Bird leaving nest box

[Birders]

We've had birds nesting in our garden almost every year but, thanks to our son, this is the first time we've had a TV pic from inside a box!

We had a Great Tit (sex not known) roosting over winter for 73 consecutive nights and after two "empty" nights a pair of GTs started nest building. Eight eggs appeared over a period of about a week and the female now spends much time on the eggs. However, she leaves the nest quite often during the day, sometimes for a minute or two and at other times for 15-20 minutes. We're keeping our fingers crossed for successful hatching and we're sure she knows best but is this normal?

Thanks.

[DIANE]

Hi, not sure about Tits but my robin does exactly the same - sure it must be normal. Good luck with your birds, its quite exciting isn t it?:)

[Birders]

Hi Diane. Yes, it sure is exciting!! Our eight youngsters (ie all eggs hatched) look as if they are thriving and getting bigger each day. Mum and Dad feed them quite often but there are still times when the youngsters are left along for 10-15 mins. It doesn't seem to have effected them though. The only people it has effected are us as we spend far too much time glued to the TV!!

All the best...

[emma bessant]

Hello Birders,
How exciting be able to watch it all, I have put up a birdbox with camera this year but as yet nothing in it, I do have Great Tits and blue tits nesting in other boxes in the garden but they dont have cameras in!
Happy watching keep us posted
Emma xxxxxxxxxx:cool:


Hi Diane. Yes, it sure is exciting!! Our eight youngsters (ie all eggs hatched) look as if they are thriving and getting bigger each day. Mum and Dad feed them quite often but there are still times when the youngsters are left along for 10-15 mins. It doesn't seem to have effected them though. The only people it has effected are us as we spend far too much time glued to the TV!!

All the best...

[Jandy]

How like garden birds to choose all the nestboxes except the one with the camera! Awkward little tykes, aren't they? Maybe they have a sixth sense - feathers standing up on the back of their necks with a feeling of being watched!!

[emma bessant]

Hello Jandy,
ha ha, yes maybe you are right!! I did have a large spider in there last night though!!!
Emma xx


How like garden birds to choose all the nestboxes except the one with the camera! Awkward little tykes, aren't they? Maybe they have a sixth sense - feathers standing up on the back of their necks with a feeling of being watched!!

[DIANE]

I have now counted 6 baby robins in the nestbox with great yellow beaks and covered in black down - they are so lovely! Will definitely buy a camera for the box next year. I have a feeding station not too far from the nestbox, does anyone know whether I should continue to feed the remainder of the garden birds, or perhaps best to stop while the babies are in the nest so as to keep the noise down. Help please!!

[Pine Marten]

Hi Diane, should be ok to keep on feeding your birds. If you are concerned and you ground feed just put it a bit farther away. But birds will always compete for food in the garden and will get noisy at times.

I definately would not stop feeding the other birds, in part they rely on your offerings to suppliment what they cant get naturally.

Pine Marten.

[emma bessant]

Hi Diane,
I am no expert but i would say its fine to keep feeding as normal as the Robins knew where the food was when they nested there. I bet they look so cute!! I cant wait for someone to move into my new birdbox with camera!! Hope I dont have to wait a whole year!!!, hoping someone might use it for a later brood!!!
Emma xxxxx:)


I have now counted 6 baby robins in the nestbox with great yellow beaks and covered in black down - they are so lovely! Will definitely buy a camera for the box next year. I have a feeding station not too far from the nestbox, does anyone know whether I should continue to feed the remainder of the garden birds, or perhaps best to stop while the babies are in the nest so as to keep the noise down. Help please!!

[DIANE]

Thank you Pine Marten and Emma for your replies! Yes you re right, the robins knew exactly about the feeding station when they moved into my nestbox. Fingers crossed you have a honeymoon couple moving into your box Emma!!

[emma bessant]

Thanks Diane!!
I hope your right, I will let you know as soon as anyone moves in!!! Thats the trouble, I was so excited about my new camera box and I wanted someone to move in that night!!
Im not very patient!!:D
Emma xxxx


Thank you Pine Marten and Emma for your replies! Yes you re right, the robins knew exactly about the feeding station when they moved into my nestbox. Fingers crossed you have a honeymoon couple moving into your box Emma!!