I have had great tit parents going in and out of the nesting box for more than a few weeks now,(I didn't think they were actually using it at first). On Tuesday I saw a bird pop its head up through the hole and yesterday morning both parents were seen in my garden before I left for work. When I came home yesterday afternoon there was no sign of the parents and I haven't seen them since not even at the bird feeder. Do you think the chicks fledged while I was away or have they all died? How long should I leave it before opening up the box and cleaning it out?
Hi Livilass welcome to the forum.
With it being the weekend and you can keep an eye on it tomorrow can leave it while Sunday and if you don't see them visiting the box you could have a look then, you could clean it out then just in case there are any dead chicks in the box.
Regards Alan
My photos are on Flickr and Website
Hi,
Just thought I would give you an up date on my nest box. I saw the parents in the garden but they weren't going any where near the next box so I opened it up today. Inside was an empty nest and there were the remains of a tiny chick which I don't think survived very long. Both parents have been at the feeder today and they looked like they were breaking up food and taking the mealworms I had put out and then flying up into a tree not far from my house. I am thinking about buying a web cam for the box next year. Many thanks for the advice.
Regards.
Liz.
Hi Liz
Good to hear you only found one, i found five dead in mine.
A word of warning on camera boxes have a read here, it's not all good watching.www.rspb.org.uk/.../77933.aspx