| Joined: | Thu Apr 19th, 2012 |
| Location: | United Kingdom |
| Posts: | 4428 |
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I was excited to see our blue tits frantically delivering food to the nest box outside our kitchen window this morning. They were frequently stopping at the entrance of the nest box and not going in. It’s seemed likely they were about to fledge. We did see them take out 4 poo bags, so I was hopeful I could catch 4 fledging at least.
I set my video camera up and had the A1 (with 800mm) ready on a tripod (for once!). That’s when the doorbell rang and a large parcel ( a new recliner for the conservatory) arrived. I quickly unpacked it and assembled it, having done another such chair a couple of weeks ago. Jan then reminded me I needed to cut down the box to accommodate 2 lamps being collected by courier next Wednesday. Not sure why I chose to do it then, rather than Tuesday evening… but I did!
Returning to my kitchen seat some 45mins later, I discovered the video camera battery had died and stopped recording. And there was complete silence. Not a single dickie bird….all gone. The male parent came back a couple of times with food and was perplexed no one was there to take it. Clearly Simple Simon.
I opened up the nest and was delighted to see there were no dead birds this year. Maybe the wet weather had reduced the number of eggs this year? But I was delighted to see that whatever number they had…..they all fledged. Just a bit miffed I and the cameras missed the moment.
My birder mate Mike reassured me that blue tits usually fledge early morning. So maybe I was seeing the parents frantically trying to get a tail-end Charlie to come out ….and I was too late anyway. Still there’s always next year.
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At least the Robin has seized "this nettle, danger".
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Last edited on Fri May 24th, 2024 23:11 by
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Eric