We're becoming convinced that Kelly has only seven chicks. Perhaps one egg has not hatched out, or perhaps one chick died early on. We will find out in the autumn when we take the nest box down.
Today a bluetit came again to have a close look at Box1. Fortunately Babe was inside at the time and it was interesting to see how seriously she takes her responsibility for looking after her chicks.
These are Kelly's chicks. Although it is very difficult to see where one chick stops and another begins, the yellow edges to their beaks do tend to stand out. In this picture we think you can see seven yellow strips, so there are at least seven chicks. However, we have never seen more than seven so we must reluctantly conclude that one egg didn't hatch.
This is the start of the bluetit's visit to Babe's box. The story starts when Babe has recently arrived at the nest with food and is in the process of deciding which one to give it to.
Outside, a bluetit alights on the roof of the nest box.
Somehow Babe realises that it's a threat outside and not Ferdinand on the roof.
It soon becomes clear that this is reconnoitring and is not just an idle visit!
You can see Babe's reaction! She is probably making a noise too but unfortunately we can't hear inside this box.
This bluetit is certainly persistent.
In spite of what he must be able to see, he actually has the effrontery to hop down onto the nest box hole in order to get a better look!
Babe does her best to cover the chicks and make herself look as big as possible. One chick doesn't seem to get the message that this is an emergency, and continues to ask for food!
The bluetit decides that going inside isn't very sensible and pops back up onto the roof.
Babe leans forward to try to see where he has gone to.
The bluetit - is this Carlos? - has probably decided that it's no go - there is someone occupying the box and they are bigger than he is!
Shortly after, he flies off.
In spite of the general lowering of the tension, Babe is still very much on her guard.
A few seconds later, Babe is contentedly mothering her brood again. It's business as usual!