If you go out hiking regularly, chances are you’ll stumble across some pretty unexpected things here and there.

I know I do. For the past few years I’ve made a habit of trying to walk the trails close by my home at least two or three times per week. In the process I’ve come across some strange sights, sounds, and smells, let me tell you.

That said, I’ve never experienced anything quite like one man who was out wandering in Peterborough, UK when he met with a scene that would have given anyone pause for thought…

After clearing a tree line and emerging on the ridge of a hollow, the man in question spotted what he believed to be hundreds of tennis balls all clustered together on the forest floor.

Now, to say they stuck out given the scenery is an understatement, and our surprised hiker decided to get nearer for a closer look.

When he did, he realized they weren’t tennis balls at all, but rather living creatures!

Somewhat incredibly, it turned out he had stumbled upon a large number of chicks – and the birds couldn’t have been hatched much longer than a day.

Sadly, the general consensus online is that an individual – or individuals – had left the chicks there to die, not for one moment thinking someone would come across them while they were still alive.

Needless to say, the authorities were soon called to the scene of the bizarre find, and the birds were all loaded into crates so that they could be rescued.

I’ve definitely never seen anything like this while out wandering, have you? Let us know in the comments box.