In the early afternoon, an amusing sequence occurred. Fantail came into the nest box and Fred went into one of his feeding frenzies. This time it was prompted by our putting out mealworms in the new feeder mounted on our dining room window. Fred brought her food five times in about five minutes. At first Fantail seemed reasonably enthusiastic but after a little while she clearly became less interested.
Mealworm 1.
Mealworm 2.
After two more feeding sessions, Fantail is less keen.
First she seems to turn away - but then appears to take it after all.
However, she had had enough and flew out of the nest with the mealworm uneaten.
Presumably she dropped it outside and then came back because a minute later she was back in the nest. And so was Fred! These mealworms were far too good not to feed to Fantail and so she had hardly settled down when he came back with another.
"Are you all right dear?", says Fred.
"Oh all right, I'll take it", says Fantail.
That's a good girl - got to keep your strength up!