Do birds as a rule fly straight from the nest?
I've got several nests in my garden and one I've been able to look right into as it's under a window.
I've been watching the four chicks grow, but yesterday it was empty. I did notice the female Blackbird going frantic and I have seen it tend one fledgeling that's sat in the hedge.
Are the other three likely to be lining a cats tummy, how does this work?

do you have cuckoos round you? could be that

or the nest was raided by cat/ferret/other birds

seems a little early to be fledging but they do tent to hop around on nearby branches getting their strength up first

Can't wait to get home to see if the little fella is still alive. He was flapping like a ****er this morning trying to take off.
Is it likely that it's the same nesting pair that have been coming back over the years?
I feel proper soft I do.

depends on the bird, a lot will return to the same nest