Having my morning coffee on Saturday, I watched a mama turkey and her baby turkeys walk through my yard. I snapped some photos and was tickled. I love that there is so much nature in our yard.
After some errands, I walked up to my front door and hear the chirp of tiny baby birds. A small nest was on the ground. I had my gutters cleaned a week prior and the nest must have been made out of the debris that fell from the roof. Two feet from my front door, on the ground, were 4 tiny newly-born birds in a nest made mostly of leaves. (These were not the baby turkeys I saw earlier. These were a another set of babies.)
I committed to the idea of using the back door, so we wouldn't disturb them or their mama. I snapped a video. They were so tiny! Their eyes weren't even open. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10151666319623046&l=5960661472450075170
By 1pm, they were falling out of the nest. I was getting worried. I didn't dare touch them. I wondered when their mama would return.
By the next morning, all but one were sprawled out on the ground, a foot from the nest. The mama had not return. They didn't lift their heads and chirp. I was concerned. I could see their tiny chests still breathing.
My parents urged that I find the Fox Valley Wildlife Center in Elburn, IL.
I called and explained the situation. I didn't want the babies to die. I was not confident the mama was going to come back. She told me to bring them in.
My son and I took the drive. Route 47 to Route 38. Turn Left (West) and the big brown signs tell you were the Forrest Preserve entrance is. The little white house close to the entrance is the Fox Valley Wildlife Center. 630-365-3800. http://www.foxvalleywildlife.org/
There was a wild bird on the staircase as we walked in. Still alive, but injured I presumed. It sat there limply. As soon as we opened the door, the bird flew in. My expression gave way to the employees quick explanation that that bird had been a rescue and lingers around. He lives there.
I looked past the employee into the scattered home and saw a goose walking around. Many wild birds were chirping happily in cages. There were animals everywhere. "We can help them" the employee said as she took my box.
I felt relief. She explained that I could have moved the babies back into the nest. That it's an old wives tale about not touching or moving the birds. "Birds smell so awful there's no way human scent would be traced."
Good to know. She agreed that the babies were in bad shape and needed to be fed.
They were going to help them.
She took my information and we left.
I feel like I have added two new skills to my "what to do in this situation" list. I had to share in case this ever happens to you. Additionally, a wonderful place to make a donation to is the Fox Valley Wildlife Center. They are open every day.
