Week 5 - 30th April 2006

We expected to see a seventh egg on the last day of the month but Fidge had covered her eggs before she left the nest box that morning so we couldn't see them. However, on 1st May 8 eggs were visible, then 9 the day after and finally 10 the day after that (3rd May). After laying the tenth egg she left the nest as usual but later in the morning returned and started to incubate the eggs.

Fudge - her mate - frequently returns to the nest with food for Fidge, usually a sunflower heart but rarely one from our garden. At times, however, she appears to become impatient, especially if the interval between his visits has lengthened, and she will leave the nest and feed herself - often taking a sunflower heart from one of our feeders then eating it in the shelter of one of the bushes before returning to the nest. She leaves at other times too, presumably when nature calls!

While in the nest box she spends most of her time either incubating the eggs or titivating the nest. When incubating, she is often just sat there, apparently looking into space, perhaps counting the cracks in the walls, or preening and head scratching. Sporadically, but frequently, she will tidy the nest cup, nibbling at the lining and sometimes going "bottoms up" as she pays attention to the floor of the cup, moving the eggs as necessary. Occasionally, she has a really good scratch and preen and to do so will stand on the edge of the nest, stretching her legs and wings too.

1st May - 8 eggs	2nd May - 9 eggs
3rd May - 10 eggs	Incubation starts on 3rd May
Food arrives by courier	Fidge preening