Blogs

I'm pleased to announce that the red kite nest camera is back up and running, with three fluffy chicks on the nest. They look to be about a fortnight old and we look forward to watching them grow up, probably leaving the nest towards the end of July. As well as showing the footage in the RSPB shop, if you want to sit and watch the birds we will be opening up the Big Barn (subject to availability) and have seats in there.

 The blue tits are doing well, all eight chicks are still alive, well and hungry. But we don't think it will be long now before they leave the safety of the nestbox for the big wide world. other broods around the site have already begun leaving the nest. We just had to rescue a brood which somehow managed to get into the children's toilets and couldn't get back out again. But they are free now and flying around the site.

Great news from the blue tit nest camera. For the last day or two mum has been getting increasingly restless on the nest. Then this afternoon when she moved over to take some food from her partner, we saw a little pink squirming blob, in amongst the eggs. The first of the chicks. Its already been begging for food and been fed. Although the parents do sometimes seem a bit nonplussed by its appearance.

One out, seven to go!

No, not a new item on the menu of the Top Lodge cafe. But instead a reference to a new visitor to the pool in front of the wildlife hide. A pair of mandarin ducks (mandarin, orange.... oh suit yourselves) have been frequently spotted. These ducks were originally brought over from asia as exotic additions to the ornamental lakes of big houses. However they often escaped and now there is a sizeable population living in the wild. The males are very noticeable with their fancy feathers, and really do add a spalsh of colour.

No news on the red kite camera yet, we are waiting for the Forestry Commission to finish setting it up. However the blue tit camera is still going with mum sitting on a total of eight eggs now. It can't be too long before they start hatching and the serious business of feeding all those hungry mouths begins.

I am pleased to announce that our blue tit family just expanded. The female had been spending longer and longer in the box and when she came off the nest today we saw six lovely little white eggs.

 Keep tuned for more blue tit news, and hopefully soon the kite camera will also come online.