empty bird table

We went to Lea Gardens today, we go most years when the grounds to a private house open to see a spectacular show of rhododendruns and azaleas on a hillside woodland.

However the day has been over shadowed by sad #BTCB news.  The mother has not roosted in the nest box the last few nights as the chicks have grown but today she has not returned at all and the 4 remaining chicks have perished. We will never know what happened to the adults, they looked worn out themselves but it is so sad. The thrill of having a nest box cam and the joy of watching from the first nesting material to now suddenly has a very different feel.