An egg in Box2!
I thought the signs were good - a complete nest and a roosting female.
It's nicely visible too! This is the earliest we have ever had an egg laid in one of our nest boxes. Our previous record was 7th April in both 2002 and 2014.
I think this is Ben. Look at that very wide white band round his head - usually a sign of a male bluetit.
Five seconds later in comes Bella. Has Ben still got some food in his beak for her?
He tries to get her to take his offering - Bella appears to be begging - her wings are slightly spread and all aquiver.
They seem to be making heavy weather of this.
Has the food passed from Ben to Bella?
Clearly not - they are having another attempt at it.
Three seconds later, Ben has gone and Bella appears to be inspecting her egg!
Now she does a nesting wriggle over it. It always surprises me that eggs can survive the rough treatment they get in the nest box.
And another one!
Nearly 3 hours have passed since the above sequence was recorded. Bella appears to have covered up her egg and here she is with more fluffy feathers.
It's half past seven - bed time!
Soon she has tucked her head under her wing and gone to sleep.
Perhaps it is surprising, but the bluetits that occupy our nest boxes never seem bothered by the lighting arrangements.
Over in Box1, Andy continues to bring Ann food fairly often - a good sign.