Helped save (?) a stunned fledgling dunnock today

[googler]

Mid-afternoon today, OH calls to say we have a stunned juvenile Dunnock on the patio. Still had baby fluff feathers. Looks like it had bounced off the kitchen window, sat there looking at the wall. Could see it breathing (or its heart pounding), with beak moving up & down slightly.

Had a peek at it, and it showed no signs of moving, even when I got within a couple of feet or so. The eyes weren't blinking quickly, I could see the eyelids slooooowly closing and opening again.

Got a cardboard box, cut a couple of Dunnock sized 'doorways' in the side, and placed it over it. Scattered some seed at the door, and waited.

An hour or so later, young Dunnock came out from under the box, by this time there was a small dish of water to add to the seed.

Little by little, he perked up and the movements got more bird-like, and less in slow motion. He had a peck at the seed, and about 15 mins later, he jumped up on some nearby twigs, made a couple of flying attempts where he fell back to ground, and third time lucky, flew off and disappeared to the back of the garden.

Made us both feel like lifesavers......

Photo to follow.

[googler]

[googler]

The little white dish is about 3 inches across....

[posie]

Ahh, I know how you feel, they look so helpless don't they. Anyway looks as though your one survived OK. Thats good idea about the box, I'll remember that in case I ever need to do it......Posie