FaunaHub

Birdwatching · Nesting Birdwatching

Bird Nesting Season Basics

In short

During nesting season the most responsible thing you can do is leave nests alone. Do not touch, move, or disturb nests, eggs, or chicks — many are protected by law — and keep your distance so parent birds can come and go. If you are genuinely concerned about a nest or a chick, contact a local wildlife authority or licensed rehabilitator for guidance rather than intervening yourself.

Why nests are best left completely alone

  • Disturbance can cause parents to abandon a nest or expose eggs and chicks to predators and weather.
  • Many nests, eggs, and birds are legally protected; disturbing them can be an offence.
  • A young bird out of the nest is often not abandoned — parents are usually nearby.
  • Keeping your distance lets parent birds feed and tend young normally.

If you are concerned about a nest or chick

Concern is understandable, but intervention usually does more harm than good.

  • Watch from a distance for a while; parent birds are often just out of sight.
  • Keep pets and children away from the area.
  • Do not move the nest, handle chicks, or attempt to feed or raise them.
  • Contact a local wildlife authority or licensed rehabilitator and follow their guidance.

Nesting-season checklist

  • Kept well away from any nest, eggs, or chicks.
  • Avoided trimming hedges or trees that may hold active nests during breeding season.
  • Kept pets and children away from nesting areas.
  • Watched from a distance before assuming a young bird needs help.
  • Contacted a local wildlife authority or rehabilitator for any genuine concern.

What not to assume

  • Do not assume a fledgling on the ground is abandoned — many are being watched by parents.
  • Do not assume it is okay to move a nest, even a little.
  • Do not assume handling eggs or chicks is harmless.
  • Do not assume nests are unprotected; many are covered by wildlife law.

When to contact a wildlife authority

If you are genuinely worried, ask the experts rather than intervening yourself.

  • A nest, eggs, or chicks in clear, immediate danger — contact a local wildlife authority for guidance.
  • A young bird that appears injured (not just out of the nest) — contact a licensed rehabilitator.
  • Suspected illegal disturbance or destruction of a protected nest — report it to the authority.
  • Tree or hedge work that may affect active nests — pause and seek advice first.
  • Any situation where you are unsure — ask a qualified authority before acting.

Bird Nesting Season Basics — Frequently Asked Questions

I found a baby bird on the ground — should I help it?
Often, no intervention is needed. Many young birds (fledglings) leave the nest before they can fly well and are still cared for by parents nearby. Watch from a distance, keep pets away, and only contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator if the bird is clearly injured or in danger.
Can I move a nest that is in an inconvenient place?
No. Moving a nest can cause abandonment and is often illegal, as many nests are protected during the breeding season. If a nest is genuinely a problem, contact your local wildlife authority for guidance rather than moving it yourself.
Is it true that touching a baby bird makes parents reject it?
The idea that parents abandon young that have been touched is largely a myth for most birds, but that is not a reason to handle them. Handling causes stress and risk, and many birds are protected, so the right approach is still to leave young birds alone and seek expert guidance if needed.

Sources and further reading

Authoritative references used for general educational context. External links open in a new tab and these organisations do not endorse FaunaHub. Bird needs, behaviour, and local wildlife rules vary by species and region — confirm specifics with a qualified avian veterinarian, licensed wildlife rehabilitator, or local wildlife authority. This page does not give diagnosis, treatment, medication, or wildlife-handling instructions.