Young swallow fights for life after children kick nest of chicks ‘like football’ in Narborough
The RSPCA is caring for a tiny swallow which was in a nest being kicked around by some children. Picture: RSPCA - Credit: Archant
A young swallow is fighting for life after it was rescued from a nest which had been kicked along a path by a group of children.
The bird weighs just 17g and was discovered on Monday, June 19, by a member of the public who saw the children kicking the nest.
The member of the public at first thought the nest, which was found in the Narborough area, was just some rubbish, but when they looked closer they discovered three dead swallows in the nest and one barely alive.
They took the bird to the RSPCA East Winch Wildlife Centre, where he is currently being cared for.
He has been checked over by a vet and has been given an oral rehydration solution and is now recovering in a quiet incubator.
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Alison Charles, centre manager at East Winch Wildlife Centre, said: 'We were horrified when we heard what had happened to this poor little swallow.
'Why anyone would think it was fun to kick a bird's nest with youngsters still in it is just wrong.
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'I can't believe that they would not have noticed the birds within the nest, and it's just truly appalling that youngsters would treat wild birds in this way.
'Swallows nest under roofs and on ledges and the nests are made of mud, so they can dry out in this exceptionally dry weather, but most caring people would take the time to check if there was any youngsters in it, not kick it around like a football.
'We would like to thank the concerned member of public who took the time to bring the swallow to us. Thankfully there are still lots of people out there who do really care for animals.
'We are doing all we can to help this poor bird, at this stage we are not sure if he will pull through, but we try our very best.'
There are currently 97 fledgling birds in the centre's orphan rooms and if you would like to help raise funds to support the work carried out by the RSPCA's East Winch Wildlife Centre, please text Text RSPCA3 to 70007 to donate £3 - which will donated direct to the centre.
Anyone with information about what happened to the swallow can contact the RSPCA Cruelty Line on 0300 123 4999.
