Tuesday 27 May 2014

Blue Tits Nesting Update.

Regular readers of this blog will know that Blue Tits have been regular nesters in our garden over many years. More often than not the old oak nest box behind the garden shed has been the preferred location and this year I regularly listened to the knocking sounds as the adult prepared the nest site nearly a month ago. 
Whilst on inspection the nest was completed it has not been used ... WHY? ... We have noticed an increase in numerous visits from various local Cats over recent months and as the box site is fairly open I believe the nest builder decided somewhere else would be safer.
 

Prior to and since our holiday in Italy we have noticed activity in and out of another nest box located in the Birch at the bottom of the garden and Anita says she has clearly heard the high pitched calls of youngsters (my upper register is getting a little fuzzy!). I spent some time watching the box over this weekend and sure enough the adults are definitely feeding young.

New branches have grown around the box entrance so capturing any quality images of activity was a challenge but I did manage this one shot showing an adult exiting the box. During a session in the garden on Saturday I was able to capture one of the adults as it gleaned tiny insects from the leaves in the Hawthorn.

 Check out the tiny seed in its bill ... I hope it's finding more substantial fodder for its young!

 Who is making that clicking sound?

Amazing to see the acrobatics involved in seeking out likely tit bits for their chicks,


Finally a shot of an adult perched just above the nest box and waiting for its turn to enter.  FAB.

Linking to Nature Notes and Wild Bird Wednesday.

22 comments:

  1. glad they're still around! like that old nest box, though.

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  2. Oh Frank, how wonderful to have these pretty little birds nesting in your yard! You managed to get some great shots in among those branches!

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  3. Hi frank,

    Our Blue Tits have all fledged, along with the Great Tits. I crumble suet balls in a container, I find the parents feed them to the young and it helps them when insects and caterpillars are scarce.

    Cats are not on my list of favourite domestic pets.........I wouldn't want to think how many birds they kill during the breeding season.

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  4. Super photos Frank and how lovely to have this pretty little bird nesting nearby. Fantastic!

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  5. Oh my goodness Frank, the close-up images are absolutely wonderful, absolutely perfect...loved everymone of them and thank you Anita for spotting the box and the sound of young ones ;)

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  6. Well done Frank, you got the Blue Tits feeding its chicks. Hard one to do.

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  7. Wonderful photos! The tits are so adorable.

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  8. Wow - Such good clicks, Frank! Cute little birdies.

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  9. Great photos of very beautiful little birds. It is great that they have used a nest box where you can hear and see them.

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  10. Those darn cats! I wish people would understand how harmful it is for the birds to let cats roam. Anyway, glad they found a safe place to nest. Your shots are absolutely beautiful!

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  11. Most of the blue tit boxes that I check on are about 1 third down on the size of the brood this year Frank. Not so many caterpillars for food either.

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  12. I just love these cute birds, great shots!

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  13. Great photo's they are so cute.

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  14. Wonderful sequence of shots.

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  15. Such a pretty bird and so clever, too! Love your shots.

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  16. HI Frank How wonderful to have birds nesting in your garden and being able to see them busily trying to find food fo their young ones. Now it will be exciting to ses the young immerge. Great shots of all this actiivity.

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  17. Beautiful little guys!! Boom, Bobbi and Gary.

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  18. Hi Frank.... That's why for the birds sake and the safety to of my kitty that mine stays inside , and seems perfectly happy!!
    I remember seeing that first nest box from past post, but birds know best and have been successful that's great!! Love the second chose nest box how clever is that : } is that some thing you made Frank ??
    The photo's of the parents food searching are wonderful!! Wish I was that agile ! : }

    Grace

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  19. My cats are always indoor cats as millions of birds are killed by cats.... Cute little birds Frank... Michelle

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  20. Hello Everyone. Many thanks for all your kind comments.

    As regards the Cats I did suggest to Anita that I catch them and tie a large bell on them but probably not a practical move!

    Grace. The 2nd box is made of woodcrete and was an expensive purchase some years ago but has been used by the Blue and Great Tits in some years.

    I'm guessing that it won't be long before the youngsters fledge but whether the weather will allow us to witness the event .... who knows.

    Cheers ... FAB.

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  21. Wonderful photos and great observations.

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I hope you enjoyed your visit and I always appreciate your comments and feedback.

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