birds nest

[blackfish]

I accidently put my hand near a birds nest and the mother flew out .there were two babies there. We never saw the mother go near them again .We think one baby died ,then the other one.However about a week later we saw a bird sitting in the nest. Would it be the same one having laid more eggs on top of the dead chicks

[alisonscott]

she would have thrown any dead chicks out and relaid

[wildwood]

Next time you see the nest vacant, have a peep in it. I wouldn't be surprised if the chicks are still there. Birds can spend an amazingly long time off their babies as long as the chicks are a few days old at least. Birds approach their nest at various angles and if you are in close vicinity they will just wait until you are gone. If the birds have abandoned the nest (and chicks) because of the disturbance they will most likely build somewhere else and a different bird has now claimed the nest.

[alfieblue]

we had the same problem - dead chicks after a storm - but the parents came back (blackbirds) and laid again. We now have a pet blackbird called yellow beak!! He is quite a character and very tame!!! He has quite a family!!!

On another note - we had robins nesting for the first time. One chick - such a sweet thing - but unfortunately neighbours cat got it!!! V upsetting! However, they are nesting again, so fingers crossed this time!!