Bluetit Diary    May 2001 (8)

 

 

Saturday 26th May, 2001

The chicks now have their eyes open, and can be seen blinking.  They also do some tentative wing-flapping, and spend some time preening.

 

 

Monday 28th May, 2001

The chicks now look much more like bluetits.  Their wings seem quite well developed, but their backs under their wings are still rather pink and bare.  We have not seen all six at the same time today - we hope they are all managing to get their share of food and air.  The female still delves down into the nest, almost disappearing on occasion.  Once she emerged carrying a faecal sac from the bottom of the nest - presumably the chicks cannot always wait for the appropriate time.  On another occasion, the chicks seemed to be taking a siesta, when suddenly there was an upheaval in the nest, and the hen emerged, looking somewhat ruffled.  She really does seem to take her housework seriously.

Later - all six now clearly seen.  If you are wondering where the sixth chick is, look at the bottom right of the picture where one chick has escaped the nest and is wandering around looking confused!

The chicks are now regularly wandering from the nest

Duties are still being shared, though Dad's visits are quite brief - like most males, he avoids the housework!  This picture shows the hen feeding the family, while Dad makes a hasty escape.

Again six chicks can be seen, but one has decided it wants to be alone (in the bottom right hand corner of the picture).