Bird Box Diary 2004

It's January, 22nd and I am waiting to see any interest in the nesting box.  I was very late getting it cleaned out.  I should have done it in October or November but I never actually got round to it till last weekend.

I kept my eye on the box for a day or two beforehand, just in case I had a rooster in there already.  But no!

Now, I must be patient and hope that I haven't missed the boat.

I am pretty hopeful as we have had as many as nine bluetits around the feeders at one time recently.

Saturday, 28th February, 2004

I have been watching the box; off and on; for the last month and have been titless!.  However, today at 10.45, there was a BT in the box.  It only stayed a few seconds and had a quick look round before leaving.
I was busy on my computer and didn't have time to start the camera to get a picture.  However, this is what the box looked like from the outside after the snow that we had almost all day yesterday.

Wednesday, 7th April, 2004

I am afraid it looks like my box will be lying fallow this year.  I haven't seen anything inside the box since that first report back in February!
There was a ray of hope last Friday when I looked up from my sick bed to see a BT peering into the entrance hole and was quickly joined by another.  These two were then chased away by a third and that was the end!  I assume that the third BT has a site somewhere near and was concerned about the invasion of territory.  I have no idea where they may be nesting, though!

So... it looks like I shall be having an enforced rest from diary making for this year!  Shame!

Thanks for looking, anyway.  Try again next year?

Sunday, 25th April, 2004

There was recently some discussion on the birdwatching newsgroup (uk.rec.birdwatching) about the strange places that birds choose to nest.  This reminded me of these pictures that were taken by some friends from our archery club in Pembroke. 
They rely on bottled gas for fuel and heating and always keep a plastic bucket over the tank to protect it.  Last year, they removed the bucket so that they could change the gas bottle and found a nest of robin chicks underneath. They were thus unable to change the gas and managed without hot water till the chicks had fledged.

I am indebted to John and Ellie for the use of these pictures.