The scorching heat wave, which lasted for several days, had a dramatic impact on Bavaria’s largest bird sanctuary at Regenstauf in the Upper Palatinate: for the first time in the bird sanctuary’s 30-year history, entry was closed. Other reception centers in the Free State are currently doing the same.
“We are at the limit of our capabilities. We are constantly feeding. This is no longer possible,” said Ferdinand Baer, technical manager of the bird sanctuary in Regenstauf. Recently, so many birds arrived in need of help that the emergency brake had to be pulled to ensure optimal care for everyone.
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According to the nature conservation association LBV, extreme heat particularly affects species that live on or in buildings, such as swifts, house sparrows, house swallows and bats. Their areas, such as under eaves and in cracks, can quickly heat up – a death trap for young birds and young birds that they cannot leave on their own.
“Many young birds escape by jumping out into the open. But once they lay down on the ground, the adult birds usually don’t care about them and need immediate help,” Baer explained. That’s why the population is asking now. Anyone who discovers a young bird in need of help should, if possible, take care of it himself first. For these species, the LBV generally recommends that the animals be taken into the hands of experienced professionals or a rescue center as soon as possible, as caring for swifts and swallows is labor intensive and prone to error. Tips and more information can be found at: www.wildvogelhilfe.org.