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Young Birds Fallen from the Nest

This is the time of year when WIRES receives many calls about young birds fallen from their nest.
The preferred solution is to try to return the nestling to its nest. This is not always possible as the nests are often out of reach, and with some species, the nest is not a substantial structure, but a casual arrangement of a few sticks.
However, many smaller, common species do have well-constructed nests which are within reach.
While WIRES carers are able to raise very young birds, we try to reunite them with the parent birds wherever possible. The parent birds do a better job raising their babies than humans.
Nestlings are young birds which are still dependent on the nest. Fledglings are young birds which are ready to leave the nest.
After young birds leave the nest for the first time, there is a critical period of a day or two where the fledglings are in learner mode. During this time, when they are learning to fly they are vulnerable to attack from domestic animals.
While it is human nature to care and want to feed young animals squawking for food, the hungry noises of the young are important in reuniting them with their parents. So it’s important not to feed baby birds. Different species have differing dietary needs which are critical for their survival.
Place a fledgling on a substantial branch in a bushy tree and watch to see if the parent birds are feeding it.
It is a myth that the scent of humans on a young bird will cause the parent to reject them.
Sometimes the fallen nestling needs to come into care. If in doubt, call WIRES. Also let us know if you have successfully reunited a fledgling with its parents.
WIRES hotline calls go into our database which is accessed for scientific purposes such as environmental mapping of endangered species, so we welcome calls seeking information or reporting sightings or experiences.
Call the WIRES 24 hour hotline on 6628 1898.

Snakes

 

Every week WIRES receives hundreds of calls from people concerned because they see a snake on their property.

WIRES is a volunteer organisation with trained reptile handlers. These dedicated people are volunteers who in most cases are employed in full time jobs and rescue and care for reptiles in their own time.

 

WIRES priority is to respond to situations where reptiles are injured.

We are unable to respond to all the calls we receive where the snake is not injured or posing an immediate risk to human safety.

We do however give advice to callers on steps they can take to safely and humanely encourage the snake to relocate elsewhere.

Generally snakes are shy, reclusive animals and will avoid confrontation with humans at all costs, preferring to flee if given the opportunity.

Snakes have no vested interest in attacking humans, and any bite occurrences are almost exclusively a defensive response to a perceived threat. Given this fact, it is reasonable to assume that, if left alone, the risk posed by any Australian snake would be negligible.

Our advice if someone calls because they have seen a snake outside their home is that generally they will move on before very long.

WIRES is a volunteer organisation, not a government department and we are not government funded. Our free services are only able to be provided as result of the generosity of the general public who make donations and the contributions of our volunteer rescuers and carers. 

Magpies and Spring

For most of the year magpies are wonderful neighbors. They are great insect pest catchers, and spend much time on lawns catching and eating lawn damaging scarab beetles. Magpies caroling song is enjoyed by many in urban areas.

 

Spring is the time of year when magpies are breeding and protecting their nests and young.  Magpies mate for life and they build a basket nest of sticks, lined with grass. The female magpie needs the protection of a dominant male bird to successfully hatch her chicks.
When eggs or young chicks are in the nest, the dominant male magpie in particular may show concern for his chicks by defending the territory from intruders including other magpies, cats and people.

But remember! Aggressive behaviour in a magpie will usually last for only six to eight weeks during the breeding season.
Magpies will usually swoop and clack their beaks to scare off an intruder, but some can become quite aggressive. Often this behaviour is because they have had a bad experience with people or children attacking them or their young.  Magpies are known to live for as long as 30 years and have very good memories.

If you do have a swooping magpie it is best to avoid the magpie wherever possible and walk another way to work or school. Wear sunglasses and a hat or better still, carry an open umbrella. Attaching large cable ties to a bike helmet so that the ends all stick out like an echidna is a very effective way of stopping magpies from swooping too closely. Children who are swooped while riding their bikes should get off their bikes and wheel them quickly away.
Do not act aggressively towards an attacking magpie as this will only escalate their behaviour.

 It is best not to feed our native wildlife, but sometimes offering the occasional piece of food to an aggressive magpie can stop this behavior. Small pieces of lean meat or cheese tossed out when the magpie is looking can make them realize you are not a threat.

Please be patient and remember this protective behavior only goes on for a number of weeks.

Indian Mynah information

Emu Survey can you help?

Osprey chick banding project can you help?

BIRDS ON FARMS

Newsletter

WIRES Northern Rivers newsletter will be available on this web site soon , if you would like a copy emailed to you before then, please send us an email on wiresnr@wiresnr.org.

Nest Box designs

Owl Nest Box directions

Country Energy goes ‘batty’ with support for orphaned Wildlife Enclosures Project Click here

Lions International, Green Corps & WIRES NR Project .

With a Lions Club Northern NSW Community Trust's  $10 000 grant donation from Lions International we were able to....Click here to read more

WIRES Northern Rivers hosted the WIRES Raptor Training course 19th & 20th of May 2007. To read more and look at the pictures from that exciting course, please click here.

Northern Rivers community Foundation, Fox Rd Landcare & WIRES project

Updated May 10, 2012

Webmaster: Susanne Ulyatt

© WIRES Northern Rivers 2004-2012