Nest box of dead Blue Tits chicks (1 Viewer)

[sunguy]

Hi Members,

Looking for some advice as this morning we looked at our six blue tit chicks and all look to be dead! yesterday the chicks were feeding and quite energetic, both mum and dad were in attendance with lots of grubs being feed to the chicks. Chicks were approx 10 days old and up till this morning were doing fine, need to know what's gone wrong.

Purpose built nest box is high up under the eves on the north side of the bungalow with camera top mounted, nest box is on the shady side of the house so don't suspect overheating as temperatures are quite moderate. Bird feeders in the garden (nuts seeds etc) not far from the box (also visited by Pigeon's and many wild birds as we live out in the sticks in Hampshire, nest box has enjoyed previous success (and failures):

2013: unoccupied
2012: dead chicks
2011: 5 chicks fledged successfully
2010: Nest box installed

Need to know what's gone wrong and if there is anything I'm doing wrong,


Many thanks in advance.

Colin

 

[stonechat1]

Hi Colin- welcome at Birdforum!
There are different reports in the "Bird Ringing and Bird Bird Banding"- group of the social network "FB" with the same problem. All of them from countries where feeding during summer is common and popular.
There are also studies that feeding into the breeding season is NOT adviced and effects a less breeding success of the birds.
I already posted a few days ago the question: How is it possible that our birds here in Middle Europe are surviving and breeding succesfully though nobody is feeding them the whole year?".
I didn´t get an answer.
On the other hand it´s also worth to note that from countries where feeding the whole year is common are significant more reports of birds with change in colour of their plumage than in other countries.