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Message: <blockquote data-quote="scodger" data-source="post: 1870925" data-attributes="member: 26414">Tree Sparrow attacking Blue Tit broodHiI mentioned this in an earlier post where I flagged up the YouTube extract. I received the full length video of this now from Cliff and whilst it is not for the faint hearted it is really interesting from a behavioural point of view. I'll try to get the full video up on the internet somewhere as it needs to be seen in full to get the proper context. There is a remarkable and extended scuffle in the nest box with the first returning Blue Tit, which is joined briefly by the second Blue Tit. Despite this the second Blue Tit soon flees and the Tree Sparrow eventually turfs out the first Blue TitIt includes some typical display by a male Tree Sparrow at the the nest so clearly the intent here is to take over the nest. Whether the Tree Sparrows have lost a previous site and clutch, the male may have lost his original partner, or has just managed to get a partner a little late in the season, we'll probably never knowHowever the Tree Sparrow does leave and Cliff advises there was further chastisement by the Blue Tits outside the box, two young Tits reached the fledging stage but had some feather damage and it's not known whether they were successful after leaving the box.I am sending the video to J Denis Summer-Smith, author of the authoritative monograph The Tree Sparrow, who will I am sure give a full appraisal.Incidentally if you want to know a lot more about the Tree Sparrow his book is nearly sold out but I understand a very few copies still available from NHBS, I suggest you grab a copy because once out of print it will become expensive.Once the full video is on the net I'll let you know but please don't watch it if it might upset you, nature is redder in tooth and claw on our own doorsteps than we sometimes thinkIf anyone would like to report any Tree Sparrow sightings please do here<a href="http://www.treesparrows.com/sightings.php" target="_blank">http://www.treesparrows.com/sightings.php</a>I would also like to hear from anyone who has a camera on a Tree Sparrow box, or has footage of Tree Sparrows, or any other species, which roosts in their box outside the breeding season. Information on birds roosting in nestboxes is sparse, you might have some valuable information to shareThanksDavid</blockquote>

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