Bird Box Diary 2010

Friday, 30th April
 Normally, I aim to take down and clean my birdboxes in October or November.  This year, for a variety of reasons, mostly connected with the weather during the winter, I didn't get a chance until February this year.
I knew that I had a Bluetit roosting in there as I was able to check the camera from time to time.  Having found a reasonable morning to tackle the job, I removed the box, took out the old nest material, scrubbed the insides and then poured a kettle of boiling water in to destroy any parasites or their eggs.
I was very relieved to find the bird was not at all disturbed by this and was back roosting that evening.
By early April, a nest was being built.  At first, the amount of material was sparse and mixed but over time, she became more selective and it began to take shape.
On 8th April, I started the capture software and was lucky enough to get a sequence where the male came into the box with an offering of food, while she was there.  He was not welcomed and is seen to keep his distance to avoid her wrath!  Eventually, she accepted the 'gift' and continued with her chores.  On leaving, she decided to use her carpentry skills to enlarge the entrance hole. (I have been advised that she was probably testing the materials of the box to be sure that it would be safe from predation.  I stand corrected but still think she finds it easier to get in and out now!)
Click the images for a larger version
Over the course of the next few weeks, the nest has grown and almost covers the whole of the floor of the box.  On the 17th, I grabbed some video of her showing considerable indecision (or maybe it was 'taste'!) when she appears to be unable to decide whether to remove stuff she'd brought in or move it around to alter the ambience of her bijou home!  She takes some pieces out and then brings the same piece back again as if forcing it through the entrance hole will make it more supple and suitable.  She is seen to do this several times with one long strand. The video linked to the video icon shows this.  You will see how her 'shuffling' compresses the nest material into the sides and corners of the box.
On the 20th, She spent a good deal of time at the inside of the nest hole and was pecking vigorously.  I assume she was trying to enlarge the entrance.  I did grab this on video but it's not very interesting as it is just a long sequence of wood-pecking!
On the 26th April, I grabbed this short video of her adjusting her nest and compressing the sides.  You can see that it now offers more resistance as the nesting material, mostly moss, gets more compacted.  Prior to appearing, you will hear calls which I assume are to or from her mate.  He is has been very attentive since they first paired up.


Sunday, 2nd May

My little bird has caught me on the hop!  On Friday, when I checked the box, I could see what appeared to be an egg.  However, from past years, I have known that usually it is a bare patch on the floor of the box.  That is what I assumed this time as the nest looked far from completed; especially the nest cup.  Even yesterday when there appeared to be two bald patches, I didn't catch on but today, there is no doubt that she has now laid three eggs.  I just hope there is enough soft bedding under the eggs.

I wonder if she was also caught on the hop???  The picture on the left shows the 'bald patch! and on the right is a shot of three eggs.  The video shows her leaving the nest after some indecision about whether to make use of a nice soft feather!


Monday, 3rd May

It is very chilly today with a north-easterly wind.  It is now 5.45 pm and my little bird has come into the nest and is brooding the eggs.  I assume that she is aware just how cold it is and is just warming them up.  It is barely 10°C and with the wind chill feels sub-zero!
There are, however four eggs under her and an attentive 'spouse' who has been in four times in the last 30 minutes with food for her.  A 'New Man' (bird) Clearly!
Our little Vixen, Sam Fox, the one that was attacked by a badger a few years ago, has been coming over for supper and is clearly suckling cubs somewhere.  Her mate has also visited a couple of times.
You may remember our badger called Pinky.  She became very old and appeared to be very arthritic.  It was so sad to see her trying to get to the deck for food.  In spite of her pain, she remembered the social graces of badger society and would join in mutual grooming when a clan-mate arrived.  Here is a video of her last days.  We were really relieved when she didn't come back the day after this video.  Goodbye Pinky, old pal.

  



 Click an image for a larger version and the video icon to watch a video.  You may need a tissue when you watch poor Pinky!

I'd like to say "Hi" to Mrs Knapp's Third Grade students in Sunny Florida who are regular watchers.
Wednesday, 5th May

It is still pretty chilly but mostly dry.  There are now six eggs and the female has been sitting from time to time.  I assume this is still because of the temperature.
There was an interesting confrontation this morning between both Bluetits and a pair of sparrows.  I managed to grab a camcorder and get shots of what was happening outside and used the sound from the internal camera to edit events.  The sparrows appeared to intend to invade the nest box.  Both BTs attempted to repel boarders and the female ran the gauntlet to get into the nest to protect her eggs whilst the male tried to drive the sparrows.  From inside, the female is seen to call or hiss (I couldn't hear any sound but her actions suggest hissing) The male sparrow stayed on the roof for several minutes before giving up and moving off.  Shortly after the stand-off was over, life returned to normal and the male entered the box with food for his mate.

 
No larger image today

Click the icon for the video
Thursday, 6th May

It was only 8° C at 6.30 this morning so I wasn't surprised to see the female on the eggs.  In fact, she has hardly been off them all morning so I assume incubation has begun with seven eggs.  I managed to capture a sequence of the male coming in to give his mate a sunflower kernel.  She was not too pleased as she is unable to swallow it whole so had to leave the nest to find somewhere where she could perch, hold it with her claws and peck at it.  She clearly tries to find somewhere in the box to do it but gives up and leaves.
I have had one of my home-made mealworm feeders stocked with mealworms hanging on the Hawthorn tree for almost two weeks now and the BTs haven't yet shown any interest.  The sparrows are picking off the worms that make a break for freedom and the robins are just as frustrated at not being able to squeeze into the holes.  Each day I empty the ones remaining and add some new ones.

 


 
Friday, 7th May

I was quite surprised to find eight eggs this morning.  I assumed that incubation had begun with seven.  The male is still being very attentive but, still, neither bird has discovered the meal worms.  However, the sparrows are still picking them off and can get their heads into the holes and pluck stragglers off the inside wall.  They have already produced one brood as I saw a young sparrow chick on our kitchen patio.  It flew off but landed under the deck where it was vulnerable to predation by cats.  By walking across the deck, I persuaded it to fly to the fence at the bottom of the garden where it was joined by another chick and a couple of adult birds.  My fisherman's catapult, loaded with peanuts, is getting quite a lot of use, lately as it is used to repel cats; especially the ginger one from next door!

 

 

Saturday, 8th May

Another chilly morning; just 6°C at 6.30.  The female was sitting on the eggs when I first checked the box but later, I grabbed some video of her returning and then, a couple of minutes later, the male arrived with some food.  He is by far the most attentive male we have seen in the ten years that we have been watching.  I just wish he would learn from the sparrows and try a mealworm!

 

 



Sunday, 9th May

Global warming!  So why was it only 5° C at 6.15 this morning?  Sheesh!  I'm sure I saw a monkey in the garden searching for something!  I shot some video of one of our siskins this morning.  I had just tipped some mealworms onto the ground for the sparrows and they gobbled them up in short order.  When I came in, I reached for the camera to get them scoffing and saw this beautiful little bird.  I have edited a very short video of it.

 
Monday, 10th May

It was a balmy 7° C at 6 this morning and is now in double figures with Pembrokeshire-blue skies and bright sunshine.  The eight eggs are being turned and the male is popping in quite regularly.  I have put the mealworm feeder into a cleft in the hawthorn tree.  I am hoping that if it looks like a nesting hole, they may take a look.  It used to be hanging on a branch and swaying with the breeze.  The sparrows are still picking up morsels and get very irate when they can't get very far into the small holes!

Thursday, 13th May

Almost half way through May; mid-summer's day is five weeks away and it was 2°C this morning with white roofs and frosty grass.  Yesterday, we had hail stones!  What happened to "Sumer is icumen in, Lhude sing cuccu."  At least the sun is shining and it's warming up nicely so I'll go a clean the windows before it rains!  Meanwhile, all seems well in the box with two model BTs.

Monday, 17th May

The temperatures are now getting into double figures by nine o'clock and the BTs are still sitting and waiting.  I expect the first egg to hatch soon; maybe even on Wednesday.

 

Tuesday, 18th May

Still no chicks but it's all looking good.  The male is doing his duty and feeding his mate quite regularly.

I witnessed an interesting event this morning.  I walked into the kitchen window just in time to catch a pair of sparrows 'at it'  on our neighbour's roof!  It didn't last long but after a quick flap of the wings, he was back again.  Then again and again and again.....  In all, I counted nine times but I may have missed several beforehand. No wonder he was looking pleased with himself when he flew off.  She, however, stayed for a while to 'freshen up'!  Is this normal for sparrows?

Wednesday, 19th May

Hatching began yesterday afternoon.  When I saw the first chick it was about 5.00 pm.  This morning I could see three eggs left to hatch.  The male has been making frequent visits with food.  It is now 12.40 and I can see that the female has just been eating some shell and there are two eggs left.  The weather is mild, about 10 °C but very damp, misty and drizzly. Pictures and video to follow.
Saturday, 22nd May

All the eggs have now hatched and Summer has 'icumen in' It was 15°C outside and 22°C inside at 6.30 this morning.  Both birds are feeding regularly and we would like to nominate this male as The Best that we have ever seen!  The video shows three separate feeds filmed over a period of 4.5 minutes.  The first clip shows the female sitting and the male arrives with what appears to be a dried up mealworm.  A chick takes it and produces a faecal sac which is removed.  The next feed produces the same result but the third one is interesting.  The female arrives with a spider that has a large abdomen which proves to be too large for a chick.  She appears to try to squidge it smaller but, either it tasted too good or was considered unsuitable because she scoffs it herself and then settles down on the chicks again.

 


You can see the spider in her beak. Click for a larger version.

Click for video
Tuesday, 25th May

All the chicks are thriving and both parents are doing a great job.  The chicks have begun to get darker as their feathers begin to appear.
the video shows a typical visit:- gaping mouths, one fed, wait for package, remove package.


Click for a larger version.


 
Saturday, 29th May

The brood is doing really well and ear tufts are visible.  I can't see any eyes open, yet.  I grabbed some video this morning which shows one of the birds bringing in a large moth.  The moth appears to be flapping its wings, too.  The parent tries and tries to get a chick to take it but has little success.  It tries turning it round, squashing it and pushing without much luck.  Watch the eventual 'lucky' chick in the 5 o'clock position who finally manages to break the body from the wings but then chokes on that huge abdomen!  I was beginning to worry, fearing that the chick would choke, when the parent gave up and left with the remains.  Luckily, it returned after a short while, realised the chick was struggling and removed the body.  It then tried for over 90 seconds to get another chick to take it.  In the end, it flew off with it and probably ate it itself.  There are two images of the event and an edited video that cuts the 90 seconds when it tries other takers.

Click for a larger version.

Friday, 4th June

On Monday, my main computer died. This has set me back a bit.  I apologise for that.  I managed to salvage much of my data but that computer is dead!  The chicks have really developed well, with one exception.  The camera was linked up to a different computer on Wednesday and we were able to see chicks with their eyes open, feathers developed and lots of flapping going on.
Yesterday morning, Viv was working near the setup and heard a commotion.  At first, she thought the female was having a tussle with an intruder but, tragically, it turned out the she was actually trying to remove rather a large corpse.  She tried and tried to get it through the entrance hole without success.  I was able to switch on the capture software and edited the video.  We decided that we needed to intervene and remove the rotting body.  This box (Made by Handycam) has a top that lifts and an opening on the front that can be removed.  Our box is up under the eaves of the bungalow so there was no room to open the lid and get the chick out.  I watched and waited till I saw both birds fly off and then just undid both screws.  Once they had returned and fed the chicks, I dashed out, took the front off, grabbed the body and pushed the front back on.  The parents returned and all was well.  Finally, I screwed the front back on and all was back to normality very quickly.  The chick was not as well developed as most so I assume it was the last to hatch and was, therefore, almost three days younger and unable to compete for food.  There were no obvious signs for a cause of death.  The remaining seven chicks are looking very well but the difference between the first to hatch and the later ones is still very clear.

There is a picture of the chick in the nest.  I have enhanced just that part.  Click the picture for a larger version and the video icon to see an edited, shortened video of the whole gruesome event.  The dead chick was placed on the lawn to be 'recycled'.
 




Click for a larger version.
On Tuesday, Viv and I were in the back garden when she found a white spider.  I assumed it was an albino but Googling, I found it is a crab spider; Misumena vatia.  It really was a beautiful creature.  Each small image is linked to a larger one.

Click for a larger version.
Tuesday, 8th June

The last of the chicks fledged this morning at around 8.15.  Yesterday, four left in rapid succession leaving the three youngest behind till today.  The first two didn't wait too long before they, too, explored the big wide world. The last one needed a great deal of persuasion and tough love to get it to go.
It was really interesting to watch how it became more confident and its mannerisms and attitude appeared to change as it tested its wings and 'flew' from one side of the box to the other.  The parents made frequent visits and teased the youngster by not releasing the food but flying off with it again.  They called from outside, visited the hole, called again and, sometimes, fed the chick.  Finally, it left.
So that's it for yet another year.  We always feel bereft when they go as they become part of our daily routine for so many weeks.  I have edited a video of the last one leaving.  It is very much shortened as from the start of the capture to the time of leaving was over an hour.


Click for a larger version.