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Sadly this is quite a common occurrence, the death of one parent or interference from animals or humans can cause desertion. The fact that one parent is still around, however and providing food, leads me to suggest that this worthwhile leaving be for the time being, as interference may cause complete desrtion. We recommend that old nests be removed in the autumn, from August onwards once the birds have stopped using the box.Have a look at some good cat deterrents here:http://www.rspb.org.uk/advice/gardening/unwantedvisitors/cats/catdeterrents.aspx
We have found the Spikes that fix on the top of fences do not work, netting or chicken wire fixed at an angle along the length of the fence works, as the cat cannot jump over it or jump up as the angle stops it from being able to climb over, you may have to experiment with the angle, but it has worked for us so far.
Garlic or chilli powder, dried chillies or lollypop sticks dipped in citrus oil also helps deter cats from the garden, not the determined ones though, only this morning at 4.30 I was chasing our neighbours cat in the pouring rain, it had a baby blackbird, happy outcome, I caught it and rescued it, not so for it's siblings, the cat went back to the nest and has taken every single one. I think it's time the law was changed and we should follow Australia, New Zealand and parts of America, they value their wildlife and domestic cats have to be kept indoors, any cats found out are taken in and their owners are given a fine, it would certainly be a start to improving our wild bird population.
Hi Nic I'm sorry but the RSPB are very wrong with their standard advice of leaving nest boxes til autumn to be cleaned out. I understand why they say this to stop ppl who maybe don't understand that disturbing nesting birds can lead to abandonment of eggs or chicks. In your case you MUST empty the box if you're certain the chicks inside are dead. It's not nuclear physics to determine that sadly this has happened. If they're not fed for over a day or two small birds will die.
Small nestbox using birds like tits will NOT use the same nesting materials ever again. In your case you'll have dead chicks inside which will attract flies and is not at all hygienic to birds or humans!
My advice is ALWAYS to thoroughly clean out nestboxes as soon as it becomes empty and all living young have fledged. That way you stand a good chance of the box being used again before end of the breeding reason as all small garden birds want a totally clean nest box to start afresh!