Help please - we have a nesting box with great tits .

  1. Can great tit babies survive with only one parent feeding as sadly we suspect our cat has caught one of the parents ? We know there are babies as we have heard them and seen the parents popping in and out . We were successful last year and box is situated high up so  guessing the tit popped down to search for food . Not happy with our cat but would do our best to help the birds if we can
  • Sorry to to read about one of the parents, this happens, whether it is a cat, a bigger bird or other. One parent can raise a brood, I think the older they are the better. Parents have to feed an awful lot in a day, so extra feeding would help.

    Firstly do not be tempted to go near the nest, apart from the fact that it is an offence, you do not want to spook the parent. The chicks need good nourishment, the parent will bring bugs and beasties but you could throw out some sunflower hearts, or either soaked dried mealworms, you get them in bags, (500g)? soak them in water for a while or live ones, if you can handle them, they can be bought online. Scatter a good distance from the nest, the parent will find them. It may work, it may not, the parent may find it tough to bring up the chicks on its own, it may abandon the nest? Sadly this is nature and we have to take the good with the bad. Hope you get on okay and keep us posted. I will have a google and see what I can find.

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  • Thanks so much for the help I shall definitely help the parent with extra feeds - would be great to see them fledge