We are receiving a number of calls now from people who have tried rearing baby/injured birds at home during the lockdown, and many have been poisoned and died or suffered terribly due to diets people have 'found on the Internet'. Unfortunately there is more MIS-information online than genuine advice, and just because you found it via Google doesn't mean it's safe.

There is a list of suitable emergency foods under the Emergency Bird Feeds tab on this website, but you should NEVER feed any wild bird on cat food / raw milk / bacon / liver. These four food types cause massive and often irreparable damage to birds, and can leave them suffering a long time often fatally. Please never give salt to a bird either, not directly or mixed in water; it can only be used in water for cleansing external wounds.

Birds with broken or fractured bones need to have these set within 3 days by an experienced rehabilitator or vet. I have seen some birds this year with completely deformed wings where people have strapped them against the body "to stop them standing on it"; this means the wing sets curved in an unnatural position, goes stiff and useless and the bird often ends up falling on its side from where it cannot right itself. There is a great risk also that any wound on the underside of the wing or adjacent body will become infected and not seen until it is too late.

I do appreciate that there are still some sanctuaries that are full, and that people are being asked to travel further - but this is an exceptional year for many reasons. We must all work together for the welfare of the birds and wildlife living amongst us.

Nigel