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Sunday 12 July 2009

He Flew The Nest Too Soon

After last week's story about the Peacocks I thought this story about their smaller garden cousins may be of interest.

I suppose it was about 10 years ago I started building bird boxes for our garden. But first, soon after our conservatory was built, I redesigned the garden, building a curved path and some steps and walls beneath a pergola I made, together with an extremely robust garden swing under an old Victoria plum tree. Sadly the tree is no longer alive but I used it as a frame on which to grow a lovely Clematis - variety: Elizabeth Montana. I took the photo earlier this summer.Looking underneath it today I shot with my new Panasonic F562 camera the old swing, strong enough to swing an elephant, on which the children and us parents had a lot of fun. You can see some bird boxes in the background. I am very pleased with the camera which is far more versatile than its rather archaic predecessor.Straight ahead is my Blue Tit box in which we have seen many successful broods over the years - and unfortunately some unsuccessful. I remember well a brood of birds flew the nest far too early after a violent thunderstorm which must have shocked them and although the parent birds still tried to feed them out of the nest, four of the fledglings fell victim to local cats - such is the cruelty of nature.
Here is a closer shot. The hole size for a blue tit box is critical and should be about 25mm in diameter so that the birds feel safe from larger predators. The box should face away from due south to avoid the sun's direct heat - probably due north is the best position.

Parents do not like second hand nests - it is part of the courtship procedure to build a nest together to cement their relationship with one another, so before they appear it is necessary to remove last year's nest. At the back of the box I have four screws so I can take the back off to clear the old nest every year.

It is very exciting when a pair of Blue Tits are thinking of nesting. To begin with they are extremely nervous and it takes a long time for them to pluck up courage to enter the nest box. I expect Mrs Blue Tit has the last word regarding the suitability of the abode and she soon gets him busy with nest building. I expect he thinks, "Why bother to clear the thing from last year - we could have saved ourselves hours and hours of work and I could have done the prize crossword instead?" But she gets her own way every year, bless her.
I built this bird table a few years ago and it is the scene of many a wintry squabble when birds compete for the food we place there for them. Above the table is a pair of semi-detached abodes but so far Blue Tits have rejected nesting there in preference to the detached property nearby - thus keeping up with the 'Joneses' and all that! A wasp queen was not so fussy two years ago and we had a minor skirmish with a swarm of wasps, fortunately small ones, dealt with by wasp killer, hence the white mark round the hole. Eddie Bluelights was quite equal to the task!

If you look closely underneath the table you can see Mickey the Budgie's old swing. For those who do not know Mickey he was my pet budgerigar, the subject of two humorous posts, Mickey the Celibate Budgie and Mickey the Love-Sick Budgie. I have noticed that wild birds have neither the wit nor the inclination to use the swing and so far I have never seen a wild bird perched on it or playing on it except an escaped budgerigar five years ago - perhaps Mickey's ghost.
Three years ago I built another nesting box, this time for sparrows, hoping in some small way to help them to recover from a serious disease causing a severe depletion of their numbers.

The holes are about 30mm allowing access by a bigger bird than a Blue Tit, who would not dare nest there.

There are three compartments in this house and every one has been used so far - yet not all at once. There would be no problems if sparrows nested there because in no way are they territorial. However to date sparrows have not nested there, but for the last three years we have been blessed by having a pair of Great Tits nesting and producing young. Either they return every year or the chicks when adult return there. The Great Tit is a very beautiful bird but very territorial. It is great having them there but they will not tolerate Blue Tits since they compete as rivals for their territory. So the downside is that we have not had any Blue Tits nesting for 2 or 3 years.

I discovered this little chap a few weeks ago - obviously a Great Tit chick who had flown the nest too soon.
He was exhausted and could not summon the energy to fly away from me - allowing me within 2 feet of him. I toyed with the idea of picking him up and putting him back in his box but read if you do that the parents will reject him. I did see the parents flying around trying to feed him but I did not give much for his chances.
He did manage to fly into this tree so reluctantly I thought it best to leave him with his parents. There was a very slim chance of survival - as it turned out the odds were against him severely for I saw him dead at the foot of the tree the next day. I really must research what to do with fledglings who leave the nest too soon to see if they can be reared somehow in safety until they can fend for themselves.
Blue Tit (from a book)

Great Tit (from a book)
I guess the American name for Blue Tit is Blue Bird - correct me if I am wrong.
And I wonder have you a corresponding name for Great Tit?___________________________________________________________
And now another surprise! I am honoured to receive the co-runner up POTD award for 14 July 2009 from David at Authorblog. I am very grateful to you David and wish to congratulate the winner, Hilary, and all the runners up.

39 comments:

  1. Oh well nature can be cruel,but it is part of the circle of life. Sad as it may be. I would like to see what a Blue Tit looks like. If you ever get the chance to photograph one. Probably not too easy I imagine. Your bird boxes are very nice Eddie!

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  2. This is so informative, especially since I never heard of Blue Tits or Great Tits. They are lovely, and you have created quite a habitat for them.

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  3. Your garden and your birdhouses are so pretty, Eddie. I wouldn't have known what to do with the little bird that fell from its nest. My first instinct would be to pick it up and love and protect it....but as you said, that would have been the wrong thing for me to do.
    Your making the birdhouses and the swing (even though the birds haven't discovered our childhood love of swinging) is very sweet of you, Eddie and they are lovely additions to your garden. I'm glad that you have the Great Tits nesting, and I hope that the Blue Tits return soon.
    We have a bluebird box that my son built 28 years ago on a light pole in our back yard. I'm glad you told me about cleaning it out. The box he built has a hinged top, but we have never opened it or done anything with the old nest. We will clean the old ones out after they leave it this year. I enjoy watching the blue birds, especially the male. He sits on the fence outside the box chasing away any and all birds...whether they are bigger than him (and they ARE) or not. Mama bird will join him in the chase, too!! I love their protectiveness.
    Thank you for such a wonderful post....and beautiful photos. I enjoyed being here tonight. I'm sorry about the little bird's death. Even though it's a part of nature, I must have a mushy, old heart because my eyes watered. Take care of you, Eddie.
    I'm so glad that I have found a friend in you. I enjoy very much reading what you share with us.
    Smiles,
    Jackie

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  4. Eddie your post is delightful, and your garden and bird houses are lovely. So enjoyed hearing and learning about the birds that visit you, I too enjoy visiting your post....:-) Hugs, Bernie

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  5. Delightful & very informative post. Pretty birdhouses and lovely garden!
    Mhhhhhhh! I can see I have made a few mistakes with my attempts at bird rearing! My bird boxes are on an east facing wall. No wonder nothing has taken up the offer of a free home so far. Far too hot.
    Those wretched cats from next door...... we all have them! Nature is cruel.

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  6. I love birds and attract them to my yard when I can. Love the info and the shot of the dear blue fellow. Sad he did not make it...I have never seen a bird like him.

    PS Thanks for the comment you sent about our mutual friend. I hope she is well!

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  7. Super post Eddie and quite educational too in lots of ways. I think it is reet grand you have built all these nesting boxes.
    Have you ever visited http://mybirdsblog.blogspot.com/ Some very interesting birds over in Ohio, and Abe Lincoln has a yard full of them... worth a peep.
    Love Granny

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  8. Thank you for posting the photos Eddie, they are very pretty birds!

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  9. Your garden is beautiful! I enJOYed reading about the birds!

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  10. You're such a nice man, Eddie. I can tell you really wanted to help the poor bird, and were sad that you couldn't. I had a sparrow die in my hands once, as I tried to save it, and it unnerved me for the rest of that day. I cried big, wet, unmanly tears. You strike me as the same sort, and I mean that in the nicest way with no aspersions cast upon your manhood.

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  11. Lovely photos, Eddie. And very creative bird houses. My dad also made them so I have a soft spot for 'em. I have many of his around my house, but keep them inside to preserve them.

    Lovely little blue bird. I want to think the flew off to live a long, happy life.

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  12. Hello Eddie...Just now getting around to everyone's blogs myself...Filling bird feeders, picking blackberries, and working ouside keeps me busy...Our bluebirds are loved here too...We have 6 houses for them...which the wrens and chickadees use also...I loved your birdhouses...my husband builds them too...
    Thank you for your visit...Bernie, Diana, and Jackie are mutual friends...
    Enjoyed your post greatly...BTW...my grandson is an ambulance driver too here in Ohio!

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  13. Eddie, congrats on POTD mention!

    This is a fantastic post with equally fantastic photos and like someone else said, so full of information. I love that you built the birdhouses yourself and researched first so that you knew the exact size hole, etc. the blue tits and great tits would require!

    Must say your blue tits do look like our bluebirds, but don't have a clue about the great tit.

    Again, congratulations!
    Jane

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  14. I enjoyed very much reading about your bird nurturing!

    Congratulations on being on David's Post of the Day list!

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  15. Beautiful photos and wonderful post. Nature sure can be cruel and wonderful all at the same time. Here from David's.

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  16. lovely back yard abode. you would find me on the swing watching and listening. congrats on the POTD mention.

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  17. I was sure that your garden would be lovely, Eddie and it is. Lovely post. Milou pounced on a fledgling last week, I was so sorry, the poor wee thing died of shock, not a mark on it. But that is nature I quess.
    POTD...good on yer.

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  18. My, what a lovely garden, and how you care for the birds in it. Glad I found you through David's POTD.

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  19. Congratulations on your POTD honor.
    You are such a gentleman. One can tell, you know....
    Smiles,
    Jackie

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  20. Eddie you are the sweetest guy ever.

    The pictures are fantastic and the birds are beautiful.

    I know we have Blue Jays and they look nothing like that. I don't know about a blue bird.

    Love Renee xoxo

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  21. You are a man of many talents, Eddie. Your garden is beautiful and the bird houses are just
    lovely and so creative. How sweet of you to build them. I really enjoyed this fabulous post and photos. Congrats on your POTD! You deserve it!!!

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  22. now I know why our bird house never "houses" any bird! ... it's because the diameter of the holes determine which specie might nest in it, thanks for that info. I thought any bird house with a hole will do for all sorts of birds, as ours was just bought from a crafter's shop, its body is cylindrical with a cone shaped roof ... it's very pretty but I've always wondered why there hasn't been a bird family there, not once! maybe the hole is too large to be secure ...hmmnn...now I know.

    Congrats on the POTD! ^^

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  23. Wow Eddie, those photos are great! It's so wonderful of you to care about the safety and happiness of our wild animal cousins.

    Thanks for stopping by my blog. Nice to meet you!

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  24. Hi Eddie!!! Sorry to be so very long in dropping around. I so LOVED this post and your LOVELY garden! What an oasis you have created with your hard work and planning. I felt like I had a mini-vacation just browsing around. What a gift for yourself and those you love. :)

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  25. Great photo's, Eddie. What a shame about your little baby bird. I think it's only human nature to want to pick the poor thing up and nurse it to health but we humans do forget that these aren't human.

    CJ xx

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  26. Hi Eddie....It's Jackie. Thank you for the post on my blog. Regarding the church service length...must be a time warp between Europe and the U.S.A....there was a 5 hour time difference between before church and my post. I smile...as our church services are rarely short...and then there's choir practice afterward....as I am the keyboardist for our church.
    Smiles,
    Jackie

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  27. Thursday night...
    Hello again, Eddie. Do I need to send the ambulance out to check on you??? Don't get me to be worrying, now.
    I hope that you have had a good day. I wanted to let you know that I am thinking about you. Take care......
    Smiles,
    Jackie

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  28. very very beautiful pictures sir :) Really enjoyed myself here :)

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  29. G'day squire .... Would you care to do a Sunday Roast interview?

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  30. Hi David . . . . I am deeply honoured by this invitation for a severe roasting! I like to be done medium rare to well done! . . . and yes I would be delighted. Thank you David, although I am a little surprised after my relatively short time in blogland. I shall email you as well to confirm. I'm working on another 'biggy' production where I can use 'zillions' of bloggy names - just in it's embyonic stages as yet.
    Good on yer sport and good day!

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  31. Thank you all for your wonderful comments for this post and the previous one, ands indeed for all the support and encouragement you have given ~ Eddie

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  32. Hi Eddie.
    I popped in.
    I popped out.
    But I leave part of my smile....gotta take some with me as I go, so I can't leave it all.
    I continue to be patient for your 'biggy production.' Scares me that its embyonic stage is taking this long....It must be a Frog (in the deep south USA, that would be 'frawg') Strangler!!! I can't wait!!!
    Big smile,
    Jackie

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  33. Hey Eddie, Come on over to Cajun Country and pick up your award. You are so richly deserving!

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  34. Boy Eddie, your cuddle could not have come at a better time.

    I am so wiped out and beaten down right now. Fuck.

    Anyway, Eddie you are so sweet, thank you for the suggestion of stilts.

    Love Renee xoxox

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  35. Dear Eddie: Lola told me that you were a wonderful man and a dear friend. And I truly see why.

    We have been friends for a short time and yet; I value what you have to say.

    And I know there are no trades, it is just in this case, I wish there was.

    Love Renee xoxo

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  36. Thank you for what you have shared here and your garden is really lovely.

    best wishes
    Ribbon

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  37. It is useful to try everything in practise anyway and I like that here it's always possible to find something new. :)

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