What attacked my birdbox?

[Novavee]

That's it, really. We moved to this house last summer and inherited a few bird boxes placed along the back fence of our garden. They were not new and have been there for years, so we left them where they were. A few months ago, a couple of great tits took residence in one of them. We started hearing chick's chirping two weeks ago, which was such a lovely sound to hear whilst pottering around.

Yesterday morning I woke up to find the roof of the bird house ripped clean off the house nails and all, nesting material all over the fence and a confused tit hoping around the near the nesting material and looking into the box.

There are no signs of pecking or bite marks around the hole or anywhere on the roof. The roof broke into two or three pieces of wood lengthwise. There is no blood, no feathers (but they were probably too young), no egg shells, nothing.

The day before a magpie circled a couple of times and tried to stick it's beak into the nest. We kept watch and scared it away. Could it have been the culprit? The way the roof was removed makes me thing of hands but surely a squirrel would bite the hole to get in and, anyway, would it be strong enough to lift the roof and nails? I haven't seen squirrels in weeks, though.

We are all very sad for the loss of the little ones but I am also very puzzled. What could have done this and how to protect the remaining boxes in case other birds decide to nest there? Any thoughts?

Along the top of the fence? Cat or fox?

And if so, and you want to protect them, I’d put anti cat rollers along the top of the fence (not anti cat netting in case the birds get caught in it).

Thanks @Judashascomeintosomemoney

Yes, the bird box is near the top of the fence. There are fence top spikes (the plastic ones) on either side of the roof of each box, covering approximately 20cm on each side of the box, but I have just realised there aren't any on top of the post where the bird box is attached. A cat could potentially jump over the spike section, perch on the post and bat at the bird house. It was tilted, so that could be it.

The lack of anything apart from nesting material made me disregard a cat... just thought they would be a bit more messy.

It is not my fence,Amy garden backs into another garden and they own the fence but I will speak with them about fence rollers.

You'd be surprised how clever and strong all members of the Corvid family are (crow, magpie, rook, etc) and yes they all eat baby birds. Get yourself an air rifle.

Rats and squirrels are strong are both keen on eating baby birds too, even hedgehogs but I don't see how a hedgie could climb up there to be honest.

The law on shooting corvids has changed, you need a license now. an unaimed rifle won't see them off for long and ime it makes the neighbours who don't know you well shit themselves when they see you with a rifle in hand

Me and an air rifle would likely be a very bad idea. We are surrounded on all 3 sides, so chances are it won't go well.

Apart from a quick visit from one little bird to the feeding station, the garden has been eerily empty and silent today. Even the Robins kept away.

I don't think that's a terribly good idea in a residential setting.

Anyway, the magpies and crows etc are only doing what comes naturally, and will all have their own chicks to feed.

Please don't get an air rifle. No animal or bird deserves to be shot for its natural behaviour. Its incredibly sad when this happens, but also incredibly common. What a shame. I hope you get more birds coming back to your garden.