Well after a very upsetting 2008 when all of the chicks died I am pleased to report that in 2009 all of the chicks have fledged.
We spent this afternoon watching as each chick fledged and left the nest. Each of the chicks would come to the mouth of the bird box and where calling their parents. The lack of response back seemed to be the push that the chicks needed to fledge the nest. The first few chicks took about an hour each but as the numbers dropped then they became quicker and quicker.
I managed to setup my video camera just in time to capture the last chick leaving the nest. So long blue tits, we hope you live long and prosper.
As any mother would tell you putting the kids to bed can be a real challenge. Once you’ve put them down to sleep they get up and creep around, chicks are no different it would seem.
Unfortunately the disk drive ont he bird cam server filled up over night which has taken the operating system and therefore the live bird cam feeds are offline.
I will look at bringing it back up online tonight!
After the 5th chicks is born the video below shows the mother disposing of the now empty shell. She is very good with her feet and peak to polish off the shell!
To satisfy the hungry hordes both parents team up to do the round the clock feeding
After months of waiting I can confirm that this morning of the 7 eggs we currently have 4 chicks! Still hopeful that the remaining 3 will hatch shortly!
