A HAMPSHIRE animal shelter has pleaded with residents not to pick up baby birds that could be injured.

RSPCA’s Stubbington Ark have said that the babies may not be hurt and will be rejected if a person approaches the offspring.

More and more birds are being brought into the Fareham centre by members of the public who fear they have found a bird who needs help.

More than 40 birds have been taken to the centre in the first month of fledgling season, which can run through until July, including ducklings, blackbird, pigeon and robin fledglings.

Kirstie Crocker, small animal supervisor at Stubbington Ark said: “The RSPCA asks the public not to touch a baby bird unless they’re sure it genuinely needs help – if it’s injured, sick or in immediate danger.

“Our centres care for more than 1,000 fledglings each year after they’re picked up by well-meaning members of the public during the spring months because they’re concerned they’ve been abandoned by their parents. The reality is that their parents are usually nearby and will still be feeding their baby.

“We advise watching fledglings and owlets from a distance to see if their parents come back as returning them to their nests can disrupt other babies.”

The RSPCA also say that baby owlets can climb back to their nests.