Blue Tits leave the nest box

The feeding activity at the nest box has been getting very much busier the last few days. Late yesterday, it was becoming quite frantic.

Food was arriving every few seconds,

small heads were stretching from the opening, and a couple of local cats were taking a keener interest than usual. Jim made a good job of being on guard duty, and keeping them out of the garden.

I felt today might be the day they would leave the nest.

I made my usual morning visit to the local lake, but kept thinking about the Blue Tits back home. It's seven days earlier than last year, when they left the nest, but I was certain today was going to be the day.

I came back home. I didn't want to miss the big moment.

Last year it all happened about 9 a.m., and very quickly.

I got home just after 7 a.m., and feeding was in full swing.

Juicy caterpillars were going down by the truck load, the adult birds were constantly calling, and little babies were almost falling out of the nest box hole.

Then the first one launched himself like a missile, into the bushes at the bottom of the garden. The next followed pretty quickly, as the adults continued their encouragement, by calling, and fetching food.

The bottom of the garden soon resembled a crèche, as it began to fill with baby Blue Tits.

I counted 11 altogether, and something I found interesting during all this activity; at times the adult female would 'beg' some food from the male, by fluttering her wings.

He would respond by feeding her whatever he had at the time. (I guess a sort of  'bonding' display.) 

Sometimes she would eat it, and other times she would take it to one of the young, and feed it.

A fascinating and rewarding morning, and one I'm glad I managed to witness, and capture with pictures and video.

The big world awaits! Good luck!