A Happy New Year to all this diary's readers!
When the weather broke before Christmas, our birds became much less interested in the bird boxes. However, in the brighter periods since Christmas things have been busier again.
A bluetit has been visiting Box2 from time to time since Christmas and here (s)he is again.
The second recorded visit of the day some 4 hours later.
Judging from this bird's behaviour, there is something going on outside!
As I thought - but is this a competitor or a partner?
What's up now?
Judging from the reaction of the bird inside, this seems to be a friend.
But what about this?
The bird outside doesn't look unfriendly ...
... and this still looks non-threatening.
But the bird inside clearly doesn't think so!
Next there was a sort of confrontation at the nest box hole ...
... which led to this.
I sometimes think that in this early period of establishing bird partnerships, the birds themselves are confused about whether another is a friend or competitor!
And if they cannot tell, what hope is there for the rest of us?