Found a grounded swift, swallow or house martin

It's not unusual for these birds to leave their nests too early before they're able to fly properly. Young swifts, swallows and house martins that leave their nests too soon may not be able to fly properly and can crash-land. They'll then be unable to take off again from the ground. Adult birds may also be on the ground if they're sick or injured.

Bird flu warning

Due to the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) currently in place across the UK, some baby birds can't be handled. Please follow our bird flu and baby birds advice to check which species can be handled and what to do.

Bird flu and baby birds advice

Found a bird on the ground

If you find a swift, swallow or house martin on the ground, you should get them looked at by a professional to find out the cause.

Place them in a secure cardboard box with ventilation holes and line them with a towel or newspaper. Once they're safe, call a wildlife rehabilitator for the best course of action.

Who to contact about a swift, swallow or house martin

Swift Conservation shares a list of swift carers on their website.

The best and quickest thing you can do to help an injured bird is to take it to a vet.

Always wear gloves, eye protection and a mask when handling birds due to Avian Flu, and be sure to wash hands afterwards. If you’re worried or unsure, ask a friend or neighbour to give you a hand.

Find out more

Find a wildlife rehabilitator

We have four wildlife centres located in Cheshire, East Sussex, Norfolk and Somerset.

Living with wildlife

We've put together a series of guides designed to help you live happily alongside a range of wildlife species commonly found in houses and gardens across England and Wales.