If you enjoy going for hikes, you know that you can come across some unexpected things along the way. I know I have. I make it a point to walk the trails near my home at least a few times a week, and I’ve witnessed some truly strange sights and sounds.

But recently, a man in Peterborough, UK had an encounter that was truly extraordinary. As he cleared a tree line and reached the top of a hollow, he spotted what he initially thought were hundreds of tennis balls scattered on the forest floor. It was a peculiar sight, especially considering the surrounding scenery.

Curiosity got the best of him, and he approached to get a closer look. To his surprise, those “tennis balls” were actually living creatures! It turned out that he had stumbled upon a large group of chicks, no more than a day old.

Sadly, it seems that someone had left these helpless creatures to perish, not realizing that someone might stumble upon them while they were still alive. Fortunately, the authorities were alerted and promptly arrived at the scene. The chicks were carefully gathered and placed in crates to ensure their rescue.

I’ve been hiking for years, and I’ve never encountered something like this. Have you? Share your experiences in the comments below.