we are lucky enough to have blue tits in 1 of our nest boxes, unfortunately not a camera type. what i want to know is do they employ some sort of delayed incubation? i ask because at the present time there are 7 eggs that seem to have been laid at a rate of 1 a day but the nest visited it seems quite infrequently during the day, are the early laid eggs now at risk with no bird sitting?
hello, your quite right, blue tits usually lay one egg a day, but don't start incubating them until all are laid, thats because they want them to hatch at the same time. i've got a blue tit nesting in a box with a camera, and has been doing the same as you described, visiting infrequently, even though there were eggs in the nest, but now that i think she's finished laying (10 eggs in our box) she's spending more and more time on the nest.
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regards
Kim
thank-you for your reply has certainly put my mind at rest,will b able to leave the kitchen window now.
recently i asked for a bit of info on the incubation of blue tits, i got a prompt reply which has proven to be on the money she's sitting
beautifully now & hardly leaves the nest box; further to that since my enquiry a pair of great tits have moved in to another box not 10 feet away, & as if it could'nt get any better, today i heard a cuckoo, the 1st 1 since 2010 would you believe, all the more surprising as i live rurally in detling kent, so as i say HAPPY DAYS.
That's good to hear Tiffy hopefully you will have a garden full of young soon
Regards Alan
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Hi Tiffy
Good news - Spring is such an exciting time of year - there seems to be a new revelation each day.
CJ
The tree which moves some to tears of joy is in the eyes of others only a green thing which stands in the way - William Blake
Yes fingers crossed, had nothing last year, a few nests started then abbandoned, not sure why, but things certainly looking up.
Oh how true. Even my beagle has a new lease of life, whereas a short while ago the walks seemed a bit mundane, now he's a puppy again & in to every nook n cranny; i cant get home from work soon enough to get out, despite the recent weather,
If you have a camera tiffy take some photos we would love to see some.
Good news Tiffy. I 'll look out for you and the beagle when I go that way. I live just down the road in south Maidstone.
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Please do & say hi, you will hear him though before you see me, not very condusive for wildlife watching i'm afraid