This nesting box is located on the South
fence of the garden and faces North. This box has been occupied by Blue Tit and also Great
Tits. We have now improved the protection from cats and this year it has proved
successful. The box is surrounded by a cage of plastic mesh which is large enough to allow
the birds in and out.
6 June 1999
All successfully fledged while we were away on our holidays.
Unfortunate timing and we are sorry we missed it.
29 May 1999
Who's turn is it to be lookout?
27 May 1999
Let's all shout together that we want more food!
25 May 1999
Lots of feathers now. Brothers and sisters climb all over each other trying to
get fed first.
23 May 1999
Feeding is a non-stop task for both parents.
21 May 1999
Five out of eight beaks wide open ready for food!
19 May 1999
Eight chicks getting bigger each day. A row of feathers is just visible down
their backs now.
18 May 1999
All eight eggs have hatched. One was about a day late and the chick is noticeably
smaller. The parents seem to be giving the small one more frequent feeds than the others.
16 May 1999
Eggs hatching now! There are five chicks so far. You can see two open beaks
waiting for food.
13 May 1999
Female sitting on the eggs. She leaves them for short periods for feeding,
bathing, etc.
11 May 1999
We think that eight eggs is the total for this year. Hatching should start in
about 4 or 5 days.
 
8 May 1999
Early morning, eight eggs clearly visible in a beautiful nest. While the female
sits on the eggs the male does a bit of home improvement by pecking at the edge of the
hole.
5 May 1999
Early evening, roosting with head tucked under the right wing. We have not seen
the Great Tit off the eggs for a couple of days now. We think this is the female and she
occasionally gets fed by the male.
3 May 1999
Sitting during the afternoon. There are now eight eggs.
 
30 April 1999
Five eggs already! The eggs are usually covered with nesting material during the
early part of the day when the birds are out foraging. When the female is on the nest,
possibly laying, the male brings her food.
27 April 1999
The Great Tit roosting at night. The head is tucked under one wing and the
feathers are all fluffed up to provide good insulation from the cold.
25 April 1999
The Great Tit pecking at the entrance hole.
For the action in 1998 please go to 1998 ARCHIVE 2. |
