Housemartins nest fallen from house

franco50 · #1 (**permalink**) 16-07-2008, 02:46 PM

I regularly have a housemartins nest on the end of my house but I noticed today that it had come down in the gusty winds. One fledgling was sadly dead but I spotted another two sitting on my driveway. I didn't go near them at first but observed from a distance and the adults were regularly swooping down to feed them. The youngsters often stretched their wings but seem unable to fly yet. I left them for an hour or so but they were still there. As I have three cats I did not want them to be easy targets so I gently picked the youngsters up and placed them under some shrubs in a raised bed directly below where their nest was located. My worry now is that the adults will find them under the shrubs, although I suspect they will have been watching my every move. I'm no expert on birds and am concerned that the young ones may not survive with their nest out of action. Is there anything I can do to help or is it best to leave them alone?

demicav · #2 (**permalink**) 16-07-2008, 03:29 PM

Oh dear, what a shame. I'm no expert either but I think if they're quite well advanced then it won't be long before they can fly. The parents should still feed them. Please wait for someone more knowledgeable to come along shortly.

franco50 · #3 (**permalink**) 16-07-2008, 03:29 PM

Sorry, excuse my typo in original post which should have read "My worry now is that the adults notwill find them under the shrubs, ...."

Unable to see how to edit my post although it says I can do so.

franco50 · #4 (**permalink**) 16-07-2008, 03:32 PM

Thanks demicav - I've just had a look outside again and both fledglings are now perched on the branches of one of the bigger shrubs. They certainly don't appear to be injured that I can see. I heard an adult chirping and swooping around overhead and can only hope that when I'd gone the young ones will have called out and the adult could find them.

demicav · #5 (**permalink**) 16-07-2008, 03:37 PM

The main worry is predators so it may be better to keep your cats in for a day or two just to give the little ones a good chance. I appreciate it's difficult with cats though if they're used to being outside.

deer boy · #6 (**permalink**) 16-07-2008, 05:04 PM

Why not make a temporary nest,fix a shelf like bracket to the outside of your house then put a tub on it with some stones in to weigh it down.
Then cover the stones over with some padding, mud,leaves ect & place birds in

franco50 · #7 (**permalink**) 16-07-2008, 06:08 PM

Well the latest is that I have now lost track of both fledglings. I had a look about 45 minutes ago and could only see one at that point and the other one had taken up station on a branch of one of the shrubs but it was low down and very exposed. One of my cats had begun to suss out what was going on so I placed the bird on a branch higher up. When I checked just now I can't see it at all despite searching under the bushes. If any of my cats had performed the nasty deed on either fledgling then they would have tried to bring them into the house or at least left them on the doorstep so I'm sure they havn't attacked the birds. I can only hope that, as they seemed quite close to fledging anyway, perhaps they have managed to fly or at least move somewhere else. Fingers crossed anyway.

franco50 · #8 (**permalink**) 16-07-2008, 07:02 PM

Not sure if anyone is the least bit interested

but one of the fledglings is among the shrubs after all, but again it has moved to one nearer ground level, although better hidden this time. I think because of the stiff breeze blowing it is obviously uncomfortable higher up in the branches. I am back at work tomorrow after a few days off so won't be able to monitor things unfortunately until I come home.

Blackdogjnr · #9 (**permalink**) 17-07-2008, 07:26 AM

If I found something like that, I'd just keep my cats indoors for a day, just to be safe.

I do hope they're okay

franco50 · #10 (**permalink**) 17-07-2008, 08:41 AM

Had a quick look this morning before I went to work and I couldn't see the young one that was there last night, unless it had moved under a bush as it was raining overnnight. I didn't have time to investigate further but I think I can only hope now that it (or they) will be OK. They appeared pretty close to fledging yesterday when I first saw them - stretching out their wings etc. - so fingers crossed.