Paul Bibby
The Northern Rivers wildlife rescue service WIRES has received numerous calls about baby chicks getting into difficulty thanks to the early arrival of Spring-like conditions.
WIRES said its members were observing multiple species beginning to breed and were bracing for an early Spring.
‘Plover chicks are hatching and parents are acting like all parents do, defending their young,’ the group’s publicity officer Renata Phelps said.
‘Swallow chicks are popping from their eggs and chirping their way through worms and grubs. Please be
patient if they are pooping on something below.
‘Noisy miner chicks are falling from nests; they are being rescued and reunited. Ducklings are trotting after their mums and dads… some sadly become separated from parents.’
The services reminded the public that the best place for any chick was with its parents.
‘If you do find a chick that has fallen from a nest, please contact WIRES on 66281898 for advice,’ Me Phelps said..
‘Most chicks, if they are uninjured and are not cold or dehydrated, can be reunited with their parents. In some cases WIRES will take the chick/s into care for a short while until reuniting is possible.’
We have a late seasion mother duck as there is snow in the mountains and in late winter as the chill is still with us the ducklings duck for duck down cover.
Unfortunately, you can tell Spring has started by the Roadkill. Yesterday, I drove past Wallaby remains, almost unrecognisable in the middle of Bangalow road and further on, an Echidna dead beside the road. So sad.