Yesterday we saw two Blue Tit eggs on the screen when we switched on the nest box camera. Eggs take 24 hours form so she must have laid the first on the 25th (they tend to cover them up during the day before they start incubating and they are not always easy to spot! Today there were three :)
Sorry not very good photos as I took photos of the tv screen and the camera tends to pick up the pixels.
We've had Blue Tits nesting in the garden for over 35 years - we put up nest boxes when we first moved in but I've only kept dates of egg laying since we had the nest box with camera as I have never wanted to disturb the birds.
The dates when the first egg was laid are as follows - its interesting to note that the 25th seems the most common date!
2010 28th April
2011 25th April
2012 25th April
2013 25th April
2014 14th April - this was the year when 10 eggs were laid (usually its around 5 or 6)
2015 ~17th May - very, very late
2016 25th April
Wonderful to see Caroline and interesting to read the different dates for the first eggs. It is amazing how consistent, by and large, the dates are. I wonder why they were so late last year?
ReplyDeleteThanks David. Last year was strange - I had a look at the time at the New Naturalist "British Tits" book which seemed to suggest that 2nd broods or attempts were very unusual for Blue Tits. I suppose the birds factor in various conditions like temperature, caterpillar availability but as you remember last year was a disaster! :(
DeleteThat's interesting about the date - do they know something that we don't?! It's great that you keep a record and that you can watch what's going on with the webcam. I like the moth on the previous post and you've reminded me that I keep forgetting to put the moth trap out! :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks Mandy - it does make you wonder! Haven't had my moth trap out now for a week (wet/cold!). Will try one night this weekend.
DeleteThis is good news and great to see the records over the years, my Blue tits have still been busy building and are getting use to us been out in the garden when they want to go in the box.
ReplyDeleteI'm thinking it was the male, he would stand on top of the box calling or peck at the entrance to encourage the female in. One bird seems to bring the most nesting material in, they have been gathering the fluffy seeds of the Willow tree, looks like this is the final stage lining the nest. Fingers crossed as it will be the first time Blue tits have nested in the garden.
Look forward to seeing yours hatch.
Amanda xx
Thanks Amanda - that is great news about your Blue Tits and sounds very promising. Do hope the attempt is successful and you can watch them going in and out feeding the young.
DeleteShould really have done an update post on here - will try and do one soon but she laid 9 eggs in total and is now incubating. They should hatch Sunday/Monday. I think the wren is incubating eggs too in the nest in ivy on the patio but I daren't look in case I scare her off. I only ever seem to see her return to the nest not leave!