The great tits soon became used to the new look inside their box and by half past eleven were coming and going as usual.
Here is one of the pair entering the box. There was no hesitation, it was straight in.
This is a shot of the great tit inside the nest box.
We noticed with interest how often the bluetit approached this nest box when there was a great tit already inside.
Ten minutes later and the great tit departed,
We pick up the story an hour later when one of the great tits enters the nest box again.
Here is the bluetit back again. Why doesn't he come when the box is unoccupied?
Of course at the moment that is quite difficult as the great tits seem to be there much of the time!
The great tit seems to take the bluetit seriously though - this looks pretty threatening behaviour to me. "If you come, you'll have a fight on your hands!" seems to be the message.
You can't tell how much of this the bluetit can see but it probably gets the message.
There's no let up from the great tit
(I'll have to name these birds soon if they continue to provide such excellent entertainment!)
So the bluetit departs.
You can see from this bird's posture that it realises the danger has passed - at least until next time.
Three quarters of an hour later, the bluetit is back.
This time the box is empty! What will he do now?
He goes to the box ...
... and has a good look in ...
... looks over his shoulder ... and flies off!
Did he see the great tit coming to defend its territory? There was no picture taken of any great tit.
Or did his nerve fail him?
Perhaps if he comes again when the box is empty we shall find out!