor or support something from our Wish List http://www.gspca.org.gg/about/our-plans-wish-list .”

“If your group or business would like to find out about spending a day at the Shelter please go to -

http://www.gspca.org.gg/about/corporate-and-group-days “

“For other ways your business can help us here at the GSPCA please go to -

http://www.gspca.org.gg/about/how-your-business-can-help-gspca-corporate-sponsorship “

“If you would like to volunteer then to find out more details here -

http://www.gspca.org.gg/about/volunteers or to complete the volunteer application form please check out https://service.sheltermanager.com/asmservice?account=gspca&method=online_form_html&formid=14 .”

"We also have vacancies at the GSPCA and to find out more please visit https://www.gspca.org.gg/about/vacancies ."

“There are always lots of other ways to support us from donating online to creating your own fundraising event and you can do this by this link https://giving.gg/donate/charity/2/Guernsey-Society-for-the-Prevention-of-Cruelty-to-Animals-(GSPCA) or for lots of fund raising ideas please visit http://www.gspca.org.gg/fundraising .”

“Sunday 14^th July we are at the Motor Seafront Sunday and if you would like to help or can pop along we’d love to see you.”

“We also have loads of ways to support us and to donate in this link https://www.gspca.org.gg/page/gspca-celebrating-150-years .”

“To see a list of the many events we are at this Summer check out those below or on any of our latest blogs https://www.gspca.org.gg/blog “

“We couldn’t do so much without your support.”

Some herring gull facts

For information on Guernsey Gulls or to report a sighting of a ringed bird please visit https://birdrings.digimap.gg/
The Herring Gull has extended its breeding range southward along the Atlantic Coast, and may be displacing the more southern Laughing Gull from some areas. At the northern end of its range, however, the Herring Gull is itself being displaced by increasing numbers of the Great Black-backed Gull.
Breeding brings special dietary challenges for Herring Gulls. During courtship, males feed their mates, losing fat reserves in the process. Then egg-laying reduces the females’ protein and bone calcium, and they seek out marine invertebrates and fish to replenish stores. After chicks hatch, both parents feed them day and night for up to 12 weeks, splitting foraging shifts to offer each chick up to half a pound of food per day as it nears fledging.
Sibling rivalry is a problem in the bird world, too. The third chick in a Herring Gull clutch can have it especially tough. While the first two chicks hatch the same day, the third is born a day or two later, weighs less, gets less food, and grows more slowly.
Incubating Herring Gulls often pant to cool off. They orient their bodies to keep darker plumage out of direct sun as best they can, but short of dipping their feet and legs into water, their mouth lining is their best means of shedding heat.
An adult Herring Gull was spotted bait-fishing. It floated bits of bread on the surface of a Paris pond and attacked goldfish feeding on the bread. It ate none of the bread itself, indicating deliberate tool use.
Herring Gulls are one of the most familiar gulls of the East Coast and many people just call them “seagulls.” In fact, some two dozen different species of gulls live in North America, and they present almost endless opportunities for identification.
Herring Gulls prefer drinking freshwater, but they'll drink seawater when they must. Special glands located over the eyes allow them to excrete the salt that would otherwise dehydrate most animals, including us. The salty excretion can be seen dripping out of their nostrils and off the ends of their bills.
Young Herring Gulls appear to be more migratory than adults. In some areas, such as the Great Lakes, most adults remain near their breeding grounds, but the nonbreeders move father south in the fall.
The oldest recorded Herring Gull was at least 29 years, 3 months old when it was seen in the wild in Michigan in 2015 and identified by its band. It was originally banded in Wisconsin in 1986.

Donate

Donate by calling 01481 257261, by post to GSPCA, Rue des Truchots, St Andrews, Guernsey GY6 8UD or online https://giving.gg/donate/charity/2/Guernsey-Society-for-the-Prevention-of-Cruelty-to-Animals-(GSPCA)

BIGGEST BUILD APPEAL

The GSPCA have the BIGGEST BUILD APPEAL in our 150 year history and to find out more please visit https://www.gspca.org.gg/blog/gspca-biggest-build-appeal

GSPCA Celebrates 150 years in 2023 and 151 years in 2024

This year the GSPCA celebrate 150 into 151 years and to find out more please check out https://www.gspca.org.gg/page/gspca-celebrating-150-years

Sponsored Event

Why not create your own sponsored event or challenge - https://giving.gg/donate/charity/2/Guernsey-Society-for-the-Prevention-of-Cruelty-to-Animals-(GSPCA)

For lots more ideas why not visit our fundraising page www.gspca.org.gg/fundraising

Wish List

Check out our wish list page from the smallest of items to our biggest of projects there are many ways to support us - http://www.gspca.org.gg/about/our-plans-wish-list

To visit our Amazon Wish list to see some of the items we need to help the wildlife please visit - https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/25MJPPDAGXHL1?type=WishList

GSPCA Wildlife Hospital Appeal

To make a direct donation please visit - https://giving.gg/donate/event/4618/Please-Support-the-GSPCA-Wildlife-Hospital-Appeal

To Buy a Brick in the new Wildlife Hospital and download a leaflet please click here - http://www.gspca.org.gg/sites/default/files/Buy%20a%20Brick%20Wildlife%20Hospital.pdf

Larger donors or corporates may want to make a larger donation and become an Exclusive Build Partner and to find out more please visit - http://www.gspca.org.gg/page/gspca-exclusive-build-partner

Legacies & Bequests

By leaving a gift to the GSPCA in your Will really helps us to improve the lives of animals into the future. After providing for those you care for, please consider leaving a proportion of what remains to the GSPCA it is so appreciated and makes a real lasting legacy.

A gift like this to the GSPCA ensures our animals and those in Guernsey will always have someone to keep them safe. To find out more please http://www.gspca.org.gg/about/gifts-wills-and-funding

Gift Aid on Donations over £500

To find out about the States of Guernsey tax relief information on gift aid up to 2020 on donations totalling between £500 and £5000 please see the details by going to https://www.gov.gg/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=2617&p=0

2021 gift aid is from £500 and up to £7500 and here are the details - https://www.gov.gg/article/151830/Income-tax-relief

To download the form to claim for 2020 or before please follow this link https://www.gov.gg/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=1994&p=0

Become a sponsor and GSPCA member

Why become an Angel Pen Pal Sponsor and support our work each month please visit - http://www.gspca.org.gg/sites/default/files/Angel%20sponsor%20form%20special%202018%20new.pdf

To become a Corporate Angel Pen Pal form for your business to sponsor animals in our care each year please click here http://www.gspca.org.gg/sites/default/files/Corporate%20Angel%20Pen%20Pal%20sponsor%20formnew.pdf

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Below are our usual opening times but these are occasionally adjusted to ensure we provide the best of care for the animals and those needing our 24/7 help, in an emergency please call 01481 257261

	Reception & Shop area	Collecting/Dropping Off Boarding Dogs & Cats	Viewing animals for adoption	Emergencies Call 257261 or the Shelter is manned 24/7	GSPCA Charity Shop in Smith Street
Monday’s	9am – 5pm	11am – 4pm	11am – 4pm	24/7	8am - 530pm
Tuesday’s	9am – 5pm	11am – 4pm	11am – 4pm	24/7	8am - 530pm
Wednesday’s	9am – 5pm	11am – 4pm	11am – 4pm	24/7	8am - 530pm
Thursday’s	9am – 5pm	11am – 4pm	11am – 4pm	24/7	8am - 530pm
Friday’s	9am – 5pm	11am – 4pm	11am – 4pm	24/7	8am - 530pm
Saturday’s	9am – 5pm	11am – 4pm	11am – 4pm	24/7	8am - 530pm
Sunday’s	11am – 4pm	11am – 4pm	11am – 4pm	24/7	Closed
Bank Holiday’s (Varied times)	Possibly 11am – 4pm	Possibly 11am – 4pm	Possibly 11am – 4pm	24/7	Closed unless advertised