Summer is a season of plenty, with nature producing a bounty of food in the form of plants, flowers, fruits, and insects.
It’s also a season of round the clock duties for animal parents who are busy building and guarding nests plus feeding, protecting, teaching, and caring for their young.
Nature is wonderful but it can also be harsh with many baby birds and animals falling prey to predators or becoming orphans when their parents are killed.
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A wildlife rescue based in Barlby, Selby has seen a huge influx of orphaned wildlife this summer, with admissions already topping 100.
“The wildlife rescue is like a revolving door,” said Annette Pyrah, founder of the Rescue. “As soon as one patient is released, another four take its place. We have many patients in right now including a pied wagtail, baby blackbirds, ducklings, rabbits, and we are also caring for six baby tawny owls who have arrived from all parts of Yorkshire. One arrived from Guiseley, another from Ilkley and others brought from further afield. Wildlife Rescues are few and far between, yet people who care for wildlife are prepared to travel miles to ensure that the youngster gets help.”
Annette says anyone finding a young creature this summer can help them by doing the following.
- First ensure that the baby is a genuine orphan. Some species, such as blackbirds and tawny owls leave the nest before they can fly. Mum will continue to feed them on the ground until they can feed themselves, so please do not “rescue” them.
- If you do find an orphan, then please keep it warm, quiet and safe. A deep cardboard box lined with kitchen roll is ideal. Noise, such as children shouting or dogs barking can cause stress and may even kill the youngster.
- Ducklings don’t all hatch at the same time and consequently the last to hatch may be left trailing when mum moves them to water. Never put a solitary duckling on to water. Firstly, it is not waterproof when it loses mum and secondly, male ducks, the drakes, would kill it immediately.
- Food, such as mashed up cat meat can be used for some species in an emergency. Just add water and liquidise to a pate consistency. When a baby bird gapes, the food can be gently placed in the mouth. Once full, the baby bird will stop gaping.
The Wildlife Rescue is happy to give advice to anyone and can be contacted on 07803 180720. Information is also on the website: www.selbywildlife.co.uk. The Rescue is self funded so donations are greatly appreciated and can be sent to: Selby Wildlife Rehabilitation, Low Mill, York Road, Barlby, Selby. YO8 5JP
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