We've been arguing again about the nest selection roles of the male and female bluetit. Tradition has it that the male finds a likely spot and leads the female to it. If she likes it, then that's it - this is the nesting place for this year's nest.
We have had various excitements since we wrote about our early visitor last autumn. First, Elizabeth ruptured the Achilles tendon in her left foot which meant an operation to have it sown back together again.
Then, shortly before Christmas, Malcolm noticed that something didn't look right about Box2 - the one in the front of our garden. On examining more closely, it was clear that the old birch tree it was attached to was leaning about 15° to the vertical, its branches entangled with those of the oak tree next to it. In fact, if it wasn't for the oak tree, the birch with the nest box and its video camera would have fallen to the ground, no doubt breaking the cabling if nothing else in the process. Clearly, a new home must be found for this box - and quickly. Spring is not too far away!
Our very sporadic updates last November also ended because the visitor to Box1 stopped visiting. For the last few days she has been back. In fact, if we get a sunny day she seems to be in and out every few minutes. She doesn't roost overnight though.
You can see her comings and goings by looking at Box1 on the Web Viewer in the table at the top of this page. If you want to look at the history file, select Box1 and click on Playback.
Here's a couple of images to start the new season. Nothing unusual here you might say. However...