strimmer_13 Posted July 30, 2020 Report Share Posted July 30, 2020 (edited) Just found a young buzzard that cant fly off, should I do anything or leave it alone? I could easily catch it, doesn't seem injured at all, just unable or strong enough to fly. If he stays where he is the badgers of fox will have him before the night is out Edited July 30, 2020 by strimmer_13 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gsalmons Posted July 30, 2020 Report Share Posted July 30, 2020 Did something similar recently (with a young magpie - dont tell anyone!), caught it and put it in a lowish tree branch with plenty of foilage for cover. Gone the next day but no feathers so assumed it was ok Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strimmer_13 Posted July 30, 2020 Author Report Share Posted July 30, 2020 Trying to get hold of a falconer see what he reckons Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pistol p Posted July 30, 2020 Report Share Posted July 30, 2020 If you try to catch him, wear some eye protection at the very least. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strimmer_13 Posted July 30, 2020 Author Report Share Posted July 30, 2020 Think I'll catch him and put him up a tree, he won't last 5 mins here after dark with the amount of badger sets here. I'd say he's dropped out the tree and just nackered himself out in this heat trying to get up, he was in the tree root system I'm sat by. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old'un Posted July 30, 2020 Report Share Posted July 30, 2020 It looks well feathered, I am surprised it cannot fly, is it possibly injured? Does it make any attempt to get away from you if you walk towards it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strimmer_13 Posted July 30, 2020 Author Report Share Posted July 30, 2020 (edited) He gos about 5 meters that's it. Just lying down gasping. I've just placed him up a tree about 8ft as raptor rescue phoned and said that should do it. I had a handle, no broken wings, nothing bad on the chest, just looked exhausted from the heat. Well ive given him a chance, I'll check the area in a few days and hopefully not find any remains 👍 Edited July 30, 2020 by strimmer_13 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mickeydredd Posted July 30, 2020 Report Share Posted July 30, 2020 Parents should still be feeding him if he is a youngster so keep an eye out for them. If no parents around then he is probably weak from hunger and won't last long Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strimmer_13 Posted July 31, 2020 Author Report Share Posted July 31, 2020 I won't be back till Sunday, if by a miracle he's not been eaten and still there, I'll bring him back and take him to a local falconer. I delt with owls for a fair few years, but they were all hand reared, and i hand fed the lot (with the scars too prove 😂) and spent a lot of free time with them, so I'm 100% confident it was heat exhausted from exposure. Just I've never faced this with a wild bird. Oh well we shall see what nature wants to do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mickeydredd Posted August 1, 2020 Report Share Posted August 1, 2020 (edited) If it is a youngster and his parent's are no longer feeding him (which I'd be surprised at given the time of year) then it could be heat exhaustion as he will be having to try to find food even in this heat when he should be sitting in a tree in the shade. I think he is a youngster, a very light phase bird. If he is injured and cannot fly then he will probably be dead through starvation or from being something's dinner. Most common injury is a broken wing and vets will often just euthanize them. Edited August 1, 2020 by Mickeydredd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
washerboy Posted August 1, 2020 Report Share Posted August 1, 2020 Update?... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mickeydredd Posted August 1, 2020 Report Share Posted August 1, 2020 On 31/07/2020 at 16:44, strimmer_13 said: I won't be back till Sunday, 8 minutes ago, washerboy said: Update?... see above Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strimmer_13 Posted August 1, 2020 Author Report Share Posted August 1, 2020 Shall be there first thing in the morning, I work Saturdays unfortunately. No word from the farmer who I notified as well so maybe all is well. I hope so. Failing and its still looking bad and giving up I'll bring it back asap and take it to a dedicated raptor rescue, not that I don't trust the rspca, just a falconer is about 1/2 mile away and I'd say he's more clued up with hydrating it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackbird Posted August 1, 2020 Report Share Posted August 1, 2020 Keep us updated 👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fern01 Posted August 1, 2020 Report Share Posted August 1, 2020 (edited) Young birds like this often hit overhead wires when chasing prey I took one like this to a Falconry Centre and the main flight feathers had been damaged this way. By the way they do a routine x-ray to check for broken bones and lead shot It took a full year before it fully recovered and was able to hunt Edited August 1, 2020 by fern01 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welsh1 Posted August 1, 2020 Report Share Posted August 1, 2020 I saw one by the side of a road, he must have glanced a vehicle as he was just sitting there dazed, picked him up with my bike gloves on placed him in a tree in a small copse just off the road, a few hours later he was gone, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strimmer_13 Posted August 2, 2020 Author Report Share Posted August 2, 2020 Well hit the rabbits at 6am then drove to where I last saw it. Walked around, had a extensive search with no sign of it, or any feathers. Checked all the sets and hedges nothing so hopefully it made it 👍 Badgers are wrecking the place tho, how the cows ain't broken to bits yet I'll never know Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scotslad Posted August 2, 2020 Report Share Posted August 2, 2020 Why not just leave it as it was and let nature do its thing?? How many ground nesting bird nests will a badger have to raid to get the same protein as the young buzzard?? U wouldn't rescue a young fox cub or young crow so why rescue another predator. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
washerboy Posted August 2, 2020 Report Share Posted August 2, 2020 How do you know he wouldn't rescue a fox cub or even a badger cub? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
12gauge82 Posted August 2, 2020 Report Share Posted August 2, 2020 Well done strimmer, ignore the moaners on here, you did a good deed 👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strimmer_13 Posted August 2, 2020 Author Report Share Posted August 2, 2020 See the thing is, and it's a little off topic, I will, shoot a fox, and i've shot cubs. But here I won't. I don't see the need. In fact I let a load walk past the other week, because there is none here (surprisingly) and was a pleasure to see them playing. So yes i would pick up a cub. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
washerboy Posted August 2, 2020 Report Share Posted August 2, 2020 I've dug cubs back when I could with a terrier but never enjoyed it. I've killed foxes but only on land I've been asked to, last time I was out with the lurcher was told to take foxes and had to explain to the land owner not anymore. Rifle or shotgun only Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strimmer_13 Posted August 2, 2020 Author Report Share Posted August 2, 2020 If it was in a area where there was issues with livestock, and over run, I'd of shot them. I ain't a angel, but I'll keep a balance if I can. Eradicating ain't my cup of tea. Unless it's rats or squirrels. I let a Jay fly past today, I could of shot it, but chose not too, didnt see the point when it's the first one I've seen in years. As a side note since I was young we've had in our houses 1 fox. It stank. 2/3 woodpigeons, 2 rooks and 2/3 crows, all pushed out from nests and made into pets. All called plop or widgie, very original. 1 Swan (which we rehabilitated for 6 months from being shot, then it was found shot dead this time). Tawny, little and barn owls, merlins, kestrels and herons (scar on my head from him). Think we might of had a sparrow hawk at some point too. Loads more but I cant be ***** to argue my point anymore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
washerboy Posted August 2, 2020 Report Share Posted August 2, 2020 We had the odd magpie as kids, when it died the ferrets ate it. Never seen a merlin or a hobby. They are on my list to view Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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