| Apr 10 |
The pair are starting to make up for lost time.
The nesting material that is being brought in seems to be more suitable too.
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| Apr 11 |
These images are a puzzle for us.
Are they of a disturbingly violent fight?
Is it our nesting pair or a skirmish between one of them and an outsider?
Has anyone any ideas about it?
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Shortly afterwards here is a tentative peek inside
followed by a more sedate picture of the pair.
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As the day passes there were quite a few occasions when both birds were together.
I feel there is an extra wariness which perhaps I am imagining but there could be a threat.
By the end of the day there is a fair accumulation of nesting material.
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| Apr 12 |
Mrs Blue contemplates her morning shadow.
Later she displays a wing.
Is she checking there will be enough room for chicks to do flying practice.
She holds a piece of moss.
She performs some nest fanning.
Its quite clear where the nest cup is going to be.
Mr Blue comes in to give some encouragement.
The nest cup is nicely formed ready to start bringing in further material.
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| Apr 13 |
The nest cup is starting to take shape.
She tries it out for size.
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Now where shall I put this?
Some more nest fanning.
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I will just have a little rest.
Whoops! Who put that there??
Now this is really starting to feel cosy
I think I have done enough for today.
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| Apr 14 |
Mrs Blue continues to make the nest cup to hold the eggs.
I think all the material for the nest is now in the box.
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| Apr 15 |
Apparently even Blue tits can have a bad hair day. Maybe we should give them a mirror?
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| Apr 17 |
The nest building activity has now come to a halt and the birds don't seem to visit the box during the day. The only visit is in the evening when Mrs Blue comes to spend the night.
You can see her here fluffed up and head tucked in to retain heat.
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| Apr 18 |
Again the only visit is to roost in the box overnight.
I think we are close to having the first egg laid as it was April 24th last year when the first egg appeared although progress on nest building has been a bit behind last year.
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| Apr 19 |
Mrs Blue has laid her first egg, see the "Egg laying" page...
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Go to next stage. |
