In The Back Yard - where we have small thoughts about wildlife.
The main thing to remember is that it is natural to find wildlife in our back yards and neighborhoods and most wildlife does not need rescuing.
Yet baby season comes around and hundreds of baby animals are kidnapped in the mistaken view that they are in trouble.
The song birds that live in our area nest between the beginning of March and the end of August. Peak breeding activity is mid-May to mid-July. Many species, including Cardinals, Wrens and Bluebirds raise 2 to 3 separate broods in a season.
Baby birds fledge – leave the nest – 10 to21 days after hatching. At this point they should be mostly covered with feathers - but cannot fly. They will spend a few days on the ground hopping around and hiding in bushes. The parents continue to feed them.
These birds do not need you to swoop in and kidnap the fledgling.
You can watch from a distance.
Keep your dogs and cats inside – it will just be a few days as these babies learn to fly.
Move it only if it is in immediate danger – like sitting in the middle of a busy driveway – just pick it up gently and put in near a nearby bush.
Additional Thoughts:
Wildlife thrives in a yard that has native plants and water sources. Native plants provide much needed food and shelter to wildlife.
Putting a bird feeder and a bird bath in your back yard is very helpful to the birds that make your back yard home.
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