The charity Manx Wild Bird Aid (MWBA) has taken to its social media pages to share advice on how to help baby doves and pigeons.

The charity, which rehabilitates sick, injured or orphaned wild birds and returns them to the wild, said: ’The songbirds may have stopped breeding for the year, but the doves and pigeons are still going.

’It’s a tough time of year for the babies - lack of vitamin D from sunshine means they often develop metabolic bone disease - this means that their bones are soft and weak, making the babies unable to fly or even walk without pain.

’ They jump out of the nest but end up grounded, sometimes with broken legs, and are defenceless against cats and dogs.’ They added: ’Even if their parents are still around, they need help or they won’t survive.

’Most make a full recovery if hand-reared with the correct diet and supplements.’

Upon first seeing a bird stuck on the ground, it may be the instinct of many to let nature take its course, assuming that the bird will be able to get up again on its own, however MWBA have advised against this.

They said: ’We have had sad cases where people took a "wait and see" approach to an injured baby pigeon in their garden and unfortunately by the time they contacted us for help the bird’s wounds were infected, infested with maggots and there was no way of saving them.

’Unlike songbirds, baby pigeons and doves should be able to fly right away when they leave the nest.

’If they can’t, something is wrong and they need help.’

MWBA do not yet have their own premises, so the birds are presently all cared for and released in the homes and gardens of volunteers.

If you are concerned for a bird’s welfare or would like to donate to the charity, you can contact the MWBA directly via their Facebook page or website, at: www.wildbirdaid.com/contact-us/