Blue-tit box

So, our darling little blue tits have flown the nest. Luckily they decided to go on the last day of the half term, so we got to see half of them leave before the school day started. My entire tutor group got to see the final one fledge too. Very sad to see them go, but very exciting at the same time! Here are photos from most days from next building through to fledging. I just hope this might inspire a few of my pupils, who have seen this through from an empty nest box to eight chicks fledging, to give nature a home too.

24th February 2014 - Checking out the box

7th April 2014 - Completed nest

15th April 2014 - 6 eggs in the nest

22nd April 2014 - 11 eggs in the nest. The female started incubating.

6th May 2014 - Chicks at one day old (we think!)

8th May 2014 - The chicks being fed at 3 days old. We could count 8 or 9 at this point.
The camera has also been connected to the school laptop for clearer images.

12th May - Hungry chicks even after a visit from both parents!

13th May 2014

14th May 2014 - Beginning to look a little less weird and a little more fluffy. Cue the cuteness factor!

15th May 2014 - They have flight feathers and are a bit more mobile. Growing so fast!

16th May 2014 - Eyes are open! Much to their own shock and surprise it seemed...

19th May 2014 - They grew loads over the weekend. They're getting a little cramped in their little nest.

20th May 2014 - They're now very cute and very fluffy. Looks like they'll be ready to go any time...

21st May 2014 - About the same size as the adult, who has just collected a faecal sack.

21st May 2014 - ... and they've been testing out their flight muscles.

23rd May - Time to go! This was the eighth and final fledgling... Very sad to see them go, but happy they all made it!
My entire tutor group got to see this little one's first flight.