Thursday 4 June 2009

The Nest Box

Have had a fairly hectic couple of weeks and have only looked in at my blog a few times, in an attempt to keep up to date with fellow bloggers. Later today we are off to Stratford for a few days to stay with DD and GD so will be out of touch again.

I have had several birthday and celebration cakes to make and decorate and that has kept me very busy and then of course I have to catch up with housework etc.

I have also been keeping my eye on the garden and our nest box and the blue tits have been extremely busy feeding their young ones.



On a few occasions lately I have seen a little face at the opening and guessed that the little ones would be fledging very soon. On Tuesday I was out most of the morning and on returning home soon realised that there was no activity around the nest box - they had already departed the nest! No sign anywhere of any blue tits, adult or baby. Later that afternoon I found a minute little blue tit on the ground looking very lost! What should I do. I know we are told to leave them alone and the parent will find them but next door lives a cat who loves to patrol our garden and is a demon for the birds. I rang Secret World who advised just putting it up into a tree; the parent would find it but also said if I was worried I could take it to them as they have several baby blue tits there already. The car wasn't available as OH was out so I took the tiny, tiny baby and put him back into the tree. It immediately began cheeping and making its way up into the branches. A little later I became aware of a blue tit feeding a baby but again almost at ground level. Was it the same little one - I'll never know but I do hope that parent and baby found each other and that both will survive.

I love cats but do get cross when they catch the birds. At the moment there are so many vulnerable young about and the parent birds are working so hard to feed them. I keep the garden hose ready and every now and then go out and hose the shrubs that the feline from next door favours. Occasionally he leaps out and runs off, indignant. Sorry puss.

8 comments:

Maggie May said...

Oh...... dear. I also love cats but could wish them further during fledgling time. Hope the baby blue tit survives.
Last year next doors cats ran off with fledgling blackbirds one by one until all were lost. Practically ran over my feet with them and away next door to give the master a present that he didn't want. Grrr.

Cezar and Léia said...

Hello sweetie Anne!
Glad to know that you are okay and very"busy" doing fabulous birth cakes, no doubt you are wonderful to do it!
I loved the video, many thanks for sharing.
I hope the little blue tit be okay! It's a pity that it happened!
I love cats and I love birds too!That's the reason that I keep my little Luna inside home all time here.I know the animals have their instincts so we need to take care about!
Have a good time!
God bless you
Léia

Sandi McBride said...

Oh me too Anne! I would bet money it was Mom feeding the very little guy you found! Glad to see you poke your head in!
Sandi

Ladybird World Mother said...

Aren't cats a menace with the birds right now... so glad that your little chap is hopefully ok... and have fun in Stratford!X

Jay said...

Oh, how sweet! I love the way they just fly straight in through that tiny hole without landing!

Cats .. well, we just have to remember that this is nature, red in tooth and claw. It's their nature, sadly.

Winifred said...

Oh it's always a problem with cats. Ours seemed to favour shrews in their heydays. I've never had birdboxes as I didn' want to risk the cats getting them.

They're a bit long in the tooth now and don't go out much so the birds are safe.

DeniseinVA said...

A lovely video Anne, and yes having the cats around would be worrisome when all the baby birds are out and about. The hose is a gentle way of shooing the neighbors cat out of your garden. Hopefully he will take the hint! Hope you had a lovely weekend and will have a great week.

Strawberry Jam Anne said...

Maggie - Haven't seen too much lately so hopefully most of the babies have survived. A

Leia - Cakes are now all done and I won't be doing any more for a little while. So pleased to know your lovely Luna doesn't chase the pretty birds. A

Sandi - hope they are all OK! A

LWM - yes hope so too - Stratford was great, thanks. A

Jay - nature is wonderful - in all it's forms! A

Winifred - We noticed as our cats got older that the birds just aren't bothered. Almost felt sorry for the cats - it must have been embarrassing for them! A

Denise - Glad you liked the video albeit very short. Hose is away for now but I am still keeping a close eye on things. It must be your son's wedding soon isn't it. A

Thanks to all. A x