Post by WildlifePaul on Apr 11, 2020 12:05:33 GMT
Hmmm,
Maybe she was killed by a bird of prey or something?
This happened to one of my BT's in 2018, Fully built nest laid 1 egg then suddenly disappeared.
I could only put it down to being killed sadly, Luckily I had another BT nest so I didn't miss out but these things do happen.
These little birds are so vulnerable while collecting material if something is watching them!
I don't think the cat going close to the box would be enough to totally put her off, I am saying this because my cats go so close to my tree box every year and its never put the birds off even when seeing it happen.
During the early stages of building I just let things go on as normal in the garden really, If the birds think its unsafe to nest I let them find out early into building so its easy for them to move on.
Then if it doesn't put them off and we get into more serious building I start letting cats out during evening instead, I mainly do this around feeding chicks stage.
I think the only time the bird will truly be put off is if the cat is on the box trying to get into the hole and the bird witness this, If its just nearby I wouldn't say that is enough to stop the bird in her tracks.
I am just going by my experience with my cats and birds, Maybe your birds was more sensitive I don't know, But I think there could be more than meets the eye with her disappearance especially if she wasn't seen all day Tuesday but Spooky didn't get up on the roof until Wednesday.
Maybe she was killed by a bird of prey or something?
This happened to one of my BT's in 2018, Fully built nest laid 1 egg then suddenly disappeared.
I could only put it down to being killed sadly, Luckily I had another BT nest so I didn't miss out but these things do happen.
These little birds are so vulnerable while collecting material if something is watching them!
I don't think the cat going close to the box would be enough to totally put her off, I am saying this because my cats go so close to my tree box every year and its never put the birds off even when seeing it happen.
During the early stages of building I just let things go on as normal in the garden really, If the birds think its unsafe to nest I let them find out early into building so its easy for them to move on.
Then if it doesn't put them off and we get into more serious building I start letting cats out during evening instead, I mainly do this around feeding chicks stage.
I think the only time the bird will truly be put off is if the cat is on the box trying to get into the hole and the bird witness this, If its just nearby I wouldn't say that is enough to stop the bird in her tracks.
I am just going by my experience with my cats and birds, Maybe your birds was more sensitive I don't know, But I think there could be more than meets the eye with her disappearance especially if she wasn't seen all day Tuesday but Spooky didn't get up on the roof until Wednesday.