Blue Tits video

I bought an RSPB bird box with camera many years ago and this year I finally had a pair of blue tits nest in it and typically ... the camera stopped working.  I managed to get and fit a replacement without disturbing the birds,  She laid 9 eggs but I think only 7 have hatched but it is fascinating watching them, so much so that I set up another external camera to film them entering and leaving the box.  Here is one of the videos that I put together

https://youtu.be/ucUaBUG06Kc

  • Thank you for sharing your video with us Blue-7, showing your lovely blue tit family, it must be really exciting following their progress with the cameras. It will be nice to be able to see updates of them growing up and fledging.
  • Latest update, Blue Tits, Wednesday 09 June 2021. They are getting quite big now, eyes open, calling to be fed and the large one is stretching it's wings and pruning it's feathers. To my surprise the female no longer roosts in the nestbox with her young and leaves them alone at night. She is incredibly house proud and when they don't present her with their droppings, she digs down deep into the bottom of the nest looking for any which she quickly disposes of. At this rate they may be leaving the nest next week so I must choose a suitable spot for a camera to hopefully film first flight from the box.
    https://youtu.be/z-CXUgZ4lcI

    David
  • Lovely to see the family, they are very funny with their big open beaks when she comes in with food, I always think that they look like they are singing! It would be good if you caught the fledging.
  • Nice footage, and I bet you're finding it very interesting watching the blue tit chicks grow.

  • Mike, yes and learning a lot in the process, I was amazed to see one egg crack and the female help the hatching by prising one half open and particularly surprised to see the female eat half of the egg shell. Also surprising was how the young turn around backwards to offer their droppings sack to a parent so it can take it and remove it.
    David
  • Blue-7 said:
    Mike, yes and learning a lot in the process, I was amazed to see one egg crack and the female help the hatching by prising one half open and particularly surprised to see the female eat half of the egg shell. Also surprising was how the young turn around backwards to offer their droppings sack to a parent so it can take it and remove it.


    David

    It is a very good way of learning. During the first lockdown I spent a lot of time out in the garden it that was informative watching the various species go about their business. I also fid the two naturecams very informative, and it is good to keep up with the various wildlife that visits the garden night and day.

  • Mike, I agree, I bought an RSPB wildlife pond kit and built a 3x2 mtr wildlife pond during lockdown and on completion bought a sign to name it appropriately Loch Doon :) I now have tadpoles, dragonflies, damselflies and all sorts of creatures I can't identify. I also bought an RSPB PIR / Trap camera and recorded some fascinating footage including a badger determined to empty my pond
    https://youtu.be/tbvyzUPTv4I
  • Well done on making the pond and I love the name, very appropriate! That was one thirsty Badger, what a great find on the new camera.
  • They all left on Sunday. After a lot of jockeying for poll position in the nest box, they all made their maiden flights without any crash landings and managed to reach the safety of the hawthorn bush. All is now very quiet and somewhat sad to see them all go.

    https://youtu.be/HwtsuPJx1Us
  • Lovely to watch Blue-7, thanks for the letting us follow their progress. Lovely to see them eventually fledge. It must be so scary for them, being in the box for all those weeks and then the big leap into the wide world!!