So, a couple of weeks ago I was taking down an oak tree, I rigged the top stem off and when the rope caught a earth/twig nest flew out with 4 (I think) magpie chicks. I could see them from up the tree on the ground. Always sad, but anyone who takes trees down all year round has seen this. I won't pretend I wouldn't have done it if I'd seen the nest, or stood there for a while to see if anything was visiting it. On this occasion however I hadn't seen it.
Three had already perished in the fall but one seemed ok, just sitting on the ground.
Now in the old days I might of euthanased it, it had no chance of being fed by its parents. Lately I tend to put it/them somewhere safe to see out its last few hours in relative peace.
So the neighbour (for whom I've worked before) picked it up and took it indoors, took some advice from the Internet re. Feeding, and so far so good, him and his wife have named it Mick and they give me regular updates.
His latest missive said he's full of character.