Nestbox Diary
17.01.26 The regular blue tit has not been seen at nestbox 1 since 15th
January. Maybe it met with an accident or was taken by a predator.
I'd like to think it just found somewhere else but given the fact
that it has roosted here every night without fail since October
last year, I suspect that's unlikely.
The second blue tit still occasionally visits nest box 1 & 2 but
does not go in.
Nest box 3 is now online. This is a different type, aimed at robins
or any other small birds that may prefer a nest box with a wide
entrance. It is located within my wood stockade so does not need
to be waterproof.
15.01.26 Today we had very heavy rain all day. The blue tit that regularly
roosts in nestbox 1 did not return this evening.
14.01.26 Since the 9th October last year a blue tit has roosted in nest
box 1 every night. It always sleeps behind the camera so is rarely
seen except when entering or leaving. Occasionally another blue
tit has visited nest box 1 during the day. I am confident this is
a different blue tit, it rarely goes in and seems unaware of the
space behind the camera. It occasionally also visits nest box 2.
26.10.25 A great tit stuck its head through the entrance of nestbox2 this
morning, but would not enter in, they don't seem as brave as blue
tits.
09.10.25 A blue tit has started roosting in nestbox 1. It has managed to
find a place behind the camera. Nestbox 2 remains empty.
16.09.25 During the past few days there have been a few visits to both
nest boxes.
13.09.25 a blue tit briefly went inside nestbox 1.
01.09.25 Nestbox 1 & 2 have had a sweep out. Nest box 1 has had some
minor modifications. The opaque area on the roof has been widened
to allow a little more light in as the camera was not switching
to day mode.
Also, the infra-red led in the nesbox entrance has been recessed so
as not to attract attention by visiting blue tits.
Theres is now a third nest box this is more open and is aimed at
robins. It is situated inside the wood stockade.
Season Two was disappointing no birds nesting. Hopefully better
luck for season three.
------------------------ Season Three -----------------------
09.03.25 NB1 Day168: NB2 Day29:
There have been a lot of visits over the last week, the busiest
day was Sunday 2nd March. 17 visits to nestbox1 and 10 visits to
nestbox2. Since then, it has gone very quiet. No visits today.
No nestboxes have been occupied overnight yet.
09.02.25 Day139:
Nestbox2 installed. This has a large hole for great tits.
11.10.24 Day19:
Today a great tit tried to gain entry at 9:44am but was too big
for the entrance.
05.10.24 Day13:
A more detailed inspection was carried out to today at 11.37am.
04.10.24 Day12:
Another viewing was made at 09:21am today. Blue tit briefly
went inside.
30.09.24 Day8:
Blue tit spotted at the entrance of nestbox1 at lunch
time but did not go in.
29.09.24 Day 7:
First inspection of Nestbox1 by a blue tit this morning.
23.09.24 Day 1:
Nestbox1 is reinstalled after refurbishment. Changes made:
1. Moved entrance to camera end to encourage nest building away
from camera.
2. Installed internal temperature sensor.
3. Installed infra-red sensor across entrance.
4. Installed higher resolution camera.
------------------------ Season Two ------------------------
25.05.24 All the chicks fledged this morning between 06:58 and 07:50
There were 7 chicks.
Fledging times:
Chick 1 06:58:08
Chick 2 07:33:36
Chick 3 07:34:56
Chick 4 07:41:25
Chick 5 07:42:35
Chick 6 07:49:31
Chick 7 07:50:40
21.05.24 They did not fledge today, which is just as well after all the
heavy rain this afternoon.
20.05.24 The chicks very active today and looking full grown. The mum is
not staying with them in the box tonight. Tomorrow might be
fledging day.
11.05.24 Chicks are visible now when food arrives. They should fledge on the
24th May, but as it was not possible to determine the exact day of
hatching they may fledge earlier.
07.05.24 Eggs have hatched in nestbox1, can't see them yet though as too
much bedding in the way.
04.05.24 Nestbox2 installed.
24.04.24 Blue tit is spending more daytime in nestbox1 today, could be
there are some eggs now. If this signals the first day of
breeding the chicks may start hatching on 7th May.
20.04.24 It's difficult to tell what is going on, the blue tit has brought
in so much material that she has obscured the camera. She spends
every night on the nest area but as she is not there a great
deal during the day she is likely not incubating yet.
07.04.24 There has been a lot of material brought into nestbox1 over the
last two days. Blue tit roosting tonight in
nestbox1.
05.04.24 No overnight roosting the last couple of nights but a lot of nest
material has been brough in.
02.04.24 Lots of nesting material brought in this afternoon. Nestbox1 is
empty tonight.
01.04.24 Some more material brought in this morning. Alot of active nest
building today. Nestbox1 occupied tonight.
31.03.24 Nestbox1 is empty tonight. The new treecam has been installed to
monitor events on the outside of nestbox1.
30.03.24 A little more material taken in for nest construction. Blue tit
returned to roost in nestbox1 this evening.
29.03.24 One piece of moss added to the nest box mid-morning. No blue tit
roosting in nestbox1 tonight.
28.03.24 No more nest work today.
27.03.24 A bit more nesting material brought in, I'm suspect it is most
likely the female.
25.03.24 No more progress on nest building but still overnight roosting in
nestbox1.
24.03.24 Some small pieces of nesting material have been brought into
nestbox1 today.
23.03.24 Return of a blue tit for overnight roosting.
22.03.24 Two blue tits seen in the nestbox1 mid-morning there seemed to
be a disagreement. No blue tits roosted in the nest box tonight.
Maybe it considered nestbox1 not safe to return to.
21.03.24 A blue tit seen bringing a few pieces of foliage into nestbox1.
I don't know if this is the same blue tit that roosts overnight.
18.01.24 Lowest recorded temperature during the winter season -5.87°C.
28.11.23 Blue tit started roosting in nestbox1. The blue tit has been
present every night up to the 22.03.24.
Also making occasional day visits during this time.
