Nest Box Diary 2009

Week 1 - 5th April

In mid-March, both a pair of Blue Tits and a pair of Great Tits were showing interest in the nest box that is fitted with a wireless camera. This vying with one another continued for a few days. On 18th March, both the male and female Great Tit spent several minutes inside the box and the male eventually passed a small piece of dried grass through the hole to the female inside.

Until the 10th April, both Great Tits were seen occasionally visiting the nest box. The female was seen (and heard) tapping away at the hole, chipping off bits of wood. She then spread these wood chips to the sides of the box by shuffling and spreading her wings, and pushed them into both the drainage holes in the corners of the box and the gaps between walls and floor using her bill.

On 11th April the first dried grass was brought into the nest box by the female. This was placed around the edges of the box and then pressed into the sides, again by shuffling about and spreading her wings. Some stubborn pieces, which didn't go where she wanted them, appeared to be nibbled and bent or simply discarded through the hole.

The female Great Tit visits for the first time (18 March)	A further inspection by the female (10 April)
Shuffles and flutters, spreading saw dust (10 April)	Saw dust around edges and in corners (10 April)
Female adds more material (11 April)	By the end of the day (11 April)