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Springwatch with Hellsbells


HellsBells said:
Spurred on by the Feed the Birds thread, I thought I’d share a few pics and videos of a pair of blue tits who have decided to nest in my front garden bird box.

This is George and Mildred:

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They’ve been building a nest since mid March. Mildred does most of it, and spent hours taking stuff in, then out again then back in. She’s very fussy. At one point I wondered if she was bringing it in and another blue tit was stealing it, because it wasn’t getting any bigger.

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Finally last week the nest started to look like it was taking shape.

She even brought in what looks like red feathers at the weekend - no idea where she got them from:

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On Monday she spent most of the day making sure the nest “cup” was perfect.


And then finally, yesterday, we woke up to see this:


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I’ve been Googling a lot - apparently blue tits lay one egg every day, first thing in the morning. They lay up to 10 eggs, then incubate them for 16 days, at which point George will bring caterpillars to feed Mildred while she sits. George could have a few lasses on the go at once apparently.

The babies will be ready to leave the nest after three weeks. I’m not getting hopes up, as many will die, but it’s quite fun watching them. I’ll post updates as we go.

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Nice.
Although just a snack for much more interesting Species like Sparrowhawks ;)
 
Stubbs ftm said:
Greenfinches and gold Finches are class, since lockdown I noticed we get loads in the garden. There was a big gang of them knocking about together over the winter, noisey beggers too
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Lovely birds aren’t they.
Mixed in with a few Chaffinchs.

Listening to a Black Cap in the garden this Morning.
Enjoy placing the bird to the sounds. Something that has stayed with me since a kid.
 
HellsBells said:
Spurred on by the Feed the Birds thread, I thought I’d share a few pics and videos of a pair of blue tits who have decided to nest in my front garden bird box.

This is George and Mildred:

Logon or register to see this image

You must be logged on to see media items

They’ve been building a nest since mid March. Mildred does most of it, and spent hours taking stuff in, then out again then back in. She’s very fussy. At one point I wondered if she was bringing it in and another blue tit was stealing it, because it wasn’t getting any bigger.

You must be logged on to see media items

Finally last week the nest started to look like it was taking shape.

She even brought in what looks like red feathers at the weekend - no idea where she got them from:

You must be logged on to see media items

On Monday she spent most of the day making sure the nest “cup” was perfect.


And then finally, yesterday, we woke up to see this:


Logon or register to see this image


I’ve been Googling a lot - apparently blue tits lay one egg every day, first thing in the morning. They lay up to 10 eggs, then incubate them for 16 days, at which point George will bring caterpillars to feed Mildred while she sits. George could have a few lasses on the go at once apparently.

The babies will be ready to leave the nest after three weeks. I’m not getting hopes up, as many will die, but it’s quite fun watching them. I’ll post updates as we go.

Click to expand...
That’s brilliant
 
Got a good photo of her sleeping today - she puffs up her feathers overnight, I imagine to trap air and keep her warm. Every morning she deflates again before she leaves the box.


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Anyway, looks like we have three eggs this morning. Not sure when she is going to stop - apparently we can end up with ten or more.
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Swindon On Tour said:
Spot on mate.
Greenfinches are prone to disease. The biggest killer coming from contaminated bird food put out by humans.

Make sure old nuts and seed are discarded and wash feeders regularly.
Lovely to see a decent population in my garden. They have taken a big decline in numbers.
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This is a bit worrying. The body was quite close to our bird feeder. The nuts and seeds don't last more than a day or so, but we have had some of those lard ball things out since about January. Could that be a cause?
RTGAdmin said:
Cats nearby?
Click to expand...
There are, but there wasn't a mark on the body. No blood, no feathers out of place, nothing.
 
Mantobar said:
Heard a woodpecker this morning in Barnes Park
Dawn chorus lovely to hear
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I had a woodpecker at allotment last year. First time in fifteen or so years and it made my week let alone my day. Hadn't been that excited about wildlife since I saw two kingfishers by the town river on my way to feed the ducks few years back. There is also an albino blackbird there but I haven't been lucky to see it yet.
 
Hettonlass said:
7-13 eggs
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Skippy said:
This is a bit worrying. The body was quite close to our bird feeder. The nuts and seeds don't last more than a day or so, but we have had some of those lard ball things out since about January. Could that be a cause?

There are, but there wasn't a mark on the body. No blood, no feathers out of place, nothing.
Click to expand...

Don’t think the Greenfinches would take the fat balls mate.
Give the feeders a decent clean in a bucket of bleach.

Could have flown into the window?
 
Swindon On Tour said:
Don’t think the Greenfinches would take the fat balls mate.
Give the feeders a decent clean in a bucket of bleach.

Could have flown into the window?
Click to expand...
Nowt round here touches fat balls apart from our lass . As per your instructions Ive stood in the f------- freezing cold ,cleaning and replenishing the feeders . Niger seeds and black sunflower seeds .Just had our first green finch of the year .
 
Last edited:
HellsBells said:
Got a good photo of her sleeping today - she puffs up her feathers overnight, I imagine to trap air and keep her warm. Every morning she deflates again before she leaves the box.


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Anyway, looks like we have three eggs this morning. Not sure when she is going to stop - apparently we can end up with ten or more.
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Click to expand...
We spent a May bank holiday weekend watching Blue Tits in a nest box and we thought that there were about ten chicks. When they hatch it is a constant stream of the parents going out for food and when they return you have to try to quickly count the gaping beaks hoping to be the lucky chick that wins the booty. The parent then flies off with a sac of shit. Rinse and repeat. Then with no warning the chicks fledged and the nest was empty one morning. It was strangely hypnotic and we couldn't stop watching.
 
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