France in Focus

A Robin made a nest inside a screwbox in my husband's shed. This started several weeks ago.

Today I quietly peeped and saw chicks, very newly hatched I think.

How long before they're able to fly? The nest is very squashed

How lovely. We had 3 nesting boxes used this year. One complete catastrophe, the other two seem to have succeeded.

I managed to quietly get a cheeky snap today. My worry is the parents are not feeding them/it


Photo is upside down

As you all know, this time of year, the birds should not rely on fat balls, it is essential that they feed their young on insects etc., natural food. If nature does not supply enough, then that is how nature controls the bird population. In rural France, there is sufficient natural food for them, but in built up areas there may be a shortage. It’s the fault of all us humans taking over from nature.

I don't think the chicks are going to survive.

Today when I looked in they didn't open their beaks and seemed very still, although breathing.

I wish there was something I could do

They're dead

Aww, so sorry. Nature can be cruel.

On the happy side, several years ago a pair of bluetits decided to nest in our postbox. The postie noticed it and told us and he would just come up the drive and give the mail to my wife, she was always there at the time. We never disturbed them and three little birds survived to fly off.

That's nice Dave.

I can't even get to these to remove them, don't like the thought of flies getting to them. The drawer of the small screw box won't open because of the nest.

Oh that’s very sad.poor little things.