can someone help????

[sarahb]

HELP AND ADVISE URGENTLY NEEDED!!
I've been raising a fledgling blackbird for the last 6 weeks and am now realising I have done totally and utterly the wrong thing. I've tried to release her several times but she just wont go - she sees me as Mum. I'm now realising how selfish I have been in the way I've raised her. I should never have held her or talked to her. Although i've broken contact with her for the last couple of weeks and had her in my avery (which my cats normally use as thay are deaf and otherwise indoor), she now has absolutley no instinct. This morning when I tried again to let her free, she came face to face with 5 of my cats and just sat there looking at them. If I leave her out she'll be killed within hours. She just sits on the ground looking for me. Has anyone been in a similar situation or could anyone offer advise? This will never happen again but I'm now at a loss with what to do. It may seem a ridiculous question but are there any bird sanctuaries who may deal with this type of thing?

[cloud 9]

You could try the RSPB or you local RSPCA for advice, but you will no doubt get a lecture on leaving young birds alone as in most cases mum is not to far away.

Good luck

[Lincs Yellowbelly]

There's not alot you can do in a situation like this. Maybe your best option might be to take the bird out into the countryside away from houses(and cats) and release it and drive away. The blackbird may survive or itr may be eaten by something.

[Alan]

Hello Sarah, and welcome to the forum.

Ring your local wildlife rescue centre and ask their advice. They may have some other youngsters with similar problems, and you may be able to put it with them to socialize and eventual release in the near future.

All the best with it.

Alan

[chunkychambers]

Hello Sarah and welcome to the site.
It may be too late to release this bird back to the wild and if it is perhaps you should consider keeping it.
If thats not an option then the RSPB or your local wild-life group may be able to help.

I'll wager you'll never make that mistake again
Good luck, it's obvious you've got the birds best interests at heart.

[sarahb]

Yep, the RSPB have said to drive her to a park and to leave her there. I know I'm being utterly utterly stupid but she just sits and calls for me. I just couldn't come home without her. I guess the countryside is a better bet but I know a Fox will snap her up within hours. I'm silly and selfish to be attached i know but i can't bear this situation!!! SB

[sarahb]

oops, sorry, I managed to post my earlier post :-)

Thanks for the advance all. I have toyed with keeping her in the avery but I think that's illegal. She's obviously a wild bird so on one hand I know i shouldn't on the other hand, she'll live a good life. All the little garden birds get in the avery so she's not on her own. But that's really selfish isn't it?? I need someone elses opinion...all are gratefully recieved. leave her to certain doom or keep her? (my avery is 20 ft square)

[Gill Catton]

Originally Posted by sarahb

Yep, the RSPB have said to drive her to a park and to leave her there. I know I'm being utterly utterly stupid but she just sits and calls for me. I just couldn't come home without her. I guess the countryside is a better bet but I know a Fox will snap her up within hours. I'm silly and selfish to be attached i know but i can't bear this situation!!! SB

Don't beat yourself up too much, you only followed your instinct, sometimes we are as tied to those as any other animal. Not sure what the solution to yor problem is except perhaps release her into the wild somewhere where there are other birds for her to learn from and trees so she clan flutter up out of the way of most predators. Her instinct to survive on her own will kick in soon enough.
Or perhaps release her somewhere like Slimbridge WWT reserve where food is plentiful and she can still be around people (and foxes are probably excluded or controlled) - or some other RSPB reserve where they have feeders for wild birds. Do it SOON so she can also learn about natural food abundant at this time of year while it's still warm...

Good luck and hugs you will be ok and so will she

[sarahb]

Thanks Gill :-) will think along those lines

[Gill Catton]

Originally Posted by sarahb

Thanks Gill :-) will think along those lines

oh and I do think you should let her go, yes it's true she might not make it, that's the fate of so many animals - all of us in the end of course, but if you keep her, she'l never have the opportunity to be a proper blackbird, she'll never breed, or pull worms, or be seduced by the gorgeous male with the beautiful song two ash trees down.......

[friendly blackbird]

Hello Sarah,

I found my blackbird in early May, he is wild now but still comes to the door for his food every day. In the early days I didn't think he would survive so I rang the local vet who told me of a wildlife centre in Cheshire where they look after them and introduce them to the wild. I phoned them and they said that depending on how much they have relied on you they might never survive in the wild. However, I didn't take him there and now he spends all of his days in my garden but flies off at night but he's back every day. At the time people were saying to me try to hand feed him or pick him up, but I wanted him to survive on his own with a lot of help from me and now he comes to the door about 6 or 7 times a day for his mealworms. I would be tempted to carry on looking after it. It sounds quite happy not being in the wild.

Good luck.

Marie.

[sarahb]

Thanks Marie, sounds like you have it just right!! I have to have some conifers cut in the next week, so I shall keep her in the avery until the chainsaws have stopped, then I plan to simply leave the door open for her and pray!! I haven't even spoken to her for a good month now but she still just sits on the floor. I can only hope that her instinct will kick in when she sees danger and she'll roost. Fingers crossed :-)