Blue Tit Chicks All Died - Advice Wanted

Hi,

Did you notice what sort of food was being fed to the chicks?

Thanks for your reply. Not managed to watch all the footage back just yet, but it seemed to vary. Definitely caterpillars, but also other bits and pieces (presumably bits of fat balls and sunflower hearts that were in the feeders). I have read other posts in this forum stating that the chicks really do get the most nutritional value from caterpillars. Was there perhaps a lack of caterpillars in my area? 

Could be lack of natural food,yes. Chicks don’t drink, so need moisture in their diet. Bird feeders often don’t provide that kind of food.

Is there anything else I could differently next year, i.e. different types of food in the feeders?

You could try supplying live meal worms but would need a guardian feeder to stop bigger birds from taking them all!

you can soak dried mealworm in warm water for 30 mins and it will help with hydration but dont over fill the feeder as they will need changed more frequently to stop bacteria growth, make sure there are no whole peanuts in feed these are a choking hazard.

Unfortunately nature can be quite cruel and these things happen aslong as your box isnt painted with toxic paint and is predator safe and the food source is suitable for chicks theres not much else you can do

Thanks for the feedback everyone. That's really useful to know regarding soaking the mealworms (that's 100% something I'd be willing try next year). Is this a practice I could dry with other dry foods as well, e.g. sunflower hearts?

Sunflower hearts aren't suitable for young birds IMO. Young birds (in nest boxes for example) rely on parents to feed them caterpillars and insects. Anything else really isn't ideal.

Michael I have experienced the same this year. I have had a camera box for the past six years and have seen between six to eight blue tits fledge successfully each year. This year there were six eggs and five hatched. After a few days there was only three surviving chicks but a few days later those three died also. My daughter also thinks the same has happened to the chicks in her box (no camera), as after several days of watching birds going in to feed that activity suddenly stopped. I think my chicks hatched a bit earlier than usual so wonder if there has been sufficient live food for them as I have noticed fewer butterflies and caterpillars around. I provide mealworms, suet pellets, fat balls, bird seed and peanuts. I get excited each year watching the activity in my box so I am very sad and worried about the blue tits numbers this year. Has the RSPB got an official view on this?