With Spring in full swing Baby Bird Advice from the GSPCA as poorly fledging’s rescued and some need help but best left safe

At the GSPCA we are extremely busy with the daily arrival of Spring baby birds needing hand rearing that have been found or rescued.

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 “With the lovely weather and start of Spring we are fast filling with baby birds.”

“We’ve had a lot of ducking, baby doves, finches and a variety of others.”

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.”

“If they 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 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 2500 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 “

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/biggest-appeal-ever-gspca-big-build-appeal-buy-brick-build-brighter-future-animals-guernsey

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  

Share our posts and follow us on social media

Many of you will have seen us on social media and your support liking and sharing our posts is really appreciated, and to visit our social media pages please go to

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/GuernseySPCA

Twitter https://twitter.com/GSPCA

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/gspca-guernsey-965b0751/

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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

Upcoming Events we are at and need your help -

Thursday 9^th May 2024 – Stall at the Last Post Liberation Day event

GSPCA Animal Welfare Seafront Sunday 19^th May 2024 https://www.gspca.org.gg/page/animal-welfare-sea-front-sunday

Saturday 25th & Sunday 26^th May 2024 Guernsey Together Festival – to be confirmed

GSPCA May/June Half Term Tour Saturday 25th May 2024 130pm - 3pm To book please go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/gspca-may-june-guided-tours-tickets-627151335527?aff=oddtdtcreator 

GSPCA May/June Half Term Guided Tour Sunday 26th March 2024 130pm - 3pm To book please go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/gspca-may-june-guided-tours-tickets-627151335527?aff=oddtdtcreator

GSPCA May/June Half Term Guided Tour Monday 27th May 2024 130pm - 3pm To book please go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/gspca-may-june-guided-tours-tickets-627151335527?aff=oddtdtcreator

Tuesday 28th May 2024 – No tour due to Private Birthday Party Booking

GSPCA May/June Half Term Guided Tour Wednesday 29th May 2024 130pm - 3pm To book please go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/gspca-may-june-guided-tours-tickets-627151335527?aff=oddtdtcreator

Thursday 30th May 2024 – No tour

GSPCA May/June Half Term Guided Tour Friday 31st May 2024 130pm - 3pm To book please go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/gspca-may-june-guided-tours-tickets-627151335527?aff=oddtdtcreator

GSPCA May/June Half Term Guided Tour Saturday 1st June 2024 130pm - 3pm To book please go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/gspca-may-june-guided-tours-tickets-627151335527?aff=oddtdtcreator

GSPCA May/June Half Term Guided Tour Sunday 2nd June 2024 130pm - 3pm To book please go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/gspca-may-june-guided-tours-tickets-627151335527?aff=oddtdtcreator

Sunday 9^th June 2024 – Arts Seafront Sunday https://arts.gg/events/arts-sunday-2024/

Wednesday 12th June 2024 630pm Volunteer Induction Evening https://www.gspca.org.gg/about/volunteers

Sunday 16th June 2024 - Guernsey Classic Vehicle Show at Saumarez Park

Sunday 16th June 2024 - EDABL Seafront Sunday - https://www.edablgsy.org/

Sunday 14^th July 2024 – Motor Seafront Sunday - https://www.facebook.com/guernseymotorfestival

Saturday 20^th and Sunday 21^st July 2024 – Torteval Scarecrow Festival

Tuesday 23rd July 2024 630pm Volunteer Induction Evening https://www.gspca.org.gg/about/volunteers

Summer Tours – to be confirmed

Sunday 28^th July 2024 - EDABL Seafront Sunday - https://www.edablgsy.org/

Saturday 10^th August 2024 – South Show - https://www.facebook.com/p/The-South-Show-Guernsey-100063716101224/

Wednesday 14^th and Thursday 15^th August 2024 – West Show - https://thewestshow.com/

Wednesday 21^st and Thursday 22^nd August 2024 – North Show - https://northshow.org.gg/

Sunday 25th August 2024 - EDABL Seafront Sunday - https://www.edablgsy.org/

Tuesday 10th September 2024 630pm Volunteer Induction Evening https://www.gspca.org.gg/about/volunteers

Wednesday 2nd to Sunday 6^th October 2024 - Skipton Swimarathon - https://www.swimarathon.org/

October Half Term Tours – to be confirmed

Tuesday 5th November 2024 630pm Volunteer Induction Evening https://www.gspca.org.gg/about/volunteers

Dog First Aid 6.30pm - 8.45pm Tuesday 12th November 2024 - Ref - Dog 12/11 https://www.gspca.org.gg/services/training-courses

Cat First Aid 6.30pm - 8.45pm Tuesday 19th November 2024 - Ref - Cat 19/11 https://www.gspca.org.gg/services/training-courses

Christmas Tours – to be confirmed

February 2025 Tours – to be confirmed

Easter 2025 Tours – to be confirmed

2025 – Dolphin Parade

Many more events will be added and dates to be confirmed and if you have any events or ideas to please get in touch…………..