Help please - Abandoned chicks

GedC · #1 (**permalink**) 22-05-2011, 09:18 PM

Hello everyone,

Yesterday I found a gound nest with 4 or 5 chicks in the bottom of a hedgerow in our garden in the Lincolnshire countryside. I suspect they might be Partridges (very common around here) but I am worried that the parent has abandoned the nest after being disturbed by our dogs.

I have protected the area with open wooden fencing so that the dogs can't get near but the parent can, however there has been no sign of any adult birds.

There is a pair of blackbirds around but I didn't think they were ground nesting.

Any advice would be gratefully received.

Thank you

Ged

gattomatto · #2 (**permalink**) 23-05-2011, 07:36 AM

Ged, do you have a pic of the baby birds?

Dave Hallam · #3 (**permalink**) 23-05-2011, 07:44 AM

Birds are more likely to abandon eggs than chicks. Hopefully you're just not seeing the adults return. If not I don't think there's much you can do

FUDGEY · #4 (**permalink**) 23-05-2011, 09:14 AM

Very rare for a bird to abandon young. Chances are it will be a Blackbird as they nest near or even on the ground regularly. If it was a Partridge there would probably be more young and once they hatch they would be on there way.

GedC · #5 (**permalink**) 24-05-2011, 05:32 PM

Thank you for your replies. It's good to know that they are less likely to be abandoned as chicks.

I think Fudgey might be right - we noticed a pair of blackbirds foraging across the lawn yesterday and one of them went under the fence where the nest is. The chicks are still alive - and their eyes are open now.

I will try and take a photo.

Thanks again

Much relieved.
Ged