By Susan Kula, RSPB NI
The Covid-19 crisis has interrupted much of our infrastructure and our normal ways of life; but despite all the chaos unfolding in the human world due to this awful virus, it is still “business as usual” for birds. At RSPB NI, our phone lines are normally a flurry at this time of the year, with all manner of enquiries about bird breeding season. However, as a result of the current pandemic, we – like other organisations – have been forced to close our office (and indeed our reserves) and we are working from home. You can get in touch with us by emailing rspb.nireland@rspb.org.uk or the RSPB HQ wildlife enquiries team via wildlife@rspb.org.uk. But before doing so, have a read of these FAQs below, to see if you can find the answer to your question.(Note that most of the below advice is universal, but much of the contact info and wildlife crime guidance and references are specific to Northern Ireland).
Q - There are birds nesting in/on my house – what should I do? A - It is an offence to disturb, remove or destroy a nest that is in use. It is quite common for birds to nest in/on houses at this time of year. If they are entering the eaves, then they are most likely starlings or house sparrows (from late April to May, possibly even swifts, as this is when they migrate from Africa to Europe). Unless you believe the birds to be trapped, you should leave well alone, and let them come and go as they build their nest and subsequently incubate eggs and raise their young. They will not be staying year-round; they will just be there for up to a few months (depending on the species and the weather, they can have between one and three broods) and then they will leave again. In the spring months up until the end of May, house martins will begin migrating to Europe from Africa; unlike those mentioned above, this species builds mud nests on the outside of houses (normally at the roof’s apex). Similarly, the migratory swallows build mud nests in places such as outhouses/garages – anywhere suitably sheltered with a beam or similar to support it from the underside.All birds’ nests are protected by law and it is an illegal offence to destroy or disturb a nest. Active nests are protected under the Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order. A nest is deemed active from the moment a bird starts to build it until it has finished using the nest. So it is illegal to take damage or destroy an active nest and/or its contents, regardless of the time of the year or the location of the nest.
Q – A nest with eggs/chicks has fallen – what should I do? A – If there are viable eggs or living young in the nest, you can follow the guidance here for house martins and here for swallows. For a nest that has fallen from a tree, you can try to secure the nest on a low branch or secure a container to the trunk (e.g. using a nail) and place the nest inside it. In most cases, parent birds will return to fallen nests, provided this guidance is followed. It is a myth that birds can smell if a human has interfered with a nest and will abandon it.
Q - There is a young bird in my garden and it can’t fly – how do I help? A – In most cases you do not need to take any action at all. Fledglings will often leave the nest a little early and spend a few days on the ground. This is a normal part of their development, and during this time they will finish growing the last of their adult feathers, get to grips with how to use their wings, and be fed and looked after by parents who are rarely far away. If you are concerned about predators, you can tuck the young bird under a nearby shrub or hedge, but do not move it far from the place where you found it – otherwise the parents may not be able to find it to care for it. However, if the chick you have found is bald or covered in downy fluff, it is too early for it to be out of the nest. If possible and safe to do so, you can try and return it to the nest. If this is not an option, contact independent wildlife rehabilitator Debbie Doolittle's Wild Life.
Q – I have found a bird and I think it has been attacked by a cat A – Even if the bird looks relatively uninjured, cat saliva is poisonous to birds - so unless the victim receives a shot of antibiotics, he/she will most likely die within a couple of days. It is best if you get in touch with Debbie Doolittle’s Wildlife. If you have a cat, make sure it wears a bell on its collar to alert birds of its presence. And if you think there is a vulnerable bird nearby, please keep your cat indoors (or if it is your neighbour’s cat, encourage them to do so).
Q – My neighbour is cutting their hedge – isn’t this illegal? A – The Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985 protects all wild birds, their (active) nests, eggs and dependent young. We advise against cutting hedges or trees from the start of March until the end of August, as doing so runs the risk of disturbing or destroying nests, which is a criminal offence. If you believe an active nest is being destroyed or disturbed, you can call the PSNI on 101 or report it anonymously through the Crimestoppers website (www.crimestoppers-uk.org/) or by phone on 0800 555 111.
Q – A bird has come down my chimney and is trapped – how can I get it out? A – In these situations it’s usually impossible for the bird to get back up the chimney – the only way to get it out is from the fireplace end. If it’s easy and safe to open it up, then simply leave a window in the room open, turn off the lights, leave the room and close the doors into the rest of the house. If there is light outside, the bird will instinctively go to the light and out the window. If, however, the base of the chimney is bricked or boarded up, or you have a gas or electric fire installed, you may need a professional to open it up to allow the bird out. Chimneys should be fitted with a cowl or bird guard, which will prevent future occurrences.
Q – I’ve found a grounded swift, what should I do? A – Because swifts are adapted to aerial existence, they can become trapped and unable to take off if grounded. If you find a grounded swift, check that there are no obvious injuries. A) If the bird is injured, gently pick it up and place in a suitable box on some warm fabric. Contact an independent wildlife rehabilitator such as Debbie Doolittle's Wild Life or a vet. B) If the bird appears healthy, you can try to give it a helping hand to get airborne. Swifts need a column of air to launch into take-off. Place a grounded swift on the palm of your hand and raise the hand as high as possible. Gently raise and lower your arm, thus allowing the bird to feel the air under its wings. This is likely to be enough for a healthy adult bird. If the bird does not attempt to fly, it may be too weak and it is likely it will require expert help. Carefully place the swift in a suitable box on some warm fabric and contact a wildlife rehabilitator such as Debbie Doolittle.
Q - How do I stop a bird from pecking at my windows?A - Generally, the most common reason birds will intentionally and repeatedly attack a window is that they believe their reflection is another bird intruding upon their territory. This is most common during breeding season but can occur at all times of the year. The best way to stop this behaviour is to obscure the reflection by covering the outside of the window with material of some kind, until the behaviour ceases. If you are concerned about the lack of light in your room, you could choose a translucent/fine material that will allow some light through without creating a reflection.
Q - How do I deter cats from my garden?A - Ultrasonic cat deterrents are available in garden centres, our own RSPB shops and online. The one that we have tested for effectiveness is Catwatch, which is available to purchase online here. There are also other brands online, but we have not been able to test them and therefore cannot assure their quality. Some people also find that the smell of citrus deters cats. Orange peels placed in your plant pots, or similar discreet area, may also help discourage cats from visiting.
Q - Why aren’t the birds visiting my garden anymore? A - There can be a number of reasons why you may be experiencing a lack of birds in the garden, such as changes in local habitat, crop cycles or seasonal food availability. Most birds will prefer natural food sources (such as berries, grains, insects and fruit) and will therefore forage for these before resorting to the supplementary food we provide, which could mean that you see less of them in your gardens if there is an abundance of naturally occurring food sources. So long as you have not been finding large numbers of dead birds, there shouldn’t be anything to worry about, and they will likely return when natural resources are less abundant.
Q - I’ve seen a bird which has unusual feather colouration for its speciesA - Moulting patterns and plumage variations are not always shown in identification books, in some species there can be different plumage for males, females, juveniles and seasonal plumage variations. Some birds appear different due to abnormal plumage, e.g. part or total albinism, leucism and melanism. Leucism is not uncommon and is seen across multiple species.The British Trust of Ornithology is currently running a plumage abnormality survey to try and better understand the condition, so if you’d like to partake, you can find the survey at the following link (along with a great information page and a gallery): https://www.bto.org/volunteer-surveys/gbw/about/background/projects/plumage
Q - I’ve found a tame pigeon with a ring on its leg – what should I do?A - Occasionally racing pigeons lose their way and take a break in our back gardens. They are usually tame and reluctant to fly because they tend to be exhausted having lost their way during a race. Sometimes they continue home having spent a couple of days recovering and feeding. If the bird stays longer than this, and can be caught and ring number obtained, the relevant pigeon racing association can track the owner by the ring number. The owner is under obligation to collect the bird at his own expense. You can report stray racing pigeons and receive detailed advice on what to do from the Royal Pigeon Racing Association – here is a link to their website: https://www.rpra.org/stray-reporting/
Q - I’ve found a dead bird of prey – what should I do? A - If you suspect any foul play (if you believe the bird has been shot or poisoned, or you find multiple dead birds of prey in one area or over a short period of time) then please report this by calling the police on 101. This is a crime under the Wildlife (NI) Order 1985, which protects all wild birds from unlawful killing or injury. It is important that if you suspect poisoning that you do not touch the bird. If you think the bird has most likely passed of natural causes, then the above is not necessary, but it may be wise to remain observant.
Q - Why is there a duck in my garden? A - During spring and summer single female ducks or mated pairs can be found well away from water, in gardens and other unlikely places such as window boxes or rooftops. This normally means that they are either planning to nest in the area, or have already started a nest. Ducks are very secretive about a nest, so if you see a pair of ducks hanging around the chances are they're already nesting. Be aware that ducks and their nests receive legal protection under the Wildlife (NI) Order 1985, so you must allow a duck access to her nest - you should not intervene by removing the ducks from your garden.
Q - I’ve found a mother duck and her ducklings – what should I do? A - It is always best to leave the family undisturbed whenever possible. The mother duck knows where the nearest water is to take her young to, although it may be a couple of miles away. In most instances it is best to leave her alone, because interference can cause extra stress and risk the mother panicking and abandoning her young.
It is important you catch the mother duck first, then the ducklings into a separate box. Be careful to ensure that the first effort to catch the mother is successful, because if she flies away in a panic, she may abandon her young. Handle the duck and ducklings as little as possible. However gentle you are, the whole experience will be very stressful for them. Once safely caught, take the family to a safe place, preferably near a pond, reservoir or lake with gently sloping banks and good cover. Release the ducklings first onto an open bank where they can stand and be seen by the mother. When you release the mother, make sure she has seen the ducklings before letting her go. Place the box she is in carefully on its side so that the opening faces the ducklings. Stand behind the box so that when it is opened, she can walk straight out to her family.
MORE INFORMATION (specific to Northern Ireland):Contacts for injured birds (and other wildlife):
Debbie Doolittle’s Wild Life operates a rescue and rehabilitation service to all wild animals. Debbie is contactable via her Facebook page, which has up-to-date information about how to get casualties to her with minimal to no contact.
Vets Now (24hr): 028 9065 1729 USPCA: 028 3025 1000 / enquiries@uspca.co.uk For injured bats, contact the NI Bat Group: https://www.bats-ni.org.uk/grounded-injured-bats/ For seal rescues, contact Exploris via Facebook or email info@explorisni.com Information on wildlife crime: Wildlife Law and You The Partnership for Action Against Wildlife Crime (PAW NI) PAW Nesting Birds Leaflet Photo credits: Baby robin by Ben Hall (rspb-images.com); starling by Ric Else; yellowhammers, reed buntings and tree sparrows by Claire Barnett; swift by Steve Blain.