I spent much of yesterday sitting watching all the activity in the blue tits nest. The parents continuously feeding the hungry mouths. I could see the babies coming nearer to the opening and thought they were possibly going to fledge sometime soon.
I went indoors for about 20 minutes to make some butter cream for a cake I had made and when I came out again there were three dead bodies on the patio. Finlay was sitting beside them. No marks on the bodies at all so I think they died of shock. They must have made the jump out of the hole in the wall into the undergrowth and Finlay found them. I am so sad especially as it was my dog who killed them.
The adults were calling from the trees and obviously looking for the babies. I could hear some noise from the nest and soon the parents started to go back in to feed the one or maybe two left.
Nature can be very cruel and having a dog who is a hunter by nature did not help. Both boys are now on the lead when they go into the garden in the hope of saving any babies left when they fledge.
I have watched this little family since I arrived at this cottage and feel so sad at this awful news!!
Finlay is certainly clocking up quite a number of birds and animals he has killed since we have been here. I had better take him home - soon!!
Oh I’m so sad for you Pam...you must be feeling very bad....not your fault of course but you were so looking forward to them Making that first flight.....Finley wouldn’t know he had done anything wrong but it’s hard to take. Hope there is at least one left.
Our dog went for lizards...they disappeared from the yard for a long time..returning when she was too old to see or care....