Bluetit Diary    Jun 2001 (4)

We were slightly surprised to find all the chicks at home this morning.  However, they seem very lively, with periods of violent preening and frenzied wing flapping

By 3pm we noticed increased activity in the box, and chicks flying up and looking out of the box.  At 3.10pm a chick was perched on the rim of the hole - its claws could be seen on the edge and it was leaning right out, as if it might leave at any moment.  However, it decided to retreat to the safety of the nest for a little while longer.

By 3.45pm, the chicks were taking it in turns to look at the big wide world outside, but only taking cautious glances, and not perching on the rim of the hole and leaning out.

After an hour of increasing frenzy, two chicks left almost together at 5.00pm  The remaining four chicks were left in stunned silence, one chick taking shelter low down in the nest cup. They were all still there at 5.10, but after the hen brought in food another chick plucked up courage and left at 5.15pm.  Elizabeth went into the garden at 5.17pm to replenish the mealworm feeder and saw another chick leave, fluttering up into the hornbeam.  We were recording this period on video and the nervous tension as they plucked up courage to leave was obvious.  For example, the chicks had not left any droppings in the nest, presenting their faecal sacs to a parent after being fed.  This rule was broken by several of the birds as they left the nest, leaving a sac in the nest below the exit.  Several of these were taken away by one of the parents when there on a feeding visit but a couple can still be seen on the floor of the empty nest.

Just two chicks to go now!

At 5.30pm, the last chick left.  The whole exodus had taken only half an hour.  Dad looked in later a couple of times, holding a caterpillar, but after a good look around, seemed to decide he must search for his offspring elsewhere.

Two eggs can still be seen in the nest cup in the last picture.  Next week we shall investigate to see if the third egg is still there but hidden, or whether perhaps one chick died early on, its body being removed by one of the parents.

So it's all over until next year!