Bird-Cam

Well that’s nature…It’s the survival of the fittest

Over the last week we have lost some of our blue tit chicks!

Of course we will never really know why but this year there has been a bit of a divide between chicks, those that seemed to thrive and get bigger and more weaker chicks that have now died. Maybe there aren’t enough caterpillars about to feed a whole family of chicks.
The recent unusually hot weather didn’t help either as our garden is south facing and gets very hot! The chicks seemed to be struggling in the heat so one day my wife constructed a parasol to keep them in the shade, the parents thankfully seem totally unfazed by this structure and are happily still feeding the 3 remaining chicks

Almost half a dozen!

As the blue tit continues to lay an egg a day on day 5 we are now up to 5 eggs. Here you can see the blue tit bedding the eggs down into the nest and then sitting on them, after the usual feather flapping!

First egg has landed!

About 5am this morning our first egg was laid!

Last years first post about eggs was on the 25th April so it’s fairly consistent!

Bird Nest Building Continues

Below is a video from this morning as the blue tit carries on with the building of the nest.

She fluffs up the material, then pats it back down with her wings. She doesn’t seem keen on a couple of pieces of material so takes them out!

Nest building update!

Well nest building is coming along rather well. Lots of daily activity from the blue tit bringing in new nesting material and flapping it down!

10 min capture back on line

I’ve got the camera capturing a snapshot about every 10mins and it can be see here -> http://www.bird-cam.co.uk/live-bird-cam-images

Will bring the live streaming back up once activity increases!

New Camera Installed

New camera finally arrived and has been installed. Unfortunately I’m sturggling get the live stream back up on line but will work on it this week. Currently we are seeing a brief visit each morning around 10am with a bird coming int to check out the bird box.

New Camera on Order

Have ordered a complete replacement camera, cables and power supply so we will get the live camera back up as soon as humanly possible!

Bad News – Camera Not Happy!

Oh dear after clearing the bird box out today and firing up the camera there appears to be an issue with the camera somewhere!

I put a hose fitting in to get the focus correct but the camera picture is all wavey! Am in the process of ordering a replcament!

RSPB – Big Garden Birdwatch

What is the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch?

The RSPB is hoping that 500,000 people will get involved in their national garden birdwatch event taking place on the 30th/31st January.

Why are they doing it?

The event will record the patterns and numbers of birds visiting gardens around the UK and this data will help the RSPB focus their efforts when it comes to conservation.

What do I need to do to get involved in the Big Garden Birdwatch?

If you’ve got an hour available over the Big Garden Birdwatch weekend (30th and 31st January 2010) then simply click on the link below to find out more details and to register for the event.
RSPB – Big Garden Birdwatch Mini Site

As part of the event the RSPB is running an addiitional promotion for all new members who join the RSPB between 19th January 2010 and the 31st March 2010. New registrations will be able to choose a complimentary RSPB classic apex nest box which is normally sold at £11.99 as their introductory gift.

RSPB Yearly Membership Rates for 2010 are as follows:
Adult RSPB Subscription :- £36
Joint RSPB Subscription (for couples):- £46
Family RSPB Subscription :- £51
Children RSPB Subscription :- £15 per year for 1 child or £25 for 2 children (provided they live at the same address)

Click here for details of what the RSPB Membership Includes