I had chickadee lay 6 eggs and they hatched, no problem. I worry about them all the time so I checked box Thursday night, everything great. Went back out Friday afternoon, hatchlings gone! Nest intact nothing strewed anywhere. I searched around nest box and couldn't find anything. Sunday afternoon I saw something on ground and looked closer and it was one of the hatchlings. It was about 10 to 15 ft away from nest box. It did not look injured at all just dead. I can not figure out what happened. Did mama relocate them because I would peep in box daily? If it was sparrows or wrens wouldn't babies be dead inside box and another nest being built? I have had anxiety over this for 3 days now. Any advice on what could have happened?
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No sleep for me! (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Pampro
- Start date
Hi Pampro. I disagree with kits whose response is a little harsh without much back up of evidence for such a statement!? It’s allowed to look in the nest, under certain guidelines and it doesn’t make Momma bird abandon nest. I quote from British Trust of Ornithology:
Welcome to the British Trust for Ornithology | BTO - British Trust for Ornithology › projects › ho...
Is it OK to look in a nest box?
As with boxes, it is perfectly safe to monitor these nests, provided you strictly follow the guidelines below. Scientific studies have shown that, as long as observers are careful and follow the BTO's guidance, making several visits to a nest to record the contents does not increase the probability of it failing.
Anyhoo, I understand the anxiety it causes at such a distressing thing to have happened. Really heartbreaking. It was tragic when I lost 3 who died huddled together in the nest last year. i can’t answer what happened to your chicks and why they would be outside? You can contact a wildlife aid and ask their helpline and maybe get some answers from an expert there?
Just one obvious observation, the hole in the nest box isn’t too big for predators to get to the chicks? I’m sure you know but just checking it has to be 25mm, quite small? Sorry I can’t help otherwise. But keep providing a home for our wildlife and don’t get disheartened. Blesses…
Welcome to the British Trust for Ornithology | BTO - British Trust for Ornithology › projects › ho...
How to monitor nests | BTO - British Trust for Ornithology
Is it OK to look in a nest box?
As with boxes, it is perfectly safe to monitor these nests, provided you strictly follow the guidelines below. Scientific studies have shown that, as long as observers are careful and follow the BTO's guidance, making several visits to a nest to record the contents does not increase the probability of it failing.
Anyhoo, I understand the anxiety it causes at such a distressing thing to have happened. Really heartbreaking. It was tragic when I lost 3 who died huddled together in the nest last year. i can’t answer what happened to your chicks and why they would be outside? You can contact a wildlife aid and ask their helpline and maybe get some answers from an expert there?
Just one obvious observation, the hole in the nest box isn’t too big for predators to get to the chicks? I’m sure you know but just checking it has to be 25mm, quite small? Sorry I can’t help otherwise. But keep providing a home for our wildlife and don’t get disheartened. Blesses…
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