Blue Tits

[Barbara Jane]

The Blue Tits have just completed their first family of this year! I wasn't able to look in to see how many babies there were, but I think by the noise I heard outiside the bird box, there must have been three or four.I was busting to look inside, but I resisted, knowing that I probably would scare the parents off. I still haven'y got my camera inside the box, this winter would have been a good time but with the early Spring, I was caught out. However I will do it this year and enjoy the nest making egg laying from inside our house.

What now? Do I clean out the bird box, or is there a chance that they may return to bring up another family?

Love to know?

Barbara Jane

[Barbara Jane]

I opened the bird box this morning to see how dirty it was inside and to my horror found four dead babies inside.

What has happened? I have asked my neighbours and one said that the Hoopoes, that I love so much, do poke their long beaks into trees and cracks to seek out food. Could they have done this or have the tits caught some awful disease, or was it me getting too near to the box. I really can't understand.

Anyone have any ideas?

Barbara Jane

[Lizzielady]

This happened tome last year. We had watched the toing and froing of the parent birds for several days. We had to go away for a week and knew that the babies would probably fledge during that time. When we came back, we watched for a few days and then as there was no activity decided to have a look. Like you we found 6 fully fledged babies dead all with their heads up. I was heartbroken. I contacted the RSPB and that said it was probably due to the sudden drop in temperature which affects the supply of food (insects and larvae) meaning the parents cant find food for the babies. We have had another sharp drop in temperature over the past week havent we, so perhaps that is the reason you have lost yours Barbara. Sad isnt it?

[Barbara Jane]

Hi Lizzielady

Sorry to see you had the same misfortune. I have been asking one and all and my neighbour suggested it could have been that the small hole in front of the bird box was too high up and the babies weren't able to get out? I find this rather doubtful myself, but would be glad of any opinions before next year. I did't get my box from the RSPB but whilst I was on holiday last year.

Barbara Jane

[PiratesAhoy!]

Unlikely to be the hold too far up in the box. Sadly it's more likely that the parents couldn't find enough food, or abandoned the nest for some reason - predators, lack of food.. There could be a multitude of different reasons.

It's also possible that there were more in the brood - blue tits can have clutches of 9 on occasion, and some of those might not have been fed particularly well by the parents, and became the runts. It's possible that some fledged and left the nest, while the others did not thrive and were not able to leave.

Either way, it's very sad when it happens

[Barbara Jane]

Thanks PirateAhoy, I feel a little bit better now, 'cause somehow I thought it was ALL my fault and it was really worrying me. Now I do see that there are quite a few other possibilities. So roll on next season when the camera is in place and I can relax

Barbara Jane

[Lizzielady]

Hi Barbara You can always log on to the RSPB site and their link"contact us", they are more than happy to provide you with answers and advice, even if you arent a member

[Barbara Jane]

Thanks Lizzielady Will do

Barbara Jane

[70007]

I think all this cold wet weather (in the southwest at least) has probably led to a lot of dead chicks, especially tits. I noticed that the local coal tits were content to search for food on the leaves of bushes and trees until recently, but as soon as it turned cold and cloudy there was a sudden change to my black sunflower feeders.

It may just be coincidence, but I dont think so. Yesterday there was hardly 30 seconds went by when a coal tit was not grabbing a seed, and they only stay for a second or so. At the same time we had an inch of rain, so the poor things must run the risk of not surviving themselves.

It is at times like this that we can feel so helpless

[louise_s_parker]

our blue tit box has been dislodged by a horrible cat. i saw it on the garage just after i noticed to box had moved. the birds are still in and out like crazy today so i just hope the babies fledge before the box falls. i am so scared for them.