Bird nesting

This is the first year I put up a bird box and sure enough 2 chaffinches looked around it and decided to nest, frantic preparations went on for weeks coming and going, then I went quiet and neither of them were sighted - a few days ago I noticed a fly come out of the house and decided to investigate - a beautiful nest had been made of moss and twigs and lined with the odd feather and 4 eggs had been laid - but I was sad to discover one of the birds (the female I presume) had died on the nest.

I don't know much about birds so I would be grateful for any information or comments.

 

Mab. there's a possibility that it was the female and she was egg bound, they usually lay 5 eggs mabe the 5th was large or she was too cold and couldn't pass it, what a pity. :(

 

Thanks for your reply. The box was in quite a good place I don't think it was the cold but never mind, nature can be cruel. I will clean the box out with boiling water and leave it for next year and hope they nest in it and have more luck.

 

What a shame MAB, as you say, nature can be cruel. Better luck next year.

I have had a birdbox up for a couple of years, a few birds have checked it out but no nesting, think I will re-sight it for next spring.