Things are hotting up! We have just had a bird going inside one of our nest boxes for the first time this autumn.
This bluetit, well anyway some bluetit or other, seems to investigate Box3 most days but so far it has not ventured inside. He hasn't shown any sign of thinking about it either - this seems to be the nearest he gets.
A bluetit visits Box2.
What's this - he's not going inside is he?
Is he or isn't he?
Yes! First recorded visit of the season!
As you can see, this year I have put a few wood shavings inside Box1 and Box2 (though not Box3). This is suggested by the RSPB and so we have decided to give it a try this year.
He's now been in the box for over a minute so he can't find it too traumatic!
Now what's all this? If this was the start of the nesting season I'd say this was a female doing a nesting wriggle!
Having a good look out ...
... and 15 seconds later, he's off! He was in the box for nearly 1½ minutes.
Another visitor for Box2 - this time a wren.
Is he going inside?
Well, he's got quite a way in but seems to have had second thoughts.
No - he's now gone into reverse gear!
It would be lovely to have a wren's nest in the garden.
Preparing to leave.
And up to perch on the roof of the box.