Our Great Tit Family – Part 5
Are you following the ups and downs of the little family from our gate post bird box? Hopefully, if you are, you will want to know if the Great Tit chicks have fledged! Our little chicks are no longer quite so little. And actually, over the last few days, Mum has not roosted/brooded in the box with them during the night. However, as we have not had a camera inside a successful tit nest before, we don’t know if this is normal behaviour or not. Do leave us a comment if you’ve seen this happen too.
Whilst Mum might not be brooding the chicks as much, both parents remain as diligent as ever with their feeding regime. However, the following footage was quite unbelievable. We were in hysterics watching it unfold. Not sure the caterpillar was quite so happy with the situation….
We are pretty certain that it was dad who brought the caterpillar in. The male of the species has a wider black chest stripe, and we have noticed that his head is less sleek than the female’s. However, it is the mother that ends up with the caterpillar. Dad gives up, goes out and leaves her to it!
The following feed was a bit more straightforward.
We recommend getting a bird box camera
We have so enjoyed watching the progress of our Great Tits this year. Indeed, we had 16 days of watching whilst the eggs were laid and then brooded. This was then followed by 21 days from hatching to fully grown fledglings.
Should you have missed their story so far, here are the links to Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 and Part 4.
Modern technology definitely gives you an insight into the natural world that was never really possible before. We would wholeheartedly recommend getting a nest box camera if you are able (We got ours from HandyKam). Our cameras give us hours and hours of pleasure and have taught us a huge amount along the way. But, all good things must come to an end, and 3 weeks after hatching the inevitable happened.
Thank you so much to everyone who has joined us in watching as this story unfolded. From the early stages of building the nest to the final stages when the Great Tit chicks have fledged. It has been a real pleasure to share it with you all, and thank you for all your comments. Maybe next week we will get back to a painting related blog instead!! Until then, it’s Goodbye from me, and it’s Goodbye from our little Great Tits too. Kind regards to you all, Paul. 
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5 responses
Thanks Paul…very informative as usual…
It was great to watch them all grow up Susan, lets hope we have them nest again next year. Paul 🙂
So love watching David Attenborough films … and this is quite something… wonderful opportunity…very beautiful, Paul!
Thank you Erna, we like watching David Attenborough too. Glad you’ve enjoyed our little video clips. 😉
I loved this whole series and learned so much from you and your videos!! Thanks Paul…maybe next year!!