Watch out for baby wildlife (From York Press)

Watch out for baby wildlife

8:22am Thursday 25th October 2012 in News By Dan Bean, dan.bean@thepress.co.uk

PEOPLE are being urged to look out for newborn wildlife while tidying up their gardens before winter.

Annette Pyrah was recently called out to a property in the Selby area after a newly-hatched wood pigeon, later named Ebony, was found after falling 20 feet from its nest.

Annette, from Selby Wildlife Rehabilitation, said: “At first I thought he was dead. Then his beak slowly opened as if gasping his last breath. He was just minutes from death.”

“I could not believe how this pathetic, almost naked scrap had survived.”

She took the bird home, and placed him under an infra-red lamp, before nurturing him back to health by brushing his beak with tepid water using a child’s paint brush, then bottle feeding him warm porridge.

Ebony is now being hand fed alonside a white baby dove, named Ivory. Annette urged residents to look out for young birds and animals who may struggle in colder temperatures.

Annette saidd: “It’s easy to think that in October all baby birds have fledged, but not so pigeons and doves. Their breeding season goes on well into autumn. Anyone chopping down trees should check for nests first and ensure they are empty.”

Baby hedgehogs are also a concern. Annette said: “Hedgehogs have a second litter around September time. We have admitted a large number of babies, ranging from 100g to 200g in weight. These autumn babies are too tiny to survive hibernation and will be over- wintered with me and released next spring. Baby mammals will not feed if they are cold.

“If you find any, never feed them cow’s milk, but try puppy food mixed with water.”

If you have any questions about helping young or injured animals, contact Selby Wildlife Rehabilitation on 01757 290459, 07803 180720 or visit selbywildlife.co.uk