Bluetit Diary    Jun 2001 (5)

 

 

Sunday 9th June, 2001

Today I took down the box to examine the contents.  There were a variety of insects in it, and five or six spiders.  There are only two eggs, so presumably a chick died, and the parents removed the body. 

Here is a photo of the two eggs - it really is amazing to see how tiny they are.  They are about 1.5cm long and 1cm wide.  The depth of the nest material at the back is about 7cm, at the front where it has been trampled down it is about 4cm and the bottom of the nest cup has only about 1cm of "bedding".  Next year we shall put some measuring marks on one of the walls in order to enable us to estimate these things without waiting for the chicks to fledge.

We are still supplying mealworms in the feeder, and have seen two adult bluetits visiting it, then flying off in completely different directions.  The chicks in the front garden box have left too, but the tall hedge at the side of the house is alive with twittering tits!  Judging by previous years, when they are a bit older, they will be crawling all over our peanut feeders.

Good news!  This afternoon, we have been watching a bluetit parent feeding various chicks with mealworms from the feeder.  As she exhibited the same pattern of behaviour as our hen bird we feel sure it was her and are pleased that the family is still in the area.