During a break from gardening over the weekend I managed a few quickly taken shots to confirm that our pair of Blue Tits are now actively feeding their tiny youngsters inside the nest box.
On most visits with a juicy meal both the male and the female flew directly into the box and then reappeared more often than not with the usual 'poop' sack which they drop as far away as possible to ensure that there is no evidence near the nest site for predators to find.
Waiting for a call from inside the box before entering with another meal. As the chicks grow the frequency of visits will get very frantic.
I thought one of the pair was just topping up its own internal reserves from the fatblock feeder but it actually took some of this mixture into the nest box.
While all this activity was going on one of the Ring-necked Parakeets perched high up on sentry duty but was fortunately looking in totally the wrong direction .....
For more images from around the world please look in on WORLD BIRD WEDNESDAY.
lovely little blue tits! so cute!
ReplyDeleteSuch fun to see the whole breeding process. Love the wispy yellow feathers on the Blue Tits.
ReplyDeleteThe parakeet looks quite regal against the sky.
Although I'm not a fan of pigeons I have to say this is a gorgeous headshot.
Another beautiful series. I particularly like the inherent charm in the Blue Tit shots. Wonderfully intimate shots.
ReplyDeleteLove this series, Frank. That Pigeon shot really pops.
ReplyDeleteHi Frank
ReplyDeleteBlue Tits are such charming birds. As common as they are, I never tire of watching them.
I had a pair of BT last year that fed suet to the fledglings. It worked, they all flew the nest.
I have to say I was quite surprised.
That pigeon shot is great....something about it just made me smile.
Great series Frank. Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
ReplyDeleteGreat post Frank! The Blue Tit is similar to our Chickadee.
ReplyDeleteGreat to see all is going well with the Blue Tits.
ReplyDeleteLovely images of your birds Frank.
ReplyDeleteMy new nestbox has not been used but I have House Sparrows galore so breally pleased.
it wont be long now Frank until all the young are clambering about on your peanut feeder!
ReplyDeleteThe Blue Tits are beautiful and so cute. Nice photos of them going to and from the nest.
ReplyDeleteThe tits are really cute!
ReplyDeleteHow sweet! The blue tit is also to be found here, but the parrot is not :)Must be lovely to have them around :) Beautiful pictures!
ReplyDeleteHi Frank...Isn't it a joy to watch the birds knowing that you had a bit of a part in there life !! : }
ReplyDeleteI am so glad that they do drop the "Poop" sack out away, but I sometimes wonder if I might be a target!!!
Keep working that garden..want to see Clematis!!
Sounds like a lot of activity in your garden. Great photos and story about the Blue Tit.
ReplyDeleteThe poor old Blue Tits are looking a bit ragged now Frank as they never get 5 minutes to themselves now.
ReplyDeleteWonderful shots of the Blue Tits. And I really love the parakeet.
ReplyDeleteGreat post and photos.
Lovely shots of the Blue Tits Frank. They do work hard, don't they.
ReplyDelete...the little mama and papa are looking a bit bedraggled now! I loved your photos of the hardworking pair.
ReplyDeleteThanks Theresa. I just hope I'm around when the youngsters fledge the box.
ReplyDeleteThank you Carletta.
Cheers Tim. Sat for an hour or so pm today and failed totally as the didn't stop to rest anywhere!
Hi Mona. I'd be happy if Mr.P popped somewhere else .. they are eating me out of house and home!!
Hi Cheryl. Yes, very endearing. Wouldn't be the same garden without them. I'm sure the adults know what is safe and right for the little ones.
Cheers Gary,
MainBirder. John, I think our Coal Tit is probably a much closer match.
Midmarsh John. Yes, testing time for the adults and hpefully all will work out for their brood.
Hi Andrew. It may take a while but I'm sure the Blue Tits will take up residence one year.
Hi Warren. They'll have to keep a wary eye out for the Magpies and Parakeets!!
Thanks Mick.
They sure are Kah-Wai-Lin.
Hi Fjallripan. The Parakeets add some exotic colour but they can be destructive and are very greedy and noisy.
Hi Grammie. An absolute delight to have them share our space (or is it vica versa?) I'll fit the Clems in sometime soon .. don't get impatient now!
Hi Ryan. Plenty of action to keep us interested.
Hi Roy. They'll be glad of some 'R and R' before much longer.
Thanks very much Eileen.
ReplyDeleteCheers Keith. There's no way I could keep up that level of activity ..lol.
Hi Kelly. I have no idea where they find the stamina for such a small species ... in and out every few minutes at the moment.
Sweet post Frank. I'm hoping I get a few nesters around here too and share in the fun!
ReplyDeleteWonderful shots of the Blue Tits.
ReplyDeleteLots of activity going on in your garden for sure!
I must say, your header is fabulous!
I absolutely adore blue tits and am so glad you are hosting a nesting pair.
ReplyDeleteIs the Parakeet a pet escapee? Surely they are not native to England.
Hi there - great set of pictures - We don’t tend to get as many small birds like the BT's here - which is a shame really. I always did think that they were real characters. Once spend a very busy few days ringing all the BT chicks in a country park nr. Gateshead - that was about the only time I got fed up with seeing these little birds!
ReplyDeleteCheers - Stewart M - Australia
Thanks Springman. Look forward to seeing what species nest in your locality.
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting Marissa. The House Sparrows were busily feeding a couple of youngsters this morning, so all a go go here.
Hi Arija. Feral population of Ring-necked Parakeets (est. 4200 breeding pairs in 2002) in south-east UK established from introduced / escapees during 1960's. May turn out to be a bigger pest than Canada Geese!
Hi Stewart M. In my opinion the BT's are on a par with the Robin for their charm. Just spent another hour this am watching their activities.
Great pictures. I love the faint blues of this great tiny bird. I agree with your header - and spent maybe too much time in the wilds.
ReplyDeleteAdorable pictures! I find it very interesting about the (feral) parakeets!
ReplyDeleteThe Blue Tit is such a cute little bird. Nice shots of all their activity. I didn't know about the feral Parakeet problem; interesting - what occurs when Man interferes with Nature, intended or not. That pigeon shot is excellent!
ReplyDeleteI love blue tits, they're such birds of character and your photos are excellent!
ReplyDeleteYes you will have a whole yard full soon as those chicks fledge--great shots & of the parakeet and the pigeon as well!!
ReplyDeleteDelightful photos of the Blue Tits Frank! Loved the 'bemused' Pigeon too :)
ReplyDeleteFantastic images. Tits are one of my favourite birds!
ReplyDeleteHi Bill S. Those blues will get fainter and scruffy with all their breeding activity. Hey, you can't ever spend too much time with the wildlife here or in Idaho.
ReplyDeleteHi Karen. Thanks. I must do a post on the greedy green machines sometime!
Hi Pat. Yes, we humans have a lot to answer for.
Hi Crafty Green Poet. Appreciate your visit and comment Juliet.
Hi Sondra. But will I be ready to see them fledge the nest is the question!
Thanks Jan. I'm hopeful of getting so more action as things progress.
Hi joo. Delighted to share one of our joint favourites. Take care.
The Blue Tits are just beautiful!
ReplyDeleteah, I thought the blue tit was a young one. It is so fluffy. Nice to follow the event. :)
ReplyDeleteThe blue tits are so lovely, and how cool that you'll have a pair nesting nearby! And love that ring-necked parakeet. That is one fantastic backyard bird to see!
ReplyDeleteHi Mama Zen. Thanks for your visit and comment.
ReplyDeleteHi NatureFootstep. No youngsters outside the box yet, but it won't be too long.
Hi Pat. The BT's have used this particular box on and of for at least 10 years. The Parakeet may be good to look at but they are exceptionally greedy feeders ..lol.
The blue tits are really cute! They have personality. How great to watch them from the beginning.
ReplyDeleteI was surprised at the parakeet. You are in England right? I wouldn't have thought they'd be there.
Lovely lovely post.
Thanks to Blogger's ineptitude the following readers comments had disappeared but I have recovered them from my in-box:
ReplyDeleteMama Zen said:
The Blue Tits are just beautiful!
Pat Ulrich said:
The blue tits are so lovely, and how cool that you'll have a pair nesting nearby! And love that ring-necked parakeet. That is one fantastic backyard bird to see!
NatureFootstep said:
ah, I thought the blue tit was a young one. It is so fluffy. Nice to follow the event. :)
AND here are my replies (also deleted / lost by Blogger)
Hi Mama Zen. Thanks for your visit and comment.
Hi NatureFootstep. No youngsters outside the box yet, but it won't be too long.
Hi Pat. The BT's have used this particular box on and of for at least 10 years. The Parakeet may be good to look at but they are exceptionally greedy feeders ..lol.
I have also found the following LOST comments:
ReplyDeleteSondra said:
Yes you will have a whole yard full soon as those chicks fledge--great shots & of the parakeet and the pigeon as well!!
Crafty Green Poet said:
I love blue tits, they're such birds of character and your photos are excellent!
ShySongbird said:
Delightful photos of the Blue Tits Frank! Loved the 'bemused' Pigeon too :)
joo said:
Fantastic images. Tits are one of my favourite birds!
My responses to the LOST comments were as follows:
ReplyDeleteHi Bill S. Those blues will get fainter and scruffy with all their breeding activity. Hey, you can't ever spend too much time with the wildlife here or in Idaho.
Hi Karen. Thanks. I must do a post on the greedy green machines sometime!
Hi Pat. Yes, we humans have a lot to answer for.
Hi Crafty Green Poet. Appreciate your visit and comment Juliet.
Hi Sondra. But will I be ready to see them fledge the nest is the question!
Thanks Jan. I'm hopeful of getting so more action as things progress.
Hi joo. Delighted to share one of our joint favourites. Take care.
Hi Sallie. And I spent another hour or so watching them today.
ReplyDeleteYes, I am in England WITH the Parakeets .. an exploding feral breeding population since the 60's!!