This is a wooden box which houses all the electrics for our pond pump.The lid hadn't been put on properly some time ago and you can just make out a little gap at the top each side. A pair of Great Tits found this and built their nest inside. The noise from the chicks in this box has been amazing!! But today it's quiet, so I guessed that they had fledged and took a peak inside............JUST LOOK!!!!
Isn't that just beautiful!! It must be over 8 inches deep with grasses and stems and topped with a mixture of moss and the insides of my dogs fluffly toys!! There was one dead chick inside, but what a picture of comfy bliss!! Do I leave this nest as it is in case it's needed again??
2 other nests fledged on Sunday in the garden, both were Blue Tit nests, one of which was a camera nestbox linked up to a tv in my kitchen. I never did get an accurate count of the chicks as there were sooooooo many!! They were always on top of one another......I do know that there were at least 9.The silence was deafening in my kitchen when they left. But of all the days to go, why Sunday??? We had rain, hail, gales, thunder and lightning and all I could think of was the fact that 3 weeks ago they had just been eggs!! now they were facing the full force of nature.........I REALLY did worry about them!!
'My favourite weather is bird chirping weather'.........Terri Guillemets
That is beautiful. "a mixture of moss and the insides of my dogs fluffly toys!!" I love that. I put out my cats fur for the birds and it has all gone so I like to think it is in a nest somewhere.
We usually clean out our nest boxes in October but I know there are laws about when you can do this, especially if there are eggs still in the nest.
I include a link to RSPB advice regarding this, I hope it helps:
http://www.rspb.org.uk/advice/helpingbirds/nestboxes/smallbirds/maintenance.aspx
One year we had a family of coaltits fledge and they picked the one appalling day of gales, rain and some hail when days before and after were glorious sunshine. I was also really worried, as you are but I saw them about in the garden a few days later so all was well. (I assume it was the same family, we don't get that many coaltits).
I am watching a family of seven gorgeous bluetits in their box as I write this.
Kind regards Jane.
What a wonderful nest!!! Fancy leaving that 5 star bed in the rain and gales. I would have waited another day at least!! Have you seen them about your garden?
Cheers, Linda.
See my photos on Flickr
Susan H said: What a wonderful nest!!! Fancy leaving that 5 star bed in the rain and gales. I would have waited another day at least!! Have you seen them about your garden?
No!!...................and that's the gratitude you get for supplying bed and breakfast!! There are lots of trees and hedges for them to hide in so I'll keep my eyes peeled for them!!
Thanks for your photographs Wonderwoman. I wonder how many trips it took your birds to carry the nesting material into your box and through that gap. It is a marvel how they accomplish such comfort. I hope you see them all again.
Im begining to wonder if that Great tit was able to drive a dumper?
Cheers
AL
If its no fun Yer no doin it right!
Unknown said: Im begining to wonder if that Great tit was able to drive a dumper? Cheers AL
I expect he he/she had some help from bob the builder.or even spud.....
Fantastic little home there too..........
THANKYOU FOR READING
SUE and LUCKY..just call me Mrs Early Bird.....x
Our house operate's soley for our animals and birds......Love me love my animals........
birdlady1 said: Im begining to wonder if that Great tit was able to drive a dumper? Cheers AL
............or help from a........ CRANE....... maybe????...........Hee!! Hee!!
Well THAT didn't stay empty for long!!! it was only vacated at the beginning of the week and Great Tits are in it again!! (Could they possibly be the first lot come back for a second brood......or is that too soon???)
It could very well be the same pair setting up for a second brood.
Please keep us posted on there progress.
Oh I like the CRANE idea lol real good!! lol