It matters not if you are a dedicated twitcher, or an interested 5 year old, we all get captivated when we see things that we are not normally able to see in every day life. We all get excited when we witness the birds returning to their nesting grounds, in trees, or better still across the road in the eaves of houses where we can watch them come and go.How good do we feel when we see the fledglings leaving the nest for the first time, having been nurtured by their parents, and become able to leave the nest.
Sadly that is as much as we are normally able to see, but wouldn't it be good to see more?
Watching the hatching and rearing of chicks through a bird box camera is an experience like no other, as you see the nest being built, the eggs laying, incubation, birth, feeding and then leaving the nest.
Below is a fantastic insight into the behaviour of a Blue tit family. Although Brief, it gives a fantastic insight into watching birds in a their nesting environment, using a bird box camera.
The nest has been built, and overnight 3 more eggs have hatched, so we're up to five. Mum leaves nest for a short while and returns at end of clip to feed one of her Hungry chicks.
8-9 chicks now, and all starting to look very hungry!
Utter chaos in my box! There are 7 birds all fighting for very little space. Two or three are not doing too well, quite small compared to the others and getting very squashed - poor things. Camera has moved very slightly - nothing I can do about that of course.
BIG Babies Now - No room really. Surely they will be leaving soon. We have no room left!
Watch this as one of the babies does a 'number 2' which is taken immediately by one of the parents. This happens a LOT, and I had to share it with you! So clever...prevents any mess in the nest
Friday evening. Three babies left. The others must have flown off during the day. See how one is trying to build up the courage to leave, but doesn't quite make it! Moments later, I watched from the garden as he flew out for the first time, to join his parents and siblings in the tree at the back of the house!
Saturday morning. The last two are left in the nest. Here they are very busy getting their wings/feathers ready for flight.
