Bluetit Diary    May 2008 (19)

 

 

Wednesday 28th May (part3)

So that leaves two chicks in the box.

I think the one not in the hole suddenly realises that it may soon be on its own and doesn't like the idea.  It appears to be making a frantic effort to get onto the hole itself - not easy when it is already occupied!

Here it tries to force its way past the other chick again.

After another 10 seconds or so, the chick in the hole decides its time has come ...

... but before its final leap of faith a parent comes to see what was going on.

This is what it looks like from the inside.  The nest box hole is a bit crowded at the moment!

Suddenly, there was only one chick in the box - and that was on the exit hole.

This last chick thought for a long time about leaving - but eventually decided it couldn't face it ...

... and huddled up to one of the corners of the box for comfort.  All its short life it has had the other chicks around it and in contact with it - now it is by itself for the first time.

A minute and a half later it had realised that a chick's got to do what a chick's got to do - and flew back up to the exit hole.

Go on - it's easy really!

And it was gone!

So Box2 is quiet again for another year.

Well almost!  Dad came in with some food a minute later and found the box empty!

And that truly was the last visit to the box this year!