Well the Blue Tit's have fledged. The eldest decided to leave the nest at 9pm on Sunday 22nd May 2011. Exactly the same time that last years Blue Tit's fledged that I missed. I didn't miss it this time as both cameras were running.
The remaining two stayed in the nest box over night. The next to fledge left at 6.30am. The last fledged just before 7am today (Monday 23rd May 2011). I was outside collecting in the hedgehog bowls when I saw the last chick leave the nest. It didn't really fly away from the box it was more of a plummet. It landed behind my bin and then decided to get itself stuck behind the wormery. So I had to rescue it and place it under cover in the Rhodie bush.
Yesterday I thought that it was mum that was missing and that only dad was feeding the chicks. Now I have had the chance to check the footage it is in fact the other way round. It is mum that has been on her own since last Friday.
Mum has been back for food and I have seen her take food to the Rhodie bush and to one of the other trees close by. So she clearly knows where they are.
I may see them again coming in for food but won't know for definate as all baby Blue Tit's look the same.
Good luck little one's.
I'll be editing the footage as soon as possible and posting the fledging on here. The nest cam did record chick 4 dying but I will not be posting that footage.
Monday, 23 May 2011
Sunday, 22 May 2011
Not fledged yet.
The remaining 3 Blue Tit chicks are doing well. One of them has even been to the nest box entrance and had a look out. Don't think they will fledge today.
Worst news
I'm sorry to report that the youngest chick died at 10am this morning.
This does mean that when I post video footage of the remaining 3 chicks fledging you will be able to see the youngest chicks body. It is hard to see but this is the reality of these little birds lives. Only modern technology allows us to watch their lives and feel part of it.
This does mean that when I post video footage of the remaining 3 chicks fledging you will be able to see the youngest chicks body. It is hard to see but this is the reality of these little birds lives. Only modern technology allows us to watch their lives and feel part of it.
Not good news.
The Blue Tits haven't fledged yet. There is a problem. I've not seen mum since Friday morning. Due to this only dad has been feeding the chicks. This means that there is less food being taken to the chicks. As a result the youngest chick is struggling and I suspect will not make it.
This is the problem with cameras. You get to see events that normally you would know nothing about. You then have the dilemma of whether to interfere. The other 3 chicks are doing well. If I open the nestbox to rescue the youngest I run the risk of the other 3 fledging before their time. Therefore I have had to make the decision not to interfere and let nature take it's course.
I could be wrong and chick 4 could rally but I am not hopeful.
This is the problem with cameras. You get to see events that normally you would know nothing about. You then have the dilemma of whether to interfere. The other 3 chicks are doing well. If I open the nestbox to rescue the youngest I run the risk of the other 3 fledging before their time. Therefore I have had to make the decision not to interfere and let nature take it's course.
I could be wrong and chick 4 could rally but I am not hopeful.
Friday, 20 May 2011
The "cute" stage
The Blue Tit's are growing fast. They are reaching the stage were the are looking like very cute fluffy Blue Tit's. Mum has also stopped roosting with them overnight as they are now too big for her to sit on them. So they are curling up together in the nestbox.
Last night they couldn't settle at all and the eldest chick was fidgeting like mad. I suspect that those growing feathers really itch.
There is now a size difference between the first and last chick to hatch. However the youngest is doing well and doesn't seem that far behind. Mum and dad are ensuring that they are all fed.
Now the feathers are appearing they need to strengthen the wing muscles ready for that first flight. Without a nest camera this is something that you never get to see:
It won't be long and they will be leaving the nestbox. They have started today (20th May) to roam around the whole of the nestbox. They stay in the nest 18-21 days. Now the first chick hatched on 3rd May and the last on 5th May. I would hope that the time for fledging is taken from the last chick hatching but it has been warm and dry here plus the chicks have been stuffed full of mealworms and caterpillars by their parents.
So they could fledge anytime after Saturday 21st May. I am hoping that they will fledge at the weekend but I suspect they will wait until I am back at work on Monday. I hope to be able to set up an outside camera so that when they do fledge it is possible to have video footage from inside and outside the nestbox.
As the camera will be on 24/7 over the next few days (I missed the fledging last year and don't intend to do the same this year) I won't be able to update the blog until after they have gone.
There is now a size difference between the first and last chick to hatch. However the youngest is doing well and doesn't seem that far behind. Mum and dad are ensuring that they are all fed.
Now the feathers are appearing they need to strengthen the wing muscles ready for that first flight. Without a nest camera this is something that you never get to see:
It won't be long and they will be leaving the nestbox. They have started today (20th May) to roam around the whole of the nestbox. They stay in the nest 18-21 days. Now the first chick hatched on 3rd May and the last on 5th May. I would hope that the time for fledging is taken from the last chick hatching but it has been warm and dry here plus the chicks have been stuffed full of mealworms and caterpillars by their parents.
So they could fledge anytime after Saturday 21st May. I am hoping that they will fledge at the weekend but I suspect they will wait until I am back at work on Monday. I hope to be able to set up an outside camera so that when they do fledge it is possible to have video footage from inside and outside the nestbox.
As the camera will be on 24/7 over the next few days (I missed the fledging last year and don't intend to do the same this year) I won't be able to update the blog until after they have gone.
Monday, 16 May 2011
What is she feeding them??? plus night animal catch up.
Actually I know that she is feeding them caterpillars, bugs and mealworms. The odd spider is being brought in as well.
The growth rate in the Blue Tit chicks is amazing. Just to remind you the first born chick on 3rd May looked like this:
Just 14 days later :
All they want is food and mum and dad are doing a great job of feeding them. Despite there being 48 hours between the hatch of the first egg and the fourth the chicks are almost all the same size. This shows me that they are all getting fed regularly.
Not only are they getting bigger but they are beginning to develop into Blue Tit's. By 13th May you could hear them chirping in response to the parents. By 15th May their eyes are open:
Their feathers are also developing. Instead of being just a bundle of pink skin, small feathers are appearing and their wing feathers are starting to show. They don't look like feathers yet as they grow with a covering over them so they look like pins. The chicks will then preen this cover off letting out the feathers. This stage is known as "in pin". In the video below you can see the pins when the chicks stretches it's wing out.
Sometimes it is difficult to see all 4 chicks. But this morning it was clear that they were all hungry.
Mum and dad are great at finding bugs and caterpillars to feed the chicks. However I am giving them just a bit of help. In the early morning and evening I am putting out some live mealworms in a cage feeder. The Blue Tit's are taking advantage of this plus the local Great Tit's and House Sparrows.
Fairly certain that this is the same Great Tit as last year. Certainly very familiar with me and where the mealworms are likely to be. It's driving my local Magpie mad as he loves mealworms. So I have put some extra out by the apple tree.
Mum and dad outside. Mum is on the left and dad on the right. Mum is fluttering her wings at dad. This is part of the pair bonding and a way to encourage dad to get food.
Lots of chicks are now appearing. The Jackdaws have been nesting in the chimney pot on the house next door. Their two chicks fledged on Saturday 14th May. They are gorgeous.
In addition to all the day time wildlife I have been keeping an eye on whats appearing at night. The foxes and hedgehogs have been in as usual. My visiting female hog was in Saturday night. She had a few ticks on her that showed up on camera. She decided to spend the day in the hog house so I took the opportunity to check her over, remove the ticks and weigh her. She's a great weight (1125g) and curls up into a good round ball. Hedgehogs that curl up into a tear drop shape are underweight, likely to be dehydrated and need help. Hedgehogs out in daylight definitely need help and you should never see one sun bathing. If you see a hog out in daylight speak to a local wildlife rescue centre immediately for advice.
A different use for the kitchen scales.
A lot of people are concerned about foxes harming hedgehogs. However my night time visitors get on well.
Last night I managed to catch very unusual behaviour. Hedgehogs do something known as self-anointing. They will suddenly stretch out licking themselves. No one has a clear idea of why they do this but it seems to be triggered by smells or taste. I've read about it, seen pictures but last night I managed to catch this on video. Pity she wasn't a bit closer to the camera for a better view but you get the idea.
Here in the Southeast it has been really dry for the past 10 weeks. Just putting out a dish of fresh water each morning and evening can make a massive difference to your local wildlife.
As there are a lot of baby birds appearing please do not assume that they have been abandoned. You may see recently fledged birds on the floor. It is highly likely that the parents are nearby so do not interfere. If they are in a dangerous place then you can move them slightly so they are out of danger but other than that stay back and observe only. Almost always the parents will be back. If you are unsure contact your local wildlife rescue centre BEFORE you act for advice.
Please please please be very careful when gardening especially if you use a strimmer. Hedgehogs love hiding in long grass and many die very painful deaths as a result of strimmer injuries.
And lastly (lecture over) it is illegal to disturb a birds nest or a bat roost. There are many reports of baby birds going to rescue centres as home owners have decide to do work to roofs/lofts/gardens etc.
The growth rate in the Blue Tit chicks is amazing. Just to remind you the first born chick on 3rd May looked like this:
All they want is food and mum and dad are doing a great job of feeding them. Despite there being 48 hours between the hatch of the first egg and the fourth the chicks are almost all the same size. This shows me that they are all getting fed regularly.
Not only are they getting bigger but they are beginning to develop into Blue Tit's. By 13th May you could hear them chirping in response to the parents. By 15th May their eyes are open:
Their feathers are also developing. Instead of being just a bundle of pink skin, small feathers are appearing and their wing feathers are starting to show. They don't look like feathers yet as they grow with a covering over them so they look like pins. The chicks will then preen this cover off letting out the feathers. This stage is known as "in pin". In the video below you can see the pins when the chicks stretches it's wing out.
Sometimes it is difficult to see all 4 chicks. But this morning it was clear that they were all hungry.
Mum and dad are great at finding bugs and caterpillars to feed the chicks. However I am giving them just a bit of help. In the early morning and evening I am putting out some live mealworms in a cage feeder. The Blue Tit's are taking advantage of this plus the local Great Tit's and House Sparrows.
Fairly certain that this is the same Great Tit as last year. Certainly very familiar with me and where the mealworms are likely to be. It's driving my local Magpie mad as he loves mealworms. So I have put some extra out by the apple tree.
Lots of chicks are now appearing. The Jackdaws have been nesting in the chimney pot on the house next door. Their two chicks fledged on Saturday 14th May. They are gorgeous.
A lot of people are concerned about foxes harming hedgehogs. However my night time visitors get on well.
Last night I managed to catch very unusual behaviour. Hedgehogs do something known as self-anointing. They will suddenly stretch out licking themselves. No one has a clear idea of why they do this but it seems to be triggered by smells or taste. I've read about it, seen pictures but last night I managed to catch this on video. Pity she wasn't a bit closer to the camera for a better view but you get the idea.
As there are a lot of baby birds appearing please do not assume that they have been abandoned. You may see recently fledged birds on the floor. It is highly likely that the parents are nearby so do not interfere. If they are in a dangerous place then you can move them slightly so they are out of danger but other than that stay back and observe only. Almost always the parents will be back. If you are unsure contact your local wildlife rescue centre BEFORE you act for advice.
Please please please be very careful when gardening especially if you use a strimmer. Hedgehogs love hiding in long grass and many die very painful deaths as a result of strimmer injuries.
And lastly (lecture over) it is illegal to disturb a birds nest or a bat roost. There are many reports of baby birds going to rescue centres as home owners have decide to do work to roofs/lofts/gardens etc.
Monday, 9 May 2011
They are growing quick
The final total for the Blue Tit chicks is 4. There have been a couple of occasions (in particular Friday evening) when I thought there might be 5 but it was just a wing being waved around. Mum hasn't taken the un-hatched eggs out of the nest yet as she is too busy feeding the chicks. She will remove them before the chicks fledge as they will need all of the nestbox for room.
Both Mum and Dad are now coming in to feed the chicks. Dad will still prefer to pass the food to mum but if she is out hunting for food he will feed the chicks himself.
They will now grow at a very fast rate. They all appear to be around the same size so this shows that they are all getting their fair share of food despite the different times that they hatched.
The video below if from the evening of Friday 6th May 2011.
Whereas this second one is from the morning of Monday 9th May 2011. You can see how they have grown in that short space of time. They are all able to hold their heads up better although the eyes are still closed. Mum got a bit carried away with the caterpillar as you will see. It was far too large but eventually one of the chicks managed to swallow it.
Both Mum and Dad are now coming in to feed the chicks. Dad will still prefer to pass the food to mum but if she is out hunting for food he will feed the chicks himself.
They will now grow at a very fast rate. They all appear to be around the same size so this shows that they are all getting their fair share of food despite the different times that they hatched.
The video below if from the evening of Friday 6th May 2011.
Whereas this second one is from the morning of Monday 9th May 2011. You can see how they have grown in that short space of time. They are all able to hold their heads up better although the eyes are still closed. Mum got a bit carried away with the caterpillar as you will see. It was far too large but eventually one of the chicks managed to swallow it.
Friday, 6 May 2011
A lot in a short time
As of this morning there are 4 chicks in the nest. As mum is always sitting on the nest when the chicks hatch unfortunately you never get to see them actually breaking out of the egg. It is also difficult to judge exactly when another chick has hatched.
However on the morning of 4th May I caught this on camera:
Mum can clearly be seen taking a broken egg shell from the nest and eating it. This was chick 2 hatching. The parent will often eat the broken egg shell. Firstly because she does not want predators to be made aware of the location of the nest and secondly it is full of calcium so it's actually good for mum. You will sometimes see part of a broken egg shell on the floor however it will usually be nowhere near the actual nest site. Please be aware that it is illegal to take/retain any birds egg in this country.
I finally got a glimpse of chick 2:
Then on 5th May chick 3 arrived early in the morning:
Mum has been very good at feeding the chicks and dad will bring food to her in the nestbox. Mum will also go out and collect food and she will do this more frequently as the chicks get older and eat more. Dad will never feed the chicks himself. Dad will come to the nestbox entrance and call but will only come in and pass the food if mum is there.
The chicks currently have their eyes shut. They respond to noise and movement only. Mum will talk to the chicks when she has food for them and they respond by lifting their heads and having their beaks wide open. When chicks are in the nest and for a short time after they fledge they will have a yellow extended part to each side of their beaks. This is known as the gape. The reason for this is that birds such as Blue Tit's would normally nest in holes in trees. It's very dark in such a nest so the chicks have wider then usual beaks in bright yellow so that the parents can see where to put the food.
Below is a great view of the large beaks:
Mum will also remove poo from the nest. Blue Tit chick poo comes wrapped up in a little sack so it can be easily disposed of. When they are very young mum ofter eats the poo but as they get older she will remove it from the nest. It will be taken well away from the nest site (away from my garden) again to avoid predators being made aware of the nest site.
Watch carefully and you will see the chick move to show it's bum, mum take the poo and eat it:
At 6.15pm on 5th May mum left the nest and I could see that there were 4 chicks. You can tell which is the latest chick as he/she has a piece of egg shell attached to its head:
Mum comes back shortly after. She notices the poor chick with the egg shell, removes it from it's head and eats it.
As Blue Tit chicks hatch 13-15 days after incubation starts there is still the possibility of further chicks hatching today. However I suspect that 4 chicks will be the total. Mum will eventually remove any unhatched eggs from the nest. As the chicks get bigger they will need as much room as possible. The chicks are fed on mainly caterpillars. Blue Tit's will time their egg laying/hatching to coincide with the availability of that food. They will also bring in other food such as spiders. The chicks get all of the water that they need from their food as they have no access to water at all until they leave the nest.
They will grow very quickly and fledging will be around 30th May. They spend 19-21 days in the nest and will leave looking exactly like the adults.
However Mum and Dad will end up looking a mess. It takes a lot of effort to bring up the chicks and going in/out of the nestbox does not help their feathers. Mum in particular will look particularly tatty by the time that the chicks fledge. The parents will continue to feed the chicks out of the nest for a further 4-5 days and then the chicks are on their own. Mum and Dad will then get a chance to moult to replace those damaged feathers.
However on the morning of 4th May I caught this on camera:
Mum can clearly be seen taking a broken egg shell from the nest and eating it. This was chick 2 hatching. The parent will often eat the broken egg shell. Firstly because she does not want predators to be made aware of the location of the nest and secondly it is full of calcium so it's actually good for mum. You will sometimes see part of a broken egg shell on the floor however it will usually be nowhere near the actual nest site. Please be aware that it is illegal to take/retain any birds egg in this country.
I finally got a glimpse of chick 2:
Then on 5th May chick 3 arrived early in the morning:
Mum has been very good at feeding the chicks and dad will bring food to her in the nestbox. Mum will also go out and collect food and she will do this more frequently as the chicks get older and eat more. Dad will never feed the chicks himself. Dad will come to the nestbox entrance and call but will only come in and pass the food if mum is there.
The chicks currently have their eyes shut. They respond to noise and movement only. Mum will talk to the chicks when she has food for them and they respond by lifting their heads and having their beaks wide open. When chicks are in the nest and for a short time after they fledge they will have a yellow extended part to each side of their beaks. This is known as the gape. The reason for this is that birds such as Blue Tit's would normally nest in holes in trees. It's very dark in such a nest so the chicks have wider then usual beaks in bright yellow so that the parents can see where to put the food.
Below is a great view of the large beaks:
Mum will also remove poo from the nest. Blue Tit chick poo comes wrapped up in a little sack so it can be easily disposed of. When they are very young mum ofter eats the poo but as they get older she will remove it from the nest. It will be taken well away from the nest site (away from my garden) again to avoid predators being made aware of the nest site.
Watch carefully and you will see the chick move to show it's bum, mum take the poo and eat it:
At 6.15pm on 5th May mum left the nest and I could see that there were 4 chicks. You can tell which is the latest chick as he/she has a piece of egg shell attached to its head:
Mum comes back shortly after. She notices the poor chick with the egg shell, removes it from it's head and eats it.
As Blue Tit chicks hatch 13-15 days after incubation starts there is still the possibility of further chicks hatching today. However I suspect that 4 chicks will be the total. Mum will eventually remove any unhatched eggs from the nest. As the chicks get bigger they will need as much room as possible. The chicks are fed on mainly caterpillars. Blue Tit's will time their egg laying/hatching to coincide with the availability of that food. They will also bring in other food such as spiders. The chicks get all of the water that they need from their food as they have no access to water at all until they leave the nest.
They will grow very quickly and fledging will be around 30th May. They spend 19-21 days in the nest and will leave looking exactly like the adults.
However Mum and Dad will end up looking a mess. It takes a lot of effort to bring up the chicks and going in/out of the nestbox does not help their feathers. Mum in particular will look particularly tatty by the time that the chicks fledge. The parents will continue to feed the chicks out of the nest for a further 4-5 days and then the chicks are on their own. Mum and Dad will then get a chance to moult to replace those damaged feathers.
Tuesday, 3 May 2011
Hatching Day is tomorrow
Blue Tit's require 13-15 days to incubate their eggs. All 8 eggs are still being incubating - that was the situation this morning. By this afternoon there were only 7 eggs.
And this is why:
The first chick hatched this afternoon at c3.15pm. This is only 12 days incubation. The 13th day is tomorrow - 4th May 2011. Fingers crossed there are more chicks to come. Mum has been brilliant and has been feeding the little one.
And this is why:
The first chick hatched this afternoon at c3.15pm. This is only 12 days incubation. The 13th day is tomorrow - 4th May 2011. Fingers crossed there are more chicks to come. Mum has been brilliant and has been feeding the little one.
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