[Elizabeth Bigg]

The female bluetit in one of our nestboxes vanished on April 25th, at the time we were expecting that she would start laying. Her partner called for her for several days, even going in to the box, and he still visits occasionally.

Other birds have taken a look too - and yesterday the cameras caught an interesting sequence. One bluetit went inside the box and had a good look round, and as he emerged another bluetit was standing on the roof, fluttering her wings - so of course he accepted her invitation and promptly mated with her. It was over very quickly, then he went to the other side of the roof - where he bowed to her and fluttered his wings.

Surely it is too late for them to start a family now - and would a ready-made nest be accepted anyway?

[Marmot]

Hi Elizabeth,

I thoughly enjoy watching the goings on in the nestbox, lets hope something happens.

[Elizabeth Bigg]

Thanks, Marmot - I think it's unlikely that anything will, but we shall certainly be keeping the cameras switched on. We think the chicks' eyes are beginning to open in Box2, and they are getting very active in between their resting periods.

[pauco]

Originally Posted by Elizabeth Bigg

The female bluetit in one of our nestboxes vanished on April 25th, at the time we were expecting that she would start laying. Her partner called for her for several days, even going in to the box, and he still visits occasionally.

Other birds have taken a look too - and yesterday the cameras caught an interesting sequence. One bluetit went inside the box and had a good look round, and as he emerged another bluetit was standing on the roof, fluttering her wings - so of course he accepted her invitation and promptly mated with her. It was over very quickly, then he went to the other side of the roof - where he bowed to her and fluttered his wings.

Surely it is too late for them to start a family now - and would a ready-made nest be accepted anyway?

Hi Elizabeth, i would say its not to late, and yes a ready made home would be used. Isay this only because last year freind's of our's had given up hoping for the bluetits to nest, there was an old nest that had been built months prior, and a pair mated and used this as late as early june. so fingers crossed.
bert.

[Elizabeth Bigg]

Originally Posted by bert

Hi Elizabeth, i would say its not to late, and yes a ready made home would be used. Isay this only because last year freind's of our's had given up hoping for the bluetits to nest, there was an old nest that had been built months prior, and a pair mated and used this as late as early june. so fingers crossed.
bert.

Thanks for the encouragement Bert - but there has only been one visit in the box today.

[Michael Frankis]

It'll take at least a day or two, maybe several (don't know for sure!) for the eggs to develop, and in that time they won't visit the nest much to avoid giving its location away to any potential watching predators

I'd guess they'll lay just a small brood, maybe 3 or 4 eggs, rather than a big clutch typical of earlier nests

Michael

[Elizabeth Bigg]

I hope you are right here Michael - it would be good to have another family to watch. However in past years the female has roosted in the box for some while before the first egg is laid - for as long as 3 weeks one year!