Nature is SO cruel

[KRUSTYMAN]

I am so upset, unbelievably so for a grown man. Some of you may remember my 'boring report' the other day when I told how chuffed I was to have a pair of Robins hatch 5 chicks in a nest box I was on the verge of tearing down because it had never been used? The 5 chicks were extremely fit and healthy yesterday (they should be too the amount of fresh meal worms I've been putting out for the parents to fatten them up with) and still a few days away from fledging. Well unfortunately I got up this morning and looked into the garden only to find the adult birds flying here there and everywhere with food in their beaks - it was puzzling but I left them to it thinking they were looking for yet more food. Eventually, I got the idea that something wasn't right and went out to check the nest box only to find it completely empty! I don't know what took them, magpie or squirrel but I can tell you how sad it has been to watch the parents search all day long for their young - it's pitiful and I can only hope they'll lay more eggs but I couldn't blame them if they deserted my nest box in favour of somewhere safer.

[radiogaga]

awww sorry to hear that krustyman.
its hard not to become attached to those little ones that come into our garden.

[Lakitu]

Aww, I didn't see the original post, but I'm really sorry this is how it turned out.

You're still human, of course this will pull your heart strings xx

[Jules001]

awww Krustyman I really feel for you as I know I get very attached to my birds in my garden. Nature does seem cruel, but whatever took the chicks is only following it's own instinct and maybe has young of it's own to feed - doesn't make you feel any less upset about it I know, but when you can look at it like that then you can maybe understand why.

[bensmum]

That's really sad krustyman but unfortunately it happens only too often. I read somewhere that only about 25% of baby birds make it to adulthood which is horrible. It could have been a squirrel, rats or other birds who took the young but your pair may have another brood.

[alfieblue]

Oh - im sorry. We had robins nesting in the garden for the first time ever and they reared 1 little chick. They worked so hard to feed it and eventually is came out of the nesting box but was just about ready for that. It sat in a little bush or under the plants, while the parents carried on looking after it. Cudnt fly very well at this point. Even pup was warned off by the parents if he so much as got 1 metre near to the chick! It was such a sweet pea - but unfortunately - it was taken - we think through the nite by cat or something. Little bundle of feathers found outside.

The robins started building another nest in another nesting box but think they gave up and left - havnt seen them since.

Such is nature - but still upsetting.

[yogasun]

Oh, KRUSTYMAN, we would have been so upset if that had happened in our garden. Let's hope your Robins build another nest and have another brood somewhere else perhaps.

[KRUSTYMAN]

UPDATE - Purely by luck we found one of the chicks hiding among some flower pots this afternoon. Rather than put it back in its box we moved it so that its parents could see it and hoped for the best. Luckily they have started feeding it and with a bit more luck it might survive if it can stay hidden and the parents continue to feed it. Its currently bouncing around the garden like a miniature kangaroo and keeping my hopes alive.

[alfieblue]

Oh! thats wonderful news!!! Hope the little 'un makes it.
Fingers crossed :o)

[yogasun]

Great!! That was a good posting to read. Fingers crossed
that all continues to go well!!

[madboutcats]

fingers crossed from me too that baby makes it

[alfieblue]

Dear krustyman - I felt for you when you posted the reply re the mindless cruel thugs who started the fire in the blue tits nest.
How cruel they were, and I know there are very many horrific stories where a brand of species (won't call them human beings) have no regard for life - whether it be bird, animal, child etc etc.

I'm sure there are far more wonderful people in this world than bad - and we must not let the bad intimidate us.

Lets all look to the future and enjoy doing our bit. - you are clearly very passionate re nature and also all other subjects. Please don't get downhearted.

The cruelty, disrespect for any sort of life, property etc etc is a big problem - I hope one day it will change for the better.

Ps - How is your little robin chick doing??? Hope the little baby is thriving.

[yogasun]

Well said alfieblue, we have to stay positive and remember it's a mindless minority.

[LoftyLottie]

Oh dear, Krustyman, I would have been as devastated and as upset as you are, but at least they still have one little robin. I hope it survived and is thriving.

Nature can be seen to be cruel, but it is not really. It
is heartbreaking at times, but at least the animals motive is survival. Human beings are the only cruel species on this earth.

[KRUSTYMAN]

Still clinging to hope! Haven't seen the chick about but the parents are still together so theres still an outside chance that it's hiding somewhere. The next couple of days will tell, I'm keeping a close watch out and if it has survived it will stay close to the parents for a while, I'll keep you posted. Re: all of your kind messages - many thanks though I'm still not convinced about the future and I'm usually a 'glass is half full' kind of guy!