Fifth Day Birders

04/09/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/1C7aPAMfEV/?mibextid=wwXIfr

There's a baby bird on the ground. It's sitting in the grass near your patio. It looks helpless. You want to pick it up.

Before you touch it, answer three questions. They take ten seconds and they determine whether your help saves it or kills it.

Question one: does it have feathers?

If yes — it's a fledgling. It left the nest on purpose. It's supposed to be on the ground. Songbird fledglings spend one to three days on the ground learning to fly. The parents are nearby and feeding it every twenty to forty minutes. You can't see them because they wait until you leave. This bird does not need rescue. Walk away.

If no — it's a nestling. It fell or was knocked from the nest. Look directly above for the nest. If you can see it and reach it, put the bird back. The parents will not reject it because you touched it — birds have a limited sense of smell. This is the one situation where handling the bird is the right move.

Question two: is it injured?

Visible blood. Drooping wing. Can't stand. Eyes closed and unresponsive. If any of these are true, the bird needs a wildlife rehabilitator. Place it in a paper bag or small box with air holes, keep it warm and dark, and call your nearest licensed rehabilitator. Do not give it food or water — incorrect feeding kills more baby birds than starvation does.

Question three: is there a cat nearby?

If a cat is present or known to be in the area, move the fledgling to a sheltered spot within thirty feet — under a dense shrub, on a low branch. The parents will find it by sound within an hour. Cats are the primary predator of grounded fledglings during spring.

The hardest part of finding a baby bird on the ground is doing nothing. Most of them are fledglings. Most of them are fine. The parents are watching you decide.

03/08/2026

09/04/2025

With cooler temperatures the birds have started moving through South Carolina! In the Charleston area many different species move South along the coast, traveling through the Lowcountry under the cover of night. Help these birds have a safe journey by turning off your lights!

Birds become confused and disoriented when flying through areas with lots of light pollution, like Charleston.

Let’s bring stars back to our night sky and help the birds on their journey.

Source: Audubon of South Carolina

06/08/2025

Happy Sunday Funday!

07/17/2023

Happy Sunday Funday

07/11/2023

How to Tuesday - Keeping Bird Seed Fresh and Healthy for the Birds
Fresh, top-quality seed and seed blends are the foundations for successful backyard bird feeding. Under normal storage and use conditions, seed will stay fresh and healthy for birds until it is completely consumed. However, unusually wet or humid weather conditions or periods of slow bird activity can potentially cause birdseed to deteriorate or spoil. The following recommendations will help to ensure that the seed you provide your birds will always be healthy and nutritious:
**Seed Storage Tips**
Always store your seed in a cool and dry location.
Store seed in rodent and insect proof containers.
If the seed containers are kept outdoors, secure the lids so that animals cannot get in and contaminate the seed.
Never mix old seed with new seed.
During periods of warm weather, store no more than a two-week supply of seed at a time.
Keep your bird feeders filled with a one or two day supply of seed to ensure it is eaten quickly and stays fresh.
Discard moldy, rancid or foul-smelling seed, because it can be a health hazard to birds.
A note about bird seed and bugs:
Any seed can become infested with grain moths and weevils. While this is not a preferable situation, it does not mean the seed is unfit for use. In fact, the insects will be eagerly consumed by many of the birds at your feeders.

Stop in and speak with one of our birding experts on how to keep your seed fresh and birds happy!