Found a young bird in your garden?

Your first reaction? To pick it up and put it somewhere safe. But however well you mean it, in most cases a young bird doesn't need any help at all. Sometimes, the best help you can give it is to leave it alone for a while.

Not every young bird is abandoned

In the spring and summer, many young birds leave the nest before they can fly properly. They hop around and sometimes seem helpless, but often they are simply taking their first steps towards independence. Their parents are usually still nearby and return regularly to bring food.

That way you really help

It's best to leave a young, alert bird that is trying to move on its own alone. Keep pets away and give the parents a chance to do their work. Is it in a dangerous spot? Then carefully move it to a sheltered spot nearby, such as under a bush or hedge.

Help not the child, but the parents

Never give a young bird bread, milk, or water indiscriminately. Young birds have specific diets and are still cared for by their parents. Do you still want to help? Then support the parent birds with a safe and reliable feeding station.

The Party Specials with nutritious mealworms are a valuable addition during the breeding season, when parent birds are busy feeding their young.

With a safe, green garden and a reliable feeding spot for the parent birds, you're helping to support a new generation of garden birds. This way, your garden quickly becomes a place that birds, big and small, love to visit.

When should you intervene?

Is the bird visibly injured, very weak, or attacked by a cat or dog? If so, contact a bird rescue centre. And don't worry: a young bird will not be abandoned just because you have touched it briefly.