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down to 3 from 8 now, they have now all died

I have just seen the death of yet another chick, we are now down to 3 from 8, first thing today I had 4 equal sized chicks all being fed,

when mum got off them to leave the nest one chick got knocked about by the other 3 and ended up being sat on, when mum came in to feed them it couldnt get up from below, during the frenzie, it got trampled on and knocked all around the floor, it is now lying dead in the same condition as the one yesterday, its head is turned totaly back as though its neck is broken, I know its nature and we perhaps shouldnt be spying but i'm becoming heartbroken by what im seeing

  • Hi Mo, yes it is very sad to see but Mother Nature has her reasons no doubt. Hopefully the other surviving chicks will be able to grow strong and fledge, fingers crossed.

    Rob.

    Feed The Birds....not the cats!!!!

    I know....my spelling's crap !!

  • one of the 3 remaining chicks began to look weaker than the others yesterday and last night wasnt being fed as often as the other two this morning it is dead, these remaining to are being fed every 10 mins or so, so not all hope as gone but its very hard watching just 2 chicks when there were 8,

  • I have seen these cameras for bird boxes and always thought my wife would enjoy watching the chicks....

    I think thanks to your updates that I will just enjoy seeing the birds flying and feeding around my garden.

    Sorry you had to see this but many thanks for your honesty :-)

    Mitch

  • Like others have said it seems a great idea to be sitting in your home watching your new little family down the bottom of the garden until the real world hits you and you find out first hand that its a tough life for every little creature out there.

    Its why they have so many chicks to start with to give them at least a chance of getting one to adulthood which by the way most dont even manage that (sorry).

    Lets hope no more little lives lost for you.

     Chris S

    A very old Shropshire Lad.

  • This box was my christmas present from my hubby in 2009 so I have waited along time for this, think we all have watched springwatch and seen that these stories don't always have a happy ending, I didn't go into this with a fluffy notion that all would be well, I have read so many posts on many different forums of the things that go wrong and also seen when things can go well, but nothing could have prepared me for such losses

    everyone has to decide for themselves if it's something they would like to do, the pleasure of watching has certainly gone now for me, some people have suggested I just stop watching now but I have to see it through to the end

    will I do it again next year...yes I think I will,

  • Hi Mo, I have only just joined but had to say hello when I read about your little blue tits, I have just been through the same thing with great tits and they have all gone including the mum. We had to go away for four days and had already lost some babies before we left but I was hopeful that when we came back things would be looking better for the remaining ones, but it was not to be. I have asked on the site what could have gone wrong, it is so upsetting as you know, but I am thinking of last year when we had six little chicks that fledged and it was a really wonderful experience. We will be doing it again hopefully next year and I hope you do too and have better luck. But there is still time for your remaining chicks to do well, I really hope they do. Polly

  • We had nine house sparrow chicks .. 48hrs later, there are just five .. a cat just took one in the garden whilst I was having lunch .. not a thing I could do, happened in seconds. The sad thing was, the bird simply didn't react, didn't realise the cat was a threat.

    One of the most incredible stats I saw was from the BTO .. They reckon they never see 90% of the chicks they ring ever again.

    Ant

    "IT IS SAID THAT LIFE FLASHES BEFORE YOUR EYES BEFORE YOU DIE. THAT IS TRUE, IT'S CALLED LIVING."
    Death - Terry Pratchett (The Last Continent).

  • Monday 16th May, exactly one week today since the last egg hatched and now all 8 chicks have died

  • So sorry to read about this, what a horrible start to your week.  Probably inexperienced parents, you will probably get older and wiser birds next time and all will be well.  Take heart.

    Cas

  • HAD SOME FINCHES IN A BIRD HOUSE IN THE GARDEN FOR THE FIRST TIME, WHICH WAS BRILLIANT BUT NOW THEY HAVE STOPPED FEEDING THE CHICKS AND DONT GO NEAR THE BOX DO NOT KNOW WHY BUT DO NOT LIKE IT FOUND ONE DEAD CHICK ON THE PATH THIS MORNING ANY SUGGESTIONS  PLEASE  ???