Blue tit
nest box diary - 2006
Click on any of the individual images below for a much larger
view and scroll to see all the diary pictures. All eight egs hatched and
all the chicks fledged on June 6th. The nest box cam is now off-line.
If you enjoyed watching
the live webcam, consider installing a nest
box camera. If the box is used and you watch it live, in full screen
and with sound, on your TV or computer, believe me, you will be in
for a real treat.
These pictures are from a low resolution camera (not
from my
new HANDYKAM camera)
16th May - day 1  |
16th
May 2006 Last night there were 8 unhatched eggs. This morning there
were 6 very tiny blue tit chicks and by early evening all
eight had hatched. Click the picture on the left for a better view.
Find out more about the importance
of mealworms for raising a healthy brood. |
Click on any
of the individual images below for a much larger view.
17th May - day 2 |
18th May - day 3 |
19th May - day 4 |
20th May - day 5 |
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Where are the chicks? |
Growing rapidly |
It's now possible to count all 8 chicks |
Reassuring to see there are still two parent birds! |
21st May - day 6 |
22nd May - day 7 |
23rd May - day 8 |
24th May - day 9 |
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Developing well. Click any of the pictures
on this page for a better view . |
Toilet time. Mum & dad debate whose turn it is! |
11:30 p.m. Restless chicks, so mum moves to
one side |
25th May - day 10 |
26th May - day 11 |
27th May - day 12 |
28th May - day 13 |
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The 'gapes' are still very
prominent in picture 1.
In pictures 2, 3 and 4 above the chicks' eyes are open and their wings
are developing. Click any of the pictures for a better view. |
29th May - day 14 |
30th May - day 15 |
31st May - day 16 |
1st June - day 17 |
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Between 29th May and 1st June
growth of these blue tit chicks has been rapid and the head markings
are now obvious. |
2nd June - day 18 |
3rd June - day 19 |
4th June - day 20 |
5th June - day 21 |
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In just a few days' time these
eight chicks will fledge (leave the nest). In picture 3 above there
are 8 chicks and mum. It's hard now to distinguish the young from their
parents. |
6th June - day 22 - It's time now for
the big, wide world. |
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Picture 1- It's only 5 a.m.
but everyone's awake. This is the last day (or more appropriately the
first day). The first chick left 2 hours' later. By 7:15 a.m.
(picture 2) it's noticeably roomier in the nest box and by 8:40 a.m.
(picture 3) there are only two chicks left. Picture 4 was captured
at 9:00 a.m. but at 9:39 this lonely looking chick decided it was time
to leave. If you missed it, here's
a picture
of the last chick leaving the nest box. |
Final notes:- The camera in this box (Box 1) is only low resolution and
was salvaged from a domestic cctv camera. Although the 'thumbnail' and enlarged
pictures are less sharp then the ones from the new 'high res.' camera in Box
2, this does not detract in any way from seeing the action 'live' on
your own television or computer monitor. You just turn up the sound that's
picked up via the on-board microphone and enjoy it all.
Blue tits generally produce a single brood of chicks each year. If that
brood fails, there is no second chance. There may be from 7 - 13 eggs, although
clutches in gardens may be smaller. Eggs take from 10 to 15 days to hatch.
Mealworms are
an excellent source of food to ensure the chicks' healthy development. Live
food also gives the chicks a source of moisture which cannot be obtained
from seeds.
The RSPB's advice at this time of the year, especially when
the chicks have all hatched is is provide some food to help the parents. "Foods
such as sunflower seeds or hearts, summer bird food mix, insectivorous mix,
mealworms, mild grated cheese etc. should all be fine to help a developing
family. Avoid peanuts, fatty foods and bread."
