Nestlings and Fledglings: can you tell what it is yet?

Later than usual Stapeley is now getting a steady stream of nestlings, quickly filling up our incubators and generating lots of hungry mouths to feed, usually on an hourly basis.  The most common reasons for admissions are their parents being predated on and the nest being disturbed or destroyed.  Fledglings are also admitted but often they are brought in too quickly; we are always encouraging concerned members of the public to monitor the situation to make sure their parents are not around the corner waiting for those concerned to move on.

  

Nestling Blackbirds

Nestling Wood Pigeon

During the process of admission we identify which species the nestlings are, which can prove tricky at times. When presented with an alien looking tiny pink nestling they can all look very similar, a bird in its adult plumage is much easier to classify.  It is important to identify correctly in order to provide the appropriate diet and housing.  Key clues that help us determine the species is the size of the nestling, the beak shape, feather markings (if they have any!) also the location found and which birds are known to nest in the area. 

Their true identity becomes more obvious as they grow, although usually right we get the odd occasion when it turns out to be something different!  See how many of the nestlings you can correctly identify from the photos (without looking at the captions!).

Nestling Wrens

Nestling Magpies

Nestlings and fledglings need specialist care for the best chance of survival, it is best to take them to a Wildlife Centre rather than attempting yourself. Also you should avoid carrying out building work, pruning, tree-felling or hedge-cutting in spring and summer as this causes many nesting birds to be disturbed and nests destroyed while in use.

For more information and advice on young birds please see this link

http://www.rspca.org.uk/utilities/faq/-/question/ENQWADFindingFledglingNestling/category/Wildlife/

Fledgling Black bird

Sponsors of Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre and Cattery

To donate to Stapeley text and our orphans: STAP70 £2 or £5 to 70070

Stapeley's orphaned badger cubs

At this time of year many badger cubs are exploring outside their den and learning new tricks. Over the past two months Stapeley has received six orphaned cubs, three were local from Staffordshire and Cheshire, the others from Northumberland, North Wales and the other was networked through RSPCA East Winch.  All were orphaned and many had had their mothers taken from them, victims of road traffic collisions.  When no one returns to feed them the cubs are often found weak and hungry and desperately trying to find food for themselves.  It is therefore imperative that they are brought in and cared for as soon as possible.  Unfortunately, one of the cubs was so weak that he had to be put to sleep.

 

When cubs are admitted it is important to obtain as much information as possible such as the exact location it was found, the more detailed the better. They are then weighed, checked over by a vet, blood samples are taken and any treatments they require administered.

One of the more recent cubs, a little orphaned female, was found next to her dead mother on the side of the road, which must have been very sad to see first hand.  In the wild the mother would wean them on regurgitated worms, I’m dedicated to my job but that is a bit far!  Therefore she was fed (a much nicer) meal of puppy chum and a bowl of puppy milk, three times a day.

Four of the five cubs have now been grouped together following a period of isolation. They are now found in the crèche shed where they are able to socialise.  This is off limits to most staff as we need to keep them wild.  Soon they will be released into a more natural setting, a paddock with an artificial sett and we hope to release them later in the year.  All our badgers are TB tested ensuring we are releasing TB free badgers.

                          

If you find a cub you believe has been orphaned, unless it is at risk or in urgent need of assistance, it is best to monitor the situation over at least 12 hours.  If your are concerned please call your local wildlife rehabilitator or the RSPCAs 24-hour cruelty and advice line: 0300 1234 999.

IMPORTANT: If you have not already done so please join the RSPCAs campaign to put a stop to the cull: http://www.rspca.org.uk/getinvolved/campaigns/wildlife/badgers

Sponsors of Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre and Cattery

To donate to Stapeley text and our orphans: STAP70 £2 or £5 to 70070