Jackdaw drops in and stays put

A conservationist has been hand-rearing a jackdaw that fell down a chimney into her home.

Miss Sara Chadd has been nurturing the bird after it fell from her bathroom chimney.

She said about 20 jackdaws had made their homes in chimneys at her home on Old Great North Road, North Muskham, after nearby sycamore trees were felled.

She has been feeding the jackdaw milk and bread but would move on to egg and worms as it grew.

Miss Chadd said that after the bird had learnt to fly she hoped it would return to the flock.

She said: “I imagine he will continue to live around here. I imagine I will have to leave a window open.

“I feel very honoured that he has managed to survive with me and I have managed to help.”

Miss Chadd said it was the first time she had hand-reared a wild bird. She kept it separate from kittens she had in the house.

The bird is so tame it sits on Miss Chadd’s shoulder, but she wanted the jackdaw to feel free to leave and join the rest of the flock.

Miss Chadd said the loss of trees was having an effect on wildlife in the area.

“The removal of ancient habitat is having a devastating effect on our countryside and wildlife.

“If you look around Nottinghamshire you are hard put to identify many trees over 50 years-old anywhere.”