animal lover.

After being cared for round-the-clock by Mrs. Madelaine Riederer, the tiny redbirds are thriving and will soon be ready to leave her home.

The Southampton resident was walking along the railway tracks near her home when she came across the two cardinals laying on the ground and covered in ants. Mrs. Redierer said the birds were about two weeks old. She had been observing their progress since birth.

When she found them they were still too young to leave the nest and would probably have died without help.

Knowing that there was no possible way to return the birds to their nest because it was up too high, Mrs. Riederer took them to her home to feed and care for them.

Now the little birds are chirping away, eating well and flying around. This is not the first time Mrs. Riederer has looked after abandoned birds.

The two eye-catching redbirds are the fifth set she has rescued in as many years. She keeps them in a big cage and feeds them pet store formula with an eye-dropper.

As soon as the baby cardinals can eat on their own and fly strongly, Mrs.

Riederer said she will let them go.

SAFE AND SOUND -- The two baby cardinals are held by Mrs. Madelaine Riederer who rescued them when they fell out of their nest. As soon as they are stronger Mrs. Riederer will let them go.