We have a nest box with a camera and, as in previous years, a pair of great tits nested. They laid 9 eggs, of which 8 hatched. One chick died the next day, the other 7 survived for about 3 days, then died one by one over the next 5 days. I noticed that the parents, who were feeding very regularly, were often bringing large flies - perhaps hawthorn flies - and I wonder if that was the only food they could find. In the nights after the chicks hatched, we had frosts so perhaps there was simply insufficient food.
Has anyone had a similar experience, or any ideas on what may have gone wrong?
Hello James, and welcome to the forum.
I'm so sorry about your great tit brood. What a shame. I can't answer your question although I'm sure some of the others on the forum will be able to.
Cheers, Linda.
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Just an update - I cleaned the nest box out yesterday and the tits are busy building a new nest. It will be interesting to see whether they complete it and, if so, whether they can raise another brood.
I'm glad your great tits are building again. I would agree with you that the frosts probably had an effect on the food source, and also the chicks may have got cold.
Hi James,
sorry to hear about the first brood. But the good news is they haven't wasted much time before trying again.
Fingers crossed the weather stays milder now then :o)