The RSPCA has revealed it has received nearly 500 calls from people in Hampshire seeking advice after finding baby birds.

As the spring season is now in full force the animal charity is bracing for a record number of calls from worried residents asking what they should do if they find a baby bird.

Nationally, in 2023 the RSPCA have had almost 500 callers every day in May and June from people seeking guidance on how they could help baby birds during those two peak months.

In order to brace for the influx of baby bird related calls, the RSPCA has put together the following advice on what to do if you find a baby bird.

The charity has broken the advice down into two categories:

Nestlings (no feathers): Re-nest if possible: With few or no feathers, nestlings won’t survive long outside the nest, so where possible, put them back in the nest and leave them in the wild. If they may be injured, please take them to a vet.

Fledglings (have feathers): Don’t disturb. It’s normal for fledglings to be on the ground as they may leave the nest before they can fly. Parents are usually nearby and feeding the bird. If they may be injured, please take them to a vet.

RSPCA scientific officer Rebecca Machin said: “It’s wonderful that so many people want to do the best for our wild birds, particularly if a baby bird has been found out of its nest.”

Data has revealed that in Hampshire, from January 2021 to March 2024, the RSPCA received 16,806 baby bird related calls, 488 of which were from Hampshire.

Rebecca continued: “And it’s great that tens of thousands of people are following our online guidance on how to help - rather than calling us - as this is usually the best and fastest way to help them.

“While in many cases, the advice will be that there’s no need to intervene, especially if the bird is a fledgling, it’s great to have so many people showing they are for every kind by looking out for these baby birds.”