Lots and lots of calls just now for "an injured bird in the garden".

In truth, hardly any of these have been injured, but simply newly fledged birds who are in the flightless stage after leaving the nest. This stage for most birds completes in 4-8 days, though for owls it can take 3 weeks, and for ducks 7 weeks, swans and much larger birds even longer.

Even robins and wrens will be on the ground for the initial 3-4 days, only the tit and finch families tend to have it mastered by the end of the first day if they leave on a dry day at first light.

If you have a cat, it is your responsibility to keep it locked up if you have fledging birds in the locality. (Alas I did upset a caller this week by stating this to her!) If any predator discovers a nest, they will often keep returning until all the chicks have been taken. If we can help nature by minimising this risk, then the difference can be immense. 

The photo accompanying this report was for a call received regarding an injured crow in the garden. The description of a bird flapping but not gaining height, was typical for a juvenile, and the photo showing its under-developed tail feather confirmed this - even though it is quite a big bird (big birds have big babies!)

Nigel