Bluetit Diary    May 2009 (22)

 

 

Monday 25th May, 2009

So is this to be the day that Bella's remaining chicks fledge?  We certainly expect it will be.  I even set the cameras to come on earlier today to ensure that we didn't miss another early fledger!

The first picture that was taken shows four chicks in the nest cup and Scrap lying in the left corner of the box beneath the exit hole.

Is he still alive?  He spent some time here yesterday and then moved back into the nest cup.  However, this time we fear he must have died overnight.

Looking at the next few pictures, including this one where Bella has just come into the box, we can see no sign of any movement from Scrap.

Progress!  A chick is looking out of the nest box.

As a result, Bella has to put on the brakes rather hard when coming to the box again!

Well, she got in all right, but the chicks seem as interested in the outside world as much as they are in what food she may have brought them.

It looks as though the first of the remaining chicks is about to leave the nest box here ...

... but its courage failed and it managed to draw back again.

BY a quarter past six the chicks seem to have reached an agreement not to fledge at all!  The four chicks are all as low as they can get in the nest cup and show no interest in anything at all.

Bella seems to be investigating what has happened to Scrap.

However, three minutes later a chick is back up in the exit hole and calling - for help perhaps?

They appear to be getting excited about going again!

One goes up to the hole again ...

... and quite suddenly flies.

One gone and three to go!