Blue Tit abandoned nest (1 Viewer)

[Hayley chitlon]

HI, We, for the last three years have had a pair of blue tits in our nestbox. This year we once again started seeing a pair coming and going throughout April and into May. From the regularity she was leaving the nest I would say the chicks were born abut 10 days ago. Five days ago I saw a Starling who was getting very close to the box and sitting at the fence near it and swooping very close to box entry. 3 days ago the birds have disappeared. No sign of either parent and im guessing the chicks will still be inside and probably dead. Is there anything I can do - I keep praying that one of the parents will come back but given no sight do I assume they arent returning and I should get rid of the chicks before they decay> We are very sad as love watching the chicks as they get older peer out of the whole and then make their step into the big wide world.

 

[Kits]

Welcome to Birdforum. I’d wait a couple more days and if still no sign of the parents, then clear the nest.

 

[SteveK]

I have 2 Blue Tit bird boxes in my garden and both have been very active until one I noticed did not have the parents going in.
I waited and watched but after a few days I took the box down and looked into it and its empty,
It has lots of black droppings in it, and I wanted to know if the chicks have fledged or simply been killed as the other box is still very active and I can hear the young chicks still. Its a mystery what has ahppend to the other box, can anyone enlighten me please?

 

[delia todd]

Hi Steve and a warm welcome to you from all the Staff and Moderators. Unfortunately, black droppings sounds like it might be rats?

Does it look anything like this:






I'm sure you will enjoy it here and I look forward to hearing your news.