One chick left.... (1 Viewer)

[Tasha47]

Hi, I posted earlier in the week saying the blue tits in our nesting box were still going strong, and after plenty of sticking heads out and shouting mum & dad for food.... 5 finally fledged this lunch time!! Yaaaay! However, there is 1 left in there and both parent are still (8 hours on) trying to tempt it out.
Now, I don't have a camera box because if I can't intervene at any point, then I don't want to see inside, it would break my heart.
Can anyone advise me on this please? The chick is big enough the see through the hole, and the parents obviously think it's ready, but he won't fledge.... maybe he's stuck? He's very loud so can't be that weak.... help!

Tasha x

 

[Kits]

He won’t be stuck. He’ll go when he’s ready.

 

[delia todd]

Hi again Tasha

It does seem strange though, as they normally all go within an hour or so, so that does seem a rather long time. I think probably it's too late tonight, so hopefully he'll go first thing in the morning.

BTW I've moved your post to a rather more suitable forum.

 

[Tasha47]

Hi again Tasha

It does seem strange though, as they normally all go within an hour or so, so that does seem a rather long time. I think probably it's too late tonight, so hopefully he'll go first thing in the morning.

BTW I've moved your post to a rather more suitable forum.

Ohhh thanks so much, which one is best to ask advice on please? X

 

[delia todd]

Ohhh thanks so much, which one is best to ask advice on please? X

I've moved it to the Nest Box forum, the best place I think Tasha.

 

[Tasha47]

I've moved it to the Nest Box forum, the best place I think Tasha.

Oh... didn't see that lol. Yes indeed that is more appropriate thank you x

 

[Tasha47]

Hi again Tasha

It does seem strange though, as they normally all go within an hour or so, so that does seem a rather long time. I think probably it's too late tonight, so hopefully he'll go first thing in the morning.

BTW I've moved your post to a rather more suitable forum.

There's actually two fully developed chicks in there.

 

[PYRTLE]

Sadly, this is the cruel side of nature.....any weaker young that cannot follow their slightly bolder and stronger siblings out of the nest tend to be left behind whilst the parents feed and concentrate on those that have fledged, hence the term " survival of the fittest ". There maybe a slim chance of the remaining two leaving tomorrow as Kits suggests but its likely they haven't been fed for a while and with the cooler overnight temperatures their condition can deteriate quickly. The rest of the family may have roosted nearby luck willing.

 

[Tasha47]

Sadly, this is the cruel side of nature.....any weaker young that cannot follow their slightly bolder and stronger siblings out of the nest tend to be left behind whilst the parents feed and concentrate on those that have fledged, hence the term " survival of the fittest ". There maybe a slim chance of the remaining two leaving tomorrow as Kits suggests but its likely they haven't been fed for a while and with the cooler overnight temperatures their condition can deteriate quickly. The rest of the family may have roosted nearby luck willing.

Oh that really is devastating! They both look so healthy. The thought of their deterioration alone is truly heartbreaking... but thanks for the advice x

 

[Tasha47]

Success!! After fretting overnight that the two remaining chicks hadn't made it, I checked the (worryingly silent) nest this morning and both have fledged!
7 bluetits fledglings!!! I'm absolutely made up!
Thanks everyone for all the advice and stories... really made my year!! Xx

 

[Kits]

Thanks for the update. Glad I was right! Maybe you’ll see them being fed in your garden.

 

[Tasha47]

Thanks for the update. Glad I was right! Maybe you’ll see them being fed in your garden.

You were spot on!! Thanks so much for all the info! I'll keep an eye out but I think they're in all the river bank trees now at the end of the garden x