The RSPB receive hundreds of calls around this time every year from concerned members of the public who have found baby birds in their garden, and the wildlife charity is encouraging people not to intervene and to leave young birds where they are.

Adam McClure, Conservation Coordinator for RSPB NI explains: "Many garden birds leave the nest before they can actually fly and may spend up to several days hopping around on the ground. Although it may seem that the chick has been abandoned, chances are that the parents are close by, and they will continue to feed the young bird until it develops its flight feathers. Even when they can fly, the chick will continue to follow the adults for a few weeks learning what food to eat, where to find it, what poses a threat and where is suitable to roost at night.

"If there is an immediate danger posed to the chick, such as a major road, it should be moved to the nearest cover, but close enough, that should the parents return, they can hear the chick calling for them.

"One of the major concerns which people have, is the vulnerability of young birds when cats are in the area. The best thing people can do is to remove cats from the equation by keeping them indoors, or to chase them away. If this isn't an option, the young bird should be placed on top of a hedge, or shed out of reach of the cat," he continued.

"People contact us on a regular basis, wanting us to come out and collect baby birds, but the best thing people can do in many cases is to leave the baby bird exactly where it is. Many people intervene with the best of intentions, but they can actually end up doing more harm than good by removing the bird from the wild as they inadvertently deny them the essential skills they require to survive on their own."