Bird Flu (Avian Influenza)

Injured Birds

If you have found an injured bird of prey, please read-through the following advice before acting.

If you are able to approach/touch a bird of prey, it is likely very sick or seriously injured. Where this is the case:

In light of current Bird Flu measures, please contact us before touching or moving the bird.

• Catch/cover the bird using a large towel or similar and put it in a dark, well ventilated box. Ideally put the towel in the box with the bird. Do not add any additional heat to the box (such as hot water bottles) as the sudden change in temperature isn’t good for the bird.
• Do NOT use a wire cage/cat cage or similar.
• Make a note of where the bird was found.
• Do NOT attempt to feed the bird or provide water.
• Contact either your local vet, the RSPCA or the Trust on 01264 773850 or 07919 061873 (if not office hours).

Young Birds

If you find a young bird of prey, depending on the time of year, it may not be injured. Young birds will often leave the nest/box before they are able to fly and, as a result, are unable to return to it. This does not mean that they are in need of help though as the parents will continue to care for them. These young birds should be left alone and where they are.

If there are obvious dangers nearby, then move the bird to a nearby branch or hedge. These dangers may include:

• cats, dogs and cars
• the bird is on a pathway, bridleway, track or road

If this is not possible or you’re ever in doubt, don’t hesitate to give us a call on 01264 773850 for advice.

If the bird is obviously injured (bleeding) or there are other dead/injured birds nearby, follow the advice above for injured birds.

Young Tawny Owls

During the spring and summer, there are often many Tawny Owls in our hospital. It’s quite common for young chicks to leave the nest before they’re able to fly well enough to return to the nest. This means that although one might be found on the ground, its parents will continue to care for it. We recommend that if you do come across a Tawny Owl chick on the ground, leave it where it is.

If there are obvious dangers nearby, then move the bird to a nearby branch or hedge. These dangers may include:

• cats, dogs and cars
• the bird is on a pathway, bridleway, track or road

Do not try returning the chick to a nest as the parents may attack while defending their nest.

If you see a Tawny Owl that’s obviously injured (bleeding) or there are other dead/injured birds nearby, then please call us or bring it to us. If you’re ever in doubt, don’t hesitate to give us a call on 01264 773850 or 07919 061873 (if not office hours) for advice.

Young Barn Owls

If you find a young Barn Owl on the ground that isn’t obviously injured, there may be a number of reasons why it isn’t still in the nest:

• It may have fallen or been accidently pushed from the nest. Where this is the case, the chick should be returned to the nest/box as the parents will not continue to care for it whilst it is on the ground. However, there are potential issues to consider:
  • Nests are usually at height and, therefore, potentially dangerous
  • Parents may be very defensive
  • May cause other owls of the brood to jump from/leave the nest
  • Potential legal implications – Some species (Barn Owl being the most common) are listed under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981. This means that it is illegal to disturb them when they are nesting. So, visiting a nest to put a fallen bird back could be construed as disturbance for any number of reasons. Therefore, we would always advise that you contact someone with a disturbance licence to put the bird back. Failing that, or if there is no time, phone the local Police Wildlife Liaison Officer and let them know what you’re doing and why.
• Food shortages due to lack of general prey abundance or death of one or both parents. Where food shortage is the cause then it is unlikely that the chick will survive if returned to the nest.

If you are in any doubt, please call 01264 773850 or 07919 061873 (if not office hours) for advice.