We have had a few roosting tits in our nesting boxes and in the awning box at night for several weeks now
(all great tits). There is little building activity in the boxes, the feeders in the garden are still well occupied (tits,
blackbirds, robins, chaffinches, sparrows, magpies, hawfinches, Eurasian hawfinches, collared doves, squirrels). So far, only
one starling has appeared and checked the box in the hedge. Dormice have not moved in this winter, as they do every year.
March 22nd, 2025 (10°, rainy)
The nest in the pond box has been under construction for 2 days, there is still no activity in the other boxes. A flock of
starlings are currently populating the garden, but show no interest in the box in the hedge.
March 29th, 2025 (10°, overcast)
The nest in the pond box is ready, Mrs. Great Tit spent the night again yesterday for the first time,
now it just needs to get a little warmer. The first shoots and flowers can be seen on the bushes, so we're sure to see breeding-start soon.
the breeding will start soon. There is no activity in the starling box, although there is a flock of starlings nearby. Today the
first warblers could be seen today, the black redstarts are still missing.
March 31st, 2025 (10°, overcast)
The first egg has been laid in the nestingbox at the pond. According to our statistics that's a few days later
than in other years in March. The breeding season has started with that.
April 5th, 2025 (18°, sunny)
There are already 8 eggs to be seen tonight, the tits are only occasionally at the box, probably still
enjoying their free time. It is still relatively cool at night, but during the day the sun is shining brightly. In the solar
nesting box in the front garden, and the blackcaps are back and singing all day long. The starlings seem to have left again.
April 17th, 2025 (13°, rain)
The first great tits have arrived! In the pond box you can see at least 4 small chicks, which will certainly
be cuddled by their mother in the next few days. The weather is certainly a bit unfavorable, but on the other hand it should
mean that there is enough food for the caterpillars.
The front garden nesting box has also been incubating since April 13th (also great tits), which should take a good week yet.
April 19th, 2025 (13°, sun and rain)
Mrs Great Tit usually sits on the young and warms them, it looks as if all the eggs have hatched. They are
still incubating in the front garden and since yesterday great tits have suddenly been knocking in the nest box next to the
bedroom and bringing in moss. This would mean that we would have three great tit broods at the same time, possibly another one
in the starling/hoopoe box.
April 30th, 2025 (20°, sunny)
As it is very warm in the boxes today, the little tits are already sitting on top, at least in the pond box.
Now you can count them clearly, you can see 7 of them, one egg was probably not hatched.
The box in the hedge is already chirping and there are already a few little tits in the front garden box, which are probably
a few days younger.
May 03rt, 2025 (cloudy, rain)
Only 5 left? Yes, we can hardly believe it, 2 young tits are missing. You could actually see them growing
over the last few days and they were very excited yesterday, plus it was very warm in the box. But since this morning there
are only 5 left in the box. The parents are coming at longer intervals and only one at a time, which indicates that there has
indeed been an outing. We rule out nest robbers, as there would be more excitement on the part of the parents. You don't hear
any chicks screaming in the garden, but sometimes they fly quite far and then they don't move for 2 days. As there is another
much smaller straggler in the box, we hope that the remaining siblings will stay for at least another day or two.
May 26th, 2025 (16°, cloudy)
During our vacation at the beginning of May, the remaining great tits had fledged, also from the other boxes.
They meet up with young blue tits every day on our balcony and in the garden, loudly demanding food from their
parents.
Meanwhile, the great tit mom from the pond box laid new eggs without any major break, as we already know
from previous years. Another 6 eggs were laid, but one of them was missing the day before yesterday, possibly
had been damaged.
Today morning we were able to see 3 little great tits together with 2 remaining eggs in the nest.
The great tit dad is now on his way with the young of the first brood, we are curious to see whether the mother will have to provide the
food on her own.
