Bluetit Diary    Mar 2003 (11)

 

 

Monday 31st March, 2003

An eventful day for a change.  We have spent most of the day monitoring Box2 as Fluffy's behaviour has been most odd recently.  Flash keeps going into the box, presumably to try to encourage Fluffy to do the same, but more often than not she ignores his pleas.

There was one occasion, however, which seemed very strange.  Flash was in the box and another bluetit came and sat in the hole looking into the box.  If this had been Fluffy, we would have expected her to go straight in allowing Flash to depart.  This bird, however, just sat there blocking the exit and poor Flash did not know what to do.  He made 4 or 5 attempts to get out, all of which were unsuccessful, and finally he had to wait until the other bird left, which it did without entering the box.

Still not here?

Hold on, who's this coming in?

I've got to go!

Who is it?  And why is it staying there?

I must go!!

Oh why won't she let me out?

What can I do?

Help!!!

Finally, the intruder went away and Flash immediately left the box.  However, he is not to be put off easily and a few minutes later he's back having another look for Fluffy.

Can't find her anywhere.

An hour or so later, he was back again. This time Fluffy decides to turn up.

Could this be Fluffy?

I don't know what all the fuss is about!

See, I'm often around.

Flash just doesn't know how to find me!

Again, Flash looks for Fluffy.Fluffy

But Fluffy is hidden up at the top of the box!

As previously mentioned, Fluffy has managed to get past the cardboard collar inserted just below the camera lens in order to stop birds "going upstairs".  This is because two years ago an enterprising bluetit started pecking at the camera cables and nearly put the camera out of action.  Tonight, Fluffy appears to be roosting up there.  We could still hear her moving around at about 19.45 when it was dark outside.  (The microphone picks up the sounds inside the box quite clearly.)

And, to our great delight, a final look at Box1 showed that Fantail was roosting in her box as well - but of course, in her proper place!

So,for the first time this year, both our boxes are occupied overnight.