how long to make a nest? (1 Viewer)

put up a new box with a camera about 3 wks ago which was quickly occupied by Blue Tits.

been fascinating watching them build, starting with moss, then grass, now more grass & feathers, am guessing they're (say they, but one bird with a ring seems to have done bulk of the work) almost done since there's now an obvious small bowl shape in the middle.

no eggs yet, but given the amount of activity we're surprised how long it has taken them to make the nest from scratch.

anyone else with a camera who has seen this approx how long was it till they started laying? Is 2+ wks about the norm for them to build a nest?

They usually take a week or so to build, but may hold off on laying depending on the weather or other factors. The finished nest will be lined with feathers, hair and wool. Also, when they start laying, they lay 1 egg a day until they have a full clutch (could be 6, could be 14), and wont start incubating til they're all laid. During this period they might cover over the eggs while they're out of the box, so you may have a few eggs in there already but just can't see them. In Herts, I would expect them to start laying by next week.

My Blue Tits started building 03/03 last year and laid their first egg 11/04.
If your birds are bringing in feathers then this is the later stages of contruction.
By the way the Tit doing all the work is the female.
Have you got any pictures online?
Brett.
http://uk.geocities.com/[email protected]/nest_box.htm

nobby said:

My Blue Tits started building 03/03 last year and laid their first egg 11/04.
If your birds are bringing in feathers then this is the later stages of contruction.
By the way the Tit doing all the work is the female.
Have you got any pictures online?
Brett.
http://uk.geocities.com/[email protected]/nest_box.htm

Click to expand...

is only hooked up to the TV at the mo.

thanks for the info, wont have to be worried that there are no eggs for a while yet.