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For the first time (WHOOPEE!), a blue tit (christened Lady Penelope by my children) has adoped our nestbox and we have been very excited watching her progress! She checked it out, slept in it for a month or so, lined it with fluffy feathers, made a wee 'nest', added some moss and laid 10 eggs - clever girl! We have watched with fascination on a live cam beamed straight to our telly. I wondered if anyone knew what the incubation period was for blue tits (so we don't miss a moment of the hatch) and also, what kind of food should I leave out so Lady Penelope is in tip top condition when her brood do eventually hatch? Finally, what type of food (if any) should I leave out that she can feed to her chicks and give them the best start in life?
How exciting and 10 eggs that's phenominal. My bluetits are very fond of dried soaked mealworms. They do of course prefer the live ones but I can't bring myself to feed those. A word of warning though if you have starlings around they will clear the mealworms in record time.They will also rid your garden of any insects or caterpillars
They usually fledge withing 15-23 days
Of all creatures, man is the most detestable, he is the only creature that inflicts pain for sport, knowing it to be pain. ~ Mark Twain
Hi Lady Penelope and welcome to the RSPB Forum. Enjoy yourself here
Great news about your Blue tit and it looks as you have a foster family for the duration of the Blue Tit nesting time.
Food wise I would feed lots of foodstuff like Mealworms, as they are easy for the little ones to eat, and digest.
Make sure that they is no chance that the little ones are fed any whole peanuts by the parent birds at all as they are lethal to the youngsters.
I have never known the incubation period of Blue Tits of the top of my head without referring to the website, but I am sure that someone will answer your question here with ease...yes JudiM has answered as I was typing this post
Look forward to hearing more about your 'Lady Penelope' in the near future
Regards
Kathy and Dave
Hi Lady Penelope and welcome.
Incubation time for blue-tits is around a fortnight, give or take a day or two. How exciting for you and the children, fingers crossed all goes well!
A thing of beauty is a joy forever.
How exciting for you all - I'm sure the children will be watching their activities a lot in the next few weeks! Hope you manage to see them when they finally leave 'home'.
Warm welcome to the Forum.
Hi
Great news can we come and watch the telly LOL
Ray
a good laugh is better than a tonic