Baby PigeonsAlthough the breeding season is now over for the vast majority of birds. We continue to have calls from concerned folk who have come across pigeons and doves including one found in a toilet bowl? Its perfectly normal for them to spend a few days sitting around looking very sorry for themselves whilst they learn to grasp their surroundings. The parents continue to feed them for a short while and encourage them to develop their flight muscles by calling to them. Unless your sure the bird is injured we still recommend leaving well alone and let the parents take the lead - despite the numerous other risks!
Racing PigeonsWe have had numerous calls of late from members of the public who have strangely friendly doves and pigeons showing up in their gardens or even houses! if the bird has rings on its legs is most likely to be a domesticated racing bird. We recommend not feeding them for more than a day, allowing them to perk up there energy and move on or getting the ring numbers and contacting the "Royal Pigeon Racing Association"..
Bird DiseaseTrichomoniasis reports are still regularly received and we are also getting reports of avian pox. This causes reddish growths normally around the face. Dunnocks and great tits are most frequently reported with it. See: http://www.rspb.org.uk/advice/helpingbirds/health/sickbirds/disease.asp
Grey squirrel controlQueries about our role in controlling grey squirrels to protect reds have continued following a mention on Animal Aids website. Ruddy ducks also get a mention. For further details on this please see the news blog.
Nestbox cleaningA few queries about whether to clean nestboxes out now the breeding season has finished.
The nests of most birds harbour fleas and other parasites, which remain to infest young birds that hatch the following year. We recommend that old nests be removed in the autumn, from August onwards once the birds have stopped using the box. Use boiling water to kill any remaining parasites, and let the box dry out thoroughly before replacing the lid. Insecticides and flea powders must not be used. If there are unhatched eggs in the box, these may be removed legally only between August and January, and must be disposed of. If you place a small handful of clean hay or wood shavings (not straw) in the box once it is thoroughly dry after cleaning, it may be used during the winter by small mammals to hibernate or by birds to roost. It is quite normal for a few eggs to fail to hatch, or for some young to die. Blue and great tits lay up to 14 eggs to allow for such losses. Cold weather and food shortage may lead to nest desertion, or to only the strongest young surviving. The death of one parent or interference from animals or humans may also cause desertion. Nestboxes in use should not be inspected. Simply watch and enjoy from a distance. If you want to see the chicks as they grow, consider installing a nestbox camera.
IDsWe were send a photo of a wryneck in a garden in Wiltshire and an escaped Harris's hawk which was apparently part of a pair. There was also a report of a few slender-billed curlews, which are almost certainly just curlews.