A few weeks ago our neighbours told us that they had been observing a pair of Blue Tits coming and going from this box and just recently they told us that they had seen these birds going into the box with caterpillars. I wanted to observe this, but unlike the box in the garden (which I have detailed in previous posts) which can be seen from our patio doors, this one can only be viewed from the back of our garden. Obviously when you step out of the back door all birds in the area disappear, so I hatched a plan! We have a greenhouse situated at the back of our garden, so I decided to sit and wait in there and see if the birds would appear! As you can see from the photos below what I saw were not Blue Tits, but their larger cousins, Great Tits! This species has not nested in our garden before and so this was a very welcome sighting (another Blue Tit family would be equally exciting).
These birds are unaware that they have nested in the wrong box as I have a specific Great Tit nest box situated just round the corner, but this sparrow apartment was obviously just right for them. I wait with bated breath for the fledglings.
Ah, you never can tell, can you, who will take up residence and where! Clever finding a "hide" from which to watch and take these wonderful photos.
ReplyDeleteYou really should have put a sign on it John... 'House Sparrows only' ;) Seriously though a lovely discovery! I hope they do well.
ReplyDeleteI have the same problem trying to get photos from the garden and unfortunately don't have a greenhouse to lurk in.
What a great innovation John.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know Great Tits where into Squatting.{:)
Hi Raining Acorns,
ReplyDeleteTo be honest I am just happy that they decided to take up residence in my garden! All I need now to make my `hide` complete is some camouflage netting! ;)
J
Hi ShySongbird,
ReplyDeleteThe Great Tit box does actually have a sign on it saying `Great Tit` (it`s one of those metal plates you can get from the BTO! ;) ).
Yes, I ought to be careful and try not to do too much lurking, what will the neighbours think!? ;)
J
Hi Roy,
ReplyDeleteYes, although my Wife thinks I am a bit mad sitting in a greenhouse and not actually gardening! The Great Tits obviously preferred an apartment to a house!
J
Great stuff John. I have to lurk out in the cold to observe my GT nest box.
ReplyDeleteHi John,
ReplyDeleteYes, it`s daft what we do isn`t it! I may have to get a camera put into one of the boxes for next year, mind you, if I do that the birds will probably choose somewhere else to nest!
J
Well, you just can't legislate on who will take up residency John.
ReplyDeleteHi Frank,
ReplyDeleteI know, terrible isn`t it!
J