My Tits are back!
- Thread starter Mottie
- Start date
Still five this morning. 
There are getting big now.
Andy
Andy
Strangely, one of them is the runt of the brood - I thought that would be one of the first to die.
Worrying times, being guardian of a blue tit brood. Remember last year when they were scared off by a starling popping his head into the box? Well, I fitted a smaller entry hole to stop that but I have repositioned one of my CCTV camera's to see the comings and goings (and hopefully the fledging) of the tits and just after one of the parents had returned with more food, a bloody starling started sniffing around the box. I was out like a shot and when I saw it up on the roof peering over, I shooed it off. Hopefully it won’t return. 
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Hmm. Half past eight. I’d better get washed, dressed and stop watching CCTV!
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Hmm. Half past eight. I’d better get washed, dressed and stop watching CCTV!
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Everything I’ve read suggests that starlings don’t eat chicks but I have read articles where they steal food from other birds so perhaps it was just after the food that the parent tit was carrying. Hopefully!
Chicks are nearly the size of the parents. Got to be fledging very soon - possibly over the weekend. I hope I’m here to see it.
I think it might be sooner! There’s a bit of wing stretching, preening, flapping, looking at the hole and one just tried a half-hearted jump for the hole! I’ve got to listen out for the parents calling them out.
Almost convinced something will happen today. So much activity in the nest as if they all know today is the day! Just shooed a magpie off in my neighbours tree. I’m as nervous as hell. I’ve only been this nervous twice in my life before and that was when Mrs Mottie was giving birth to our kids! Only a parent will know that feeling. Please let em make it, please let 'em make it, please let 'em make it. I feel sick. Of course, it could all be a false alarm…….
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The heat might be making them restless. It's already 21 degrees here and due to reach 29 by the end of the day; a record breaker. I see it's going to be even hotter in your neck of the woods so i can't imagine how hot it must already be inside that sweat box.
Their first flight is almost here: they grow so fast don't they?
Their first flight is almost here: they grow so fast don't they?
Certainly do. Still here, maybe tomorrow. They are certainly filling the box now - seemed to have grown since this morning!
Still not left! Could have sworn that they would be leaving two days ago. Maybe the cold/wet/windy weather has something to do with it? Friday, mum let them sleep overnight on their own - too hot probably. She slept on them last night though. All asleep huddled up together without mum tonight.
Almost ready!
I saw one poking his head out looking around a while ago. Just sat there for a few minutes looking.
Then he had a little flap around and another look. Gonna happen soon. Very soon I reckon.
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I saw one poking his head out looking around a while ago. Just sat there for a few minutes looking.
Then he had a little flap around and another look. Gonna happen soon. Very soon I reckon.
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