Late afternoon the male was on his usual perch. Shortly after the female left the box and the y flew off together, so hopefully nest building is done and she is laying eggs
Ray
a good laugh is better than a tonic
Ray all this is Fantastic !!!! how brilliant is it to have coal tits nesting !! it's just great. And your box idea is superb, I'd have never have thought of that, have just told hubby about it, I must do that, it's brilliant. I'm so pleased for you Ray, this is a wonderful thread, keep updating PLEASE ! :-)
The truth is I'm mad. We are all mad and many are too mad to know the truth.
Hi Ray good stuff, hope they keep with you! keep us posted ,it will be great to get shots of baby coal-tits leaving the nest
Regards Mick
Work is for those people that don't Bird-watch!!!!
been a couple of funny days weather wise, didn't see them at all yesterday but one flew into the box about 5pm today and left a few minutes later. Hopefully laying.
The nest sites must be very hard to find in the wild, So I feel really privelaged having them in my garden. The book says 2 broods so who knows
If all goes well will try and get more photos, hopefully taking food in for the chicks
and will be over the moon if I can get the young fledging but I know the chances are slim
That would be great if you could get them as they fledge Ray, but if not i hope you get them feeding in the garden.
Regards Alan
My photos are on Flickr and Website
Thanks Alan
If I do they will be on here
Hi Ray,
Just catching up with several threads some of which seem to drop off the home page really quickly.
The Coal Tit photos are lovely and you are so lucky to have them nesting close bye and can observe their behaviour. More pics of the young ones later in the year I hope.
We did have loads of CTs on the feeders until about mid March but they have all gone now presumably to nest etc.
I installed a nest box in the garden for the first time this year but no takers :(
Cheers, Claire
"The road of excess leads to the palace of wisdom" - Wlliam Blake
Hi Claire
Nothing bothered with this box last year so theres always hope.
Thank you everybody for your interest will do my best to keep updating
Haven't seen them for about 4 days so getting a bit worried, Just hope they are sitting and haven't noticed them
Sat for ages yesterday 14th and bingo one flew into the box 100mph stayed for about twenty minutes so still hopefull
RAY
Fingers crossed pal..i've got Blue tits feeding.
Havn't seen anything for ages now and needed to do a bit of work.
nothing flew from the box so was a bit worried.
Had a little torch and to my surprise saw two little eyes SO SHE IS SITTING ON EGGS.
work stopped immediately.
These birds are so secrative,Must be very hard to find a nest out in the woods. even its mate is keeping well away but must be about somewhere
Even the magpies aren't hanging around but sure they will be back when feeding starts but I'll be watching them lol.
The impression I get is that they will be good parents and they aren't disturbed by me going in and out of the shed.
I have fixed a screen in the greenhouse so hope fully may get some pictures but certainly won't interfere in any way.
Hiya Ray SNAP!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have not been around the gardens much lately ,busy at work and other stuff ,but imagine my surprise when I saw this one going in and out of the garage wall nest box ,the first time in 12 years we have had coal-tits in the box ,it's always been blue-tits ,she's feeding like mad so will hope for little un's soon ,got a couple of pics but will try to get more this wekend
Here she is having a clean out!!
and she's a bit quick for me here!!!
and not the best of shots ,but she's waiting to get into the box here. it was getting dark!!.
That's brilliant news Mick hope we get to see some of the young.
I've got to get a new shed later in the year i think i'll incorporate a nest box into a wall for next year.
Fantastic Mick
Mine is still sitting and saw the other knocking about this morning.
Looks like the boxes are attracting them.
Did one for the brother inlaw last week and he has bluetits looking round already.
Hope they will be feeding soon.
Just to let anyone know what to expect.
Nearly a week building the nest
After that they visit daily to lay, mine have been evening.
Can lay up to 10 eggs
Then you think you have lost them
Went ages without any sightings but found out she was sitting and incubation takes 14 to 18 days.
Mine will be due to hatch beginning of May, fingers crossed