I can't do it!!!!!

[2dogs2000]

When I arrived home from work today (1 p.m.)a blue tit fledgling sat on my path. I have a nest in my airbrick and I missed them all flying the nest.
Following guidelines on here I have left well alone and watched the parents coming and going. The fledgling is unhurt but I don't think it can fly yet. I believe it was the last to hatch and therefore the youngest. I went out this afternoon for a couple of hours hoping that nature would take its course and the blue tit would be gone (flown or otherwise). But it is still there and the parents are still coming and going. It will soon be time for the birds to roost for the night (8.30 ish?). Now what????? I am tempted to put fledgling in a cardboard box with bedding and place it in a safe place near where its parents know where it is. We do have cats visiting our garden at night when they know the dogs are locked up. I feel that the parents have worked so hard for this fledgling that they deserve a bit of help, even if it is just to protect it over night. I CAN'T just ignore it!!!!!

We even had a sparrowhawk land on the fence this afternoon, but she didn't see the fledgling. I could have coped with that if she had, but I don't want the cats to get it.

[Doggle Avaddit]

Originally Posted by 2dogs2000

When I arrived home from work today (1 p.m.)a blue tit fledgling sat on my path. I have a nest in my airbrick and I missed them all flying the nest.
Following guidelines on here I have left well alone and watched the parents coming and going. The fledgling is unhurt but I don't think it can fly yet. I believe it was the last to hatch and therefore the youngest. I went out this afternoon for a couple of hours hoping that nature would take its course and the blue tit would be gone (flown or otherwise). But it is still there and the parents are still coming and going. It will soon be time for the birds to roost for the night (8.30 ish?). Now what????? I am tempted to put fledgling in a cardboard box with bedding and place it in a safe place near where its parents know where it is. We do have cats visiting our garden at night when they know the dogs are locked up. I feel that the parents have worked so hard for this fledgling that they deserve a bit of help, even if it is just to protect it over night. I CAN'T just ignore it!!!!!

We even had a sparrowhawk land on the fence this afternoon, but she didn't see the fledgling. I could have coped with that if she had, but I don't want the cats to get it.

The parents perhaps know something you don't - i.e the fledgling is sick, injured or otherwise destined not to survive.

I would trust their judgement rather than your own, they are the experts here.

[Tringa]

I am no expert, but can you put the chick into a nearby bush or tree? This would get it off the ground.

Others may have different and better opinions.

Dave

[2dogs2000]

Originally Posted by Tringa

I am no expert, but can you put the chick into a nearby bush or tree? This would get it off the ground.

Others may have different and better opinions.

Dave

I realise that the main opinion will be to do nothing. Let nature take its course. That is why my thread title is what it is. The bushes and trees are too far from where it is at the moment but there is some old greenhouse shelving nearby that I can put it on out of the reach of CATS.

[Lindsay-c]

Thats a tricky one.

Like you I don't think I'd be able to just leave it.

But then again I would probably sit up all night with a broom to chase of the cats

but I don't suppose most people would fancy setting up camp on a wednesday night though


Do give us an update and tell us what you did or what has become of the fledgling

[Eyre]

Leaving it to the cats would not be letting nature take its course. The only reason for the cats being there is because we have domesticated them and have them as pets.

I think you should keep the bird in the garden but higher up, safe from the cats.

[posie]

...I would have waited till roost time and put it up in a safe place for the parents to resume feedig it in the morning....I don't think they thought or knew there was something wrong with it, otherwise why did they continue to feed it for so long till so late..my other option would have been to stay awake all night to keep the cats off, but this second option wouldn't be as easy as option one, that's why it's option number two....Posie..

[FUDGEY]

Dont get to caught up with "guidelines" mate, I do as I think is right. Too many like to bleat about letting nature take its course, but at times this is impossible for me. There are 100s of examples where we interfere with nature, sometimes to small degree and others to a huge degree. We are all entitled to our opinion so do what YOU think is right. If it were me, Id have put it of the ground in a safer place. Good luck

[honeywebb]

My baby blue tits started leaving the nestbox one by one starting monday morning & i have had a stressful few days keeping tabs on them from the kitchen window!
The cat has been under house arrest & is not amused!
There are 3 of them & their latest position is on the patio behind a large flowerpot..they have gradually got stronger each day & although they are fluttering they cannot get more than a couple of inches off the ground.
Mum & Dad are feeding them.
I know how you feel as i have worried about them every night as we have lots of magpies, crows & neighbouring cats but so far, fingers crossed, they have survived.
I just want them to hurry up & fly away!!

[posie]

Originally Posted by FUDGEY

Dont get to caught up with "guidelines" mate, I do as I think is right. Too many like to bleat about letting nature take its course, but at times this is impossible for me. There are 100s of examples where we interfere with nature, sometimes to small degree and others to a huge degree. We are all entitled to our opinion so do what YOU think is right. If it were me, Id have put it of the ground in a safer place. Good luck

..Hi FUDGEY...I couldn't have put it better myself..Posie..