Abandoned blue tit chick - help please

Ellecor · #1 (**permalink**) 25-05-2009, 05:19 PM

We've had chicks in a nesting box all this week and until today, the mum was coming every few minutes to feed them. I didn't see the mum at all this morning and watched the box for a good couple of hours on and off. We've been out most of the day. I came back a while ago and could see a chick poking it's head out of the box making A LOT of noise. I saw it jump out of the box and it was wandering around the garden squeaking a lot. I haven't seen the mum at all today and there don't seem to be any more chicks in the box.

There are a lot of cats and magpies around so I stayed with the chick and it seemed to follow me around and came right up to me. I went to a neighbour for help and they lifted it (with gloves) and put it back in the nesting box. This was about an hour ago. I still haven't seen the mum anywhere in sight and I'm really worried it won't survive.

It had full feathers and seemed healthy - certainly made a lot of noise. It was trying to fly but just seemed to jump a few steps.

Please help - what should I do? Should I try and put some food through the hole?

Jenny W · #2 (**permalink**) 25-05-2009, 05:31 PM

It sounds like it's fledging. If so it will leave the box again. It will fly weakly at first but will soon build up strength. I wouldn't worry

Ellecor · #3 (**permalink**) 25-05-2009, 05:38 PM

Can't help worrying though

. Should I be concerned that he's on his own and the mum doesn't seem to be anywhere around?

Jenny W · #4 (**permalink**) 25-05-2009, 05:44 PM

The chick will spend the rest of the summer and the winter moving around feeding in a flock with other tit species. I would have thought the adults would be around somewhere. It should be able to feed itself pretty soon after leaving the nest.

Ellecor · #5 (**permalink**) 25-05-2009, 05:48 PM

Thank you. I'll keep an eye on it. It hasn't made an attempt to come out of the nest again since we put it back earlier.

Ellecor · #6 (**permalink**) 26-05-2009, 10:26 AM

Well still no sign of any mum or dad near the nest. I went to have a look this morning and although I can't see in, there is no sound from within. I think it died

My five year old is very upset (as am I). Should I take the box down and clear it out?