Look at the [blue] tits on this!!

[RioRodent]

Well, whaddya know... checked the nestbox cam about an hour ago to find three little mouths pointing up at the camera.

[RED-DOG]

I'm filling up..

[RioRodent]

Somehow YouTube has managed to turn a 9 min video into a 4 min one by playing it at double speed??

[Karabiner]

We've got our very own springwatch, ahhhh..

[RioRodent]

We've got our very own springwatch, ahhhh..

And now for one day only...... a live stream 'til bedtime (the birds, not us!) at http://78.86.86.4:8081

[Rod Paradise]

That's brilliant Rio! I've been meaning to ask (and forgive me if I have and have then forgotten) whereabouts do you live? The blue tits etc are finding nesting sites or building nests up here at the moment, so you're weeks in front of us. Shows the difference a bit of latitude & altitude can make I suppose.

[RioRodent]

That's brilliant Rio! I've been meaning to ask (and forgive me if I have and have then forgotten) whereabouts do you live? The blue tits etc are finding nesting sites or building nests up here at the moment, so you're weeks in front of us. Shows the difference a bit of latitude & altitude can make I suppose.

No, I don't believe you have asked previously.

We live in Witney, nr Oxford.

Sometime in the middle of last week my wife found half a *Blackbird's egg in the garden and over a couple of days found two hatchlings (bald, eyes closed) in different parts of the garden. So our Blue Tits definitely aren't the first around here.

*Edit: Having checked Google images, I think it was actually a **Starling's egg - plain blue, no speckles.

[Rod Paradise]

I've to go to Bracknell quite often with work, I certainly notice a significant difference in the temperature when I'm down there. Still have had frosts the last few nights up here, so a wee bit early yet although the nest building has started for some.

[RED-DOG]

I've been finding eggshells for a fortnight, and there was a hen blackbird feeding a youngster on the lawn yesterday.

[RioRodent]

First thing this morning I spotted 7 open mouths and one egg in the nest. At 0628 the final chick popped out and mum promptly ate the shell.

[RED-DOG]

First thing this morning I spotted 7 open mouths and one egg in the nest. At 0628 the final chick popped out and mum promptly ate the shell.

Being a day or so behind his siblings will put that chick at such a disadvantage. He will always be smaller, weaker and less savvy.

When I was breeding birds I used to remove each egg as it was laid and replace it with a fake, then when she laid the last one I would replace the others. That way, they all hatch out together.

[RioRodent]

The Proud Father has been conspicuous by his absence today (and probably yesterday afternoon)... she will have her work cut if he doesn't re-appear!!

[RioRodent]

The Proud Father has been conspicuous by his absence today (and probably yesterday afternoon)... she will have her work cut if he doesn't re-appear!!

Indeed he did not re-appear and it was clearly too much for her, trying to feed them all and keep them warm.

Over the last couple of days all of the chicks have died.

[Rod Paradise]

The Proud Father has been conspicuous by his absence today (and probably yesterday afternoon)... she will have her work cut if he doesn't re-appear!!

Indeed he did not re-appear and it was clearly too much for her, trying to feed them all and keep them warm.

Over the last couple of days all of the chicks have died.

That's sad Rio, guess something had the father & nesting time's a perilous one for the wee birds. Still, it's been a great thread, thanks for giving us all the chance to enjoy it, and here's looking forward to next year.

[millidonk]

The Proud Father has been conspicuous by his absence today (and probably yesterday afternoon)... she will have her work cut if he doesn't re-appear!!

Indeed he did not re-appear and it was clearly too much for her, trying to feed them all and keep them warm.

Over the last couple of days all of the chicks have died.

Norrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. Horriffic scenes.