Bluetit Diary    May 2009 (13)

 

 

Saturday 16th May, 2009

Soon after starting up this morning, we saw that Fay was waving a piece of egg shell in the air - her eggs have started hatching!

She eats the first egg shell and doesn't leave the nest box for another 10 minutes.  Perhaps she is waiting for Bill to come with some food!

When she at last does leave the nest, we can see that two chicks have hatched out.  The first must have hatched very early in the morning.

It is now 10 o'clock and again Fay has left the nest box.  There are still only two chicks. 

But where is Bill?  It is becoming increasingly clear that he must have disappeared.  If he doesn't re-appear, Fay is going to have an almost impossible job as a single mum.  How will she be able to keep the chicks warm at the same time as feeding both them and herself?

It is now three hours later and there are still only two chicks - and still no Bill!

Another egg has hatched. 

She eats the first half egg shell but seems to be thinking of taking the second half outside.

Yes - off she goes with it!

No more eggs hatch today.  This is one of the last pictures taken before the system closes down and shows Fay settling down for the night.

If Bill doesn't reappear with a big grub tomorrow, then I think we must accept that he has been seduced, or predated, or perhaps just lost interest!

If that is the case, then I fear that this nesting attempt will almost certainly end in tragedy!