Bluetit Diary    May 2009 (26)

 

 

Friday 29th May, 2009

Several other birds seem to have been taking an interest in Fay's nest box today.

The first incident occurred early in the morning.

Fay's got her feathers up.  What's worrying her now then?

Ah!  It's a great tit on the roof of the box.

What's he up to? 

I can't believe this is one of a pair searching for a nest site!  Box2 and Box3 are both available if that's what it's after, and neither of them has had any attention!

He's a bit of a scruff isn't he!

Not surprisingly, Fay doesn't seem to like him.

She keeps lunging forward at him, probably making lots of noise at the same time.

It is two and a half minutes after the great tit goes when Fay next leaves the box.

The second incident is also odd.  It starts with Fay going into the box.

Almost immediately after (nine seconds after actually!) a male bluetit lands on the nest box roof.

He moves closer to take a look inside the box.

Fay's not very keen on this visitor either!

Again, she keeps lunging forward telling him to go away.

This has the effect of causing the male to raise its head feathers to look fierce.

Another lunge!

Clearly, this male is not easily intimidated.

He's still there!

He soon leaves and nine seconds after Fay emerges from the box.  Clearly she was not as upset by this intruder as with some of the others.

The third unwelcome visitor was our old foe the woodpecker.

This time Fay is not at home.

He tries to get to the chicks.

Fortunately, the chicks instinct is to huddle down in the nest cup - their place of security.

Eventually, he gives up.  This picture gives the impression that something must have disturbed him ...

... but it's seven minutes before Fay arrives back at the box.

It is particularly the bluetit that puzzles us.  Could this be Bill, Fay's original partner?  He's ugly like Bill was with odd facial markings, and he keeps coming back to visit the nest box.  He came back a couple of times more later on today.  Also Fay doesn't seem too worried by his visits.

However, if that's the case, why did he and Fay fall out?  Did he leave her for another female?  We shall never know, of course, but it's interesting to speculate.