Priorslee Lake Nest Boxes

Priorslee Lake Nest Boxes

A big thank you goes out to the 1st Priorslee and St Georges Cub Scouts for building the four nest boxes shown below. Despite the muddy conditions all the boxes were put up on Saturday 10th March and hopefully will be used by various bird species found at the lake. One particular bird which would be great to see would be the Tree Sparrow. This species is rapidly declining throughout the British Isles and hasn't bred at the lake for a number of years now. The boxes will be monitored throughout the next few months and this page will be updated, as and when we get any news.
Nest Box 1			10th March - Nest box went up 8th April - A pair of Great Tits were quite close to the boxes today but I didn't see any go in. 24th April - There is a good 25mm of moss lining the whole of the bottom of the box. 29th April - The same as the 24th, but with a very large Bumble Bee tunneling into the moss. 5th May - No change lots of moss seems to be more now, unless of course the Bumble Bee has nested underneath it! 12th May - We have 6 eggs in the nest. Not sure what species yet. 19th May - A quick look this morning revealed a Blue Tit sitting on the nest. 26th May - Female Blue Tit still sitting on the nest. 1st June - Female Blue Tit still sitting on the nest. But I heard chicks calling under her. 9th June - Managed a quick look while the parents were collecting food and there were 4 healthy looking chicks. Judging by their size they will probably fledge next weekend. 17th June - The rain over the past week seems to have played havoc with the Blue Tits and even though 2 chicks fledged, unfortunately two died through, I presume, lack of food.

Nest Box 2			10th March - Nest box went up 24th March - A pair of Blue Tits appeared quite agitated when I walked past the box this lunchtime. Still no sign of anything going in yet. 24th April - There is moss lining the bottom of the box around the edges with a bare patch in the centre. 29th April - Success 6 eggs in the nest. Quite small possibly Blue Tit. 5th May - How wrong can you be. Instead of a Blue Tit there is a Great Tit on the nest. However it is possible that the Great Tit has taken over the nest. 12th May - It looks very much like the Great Tit has abandoned the nest. The eggs were scattered all over the bottom of the box and instead of 6 eggs there were only 3. The nest is still not complete and still has a wooden base. I wonder if she has moved into No.1 19th May - No change the 3 eggs still remain in the nest box. Abandoned! 26th May - Abandoned 1st June - Abandoned

Nest Box 3			10th March - Nest box went up 18th March - A pair of Blue Tits appeared quite agitated when I approached the box this afternoon. I didn't see them go in, but they may be interested in this one! 24th April - There is a partial moss lining towards the front of the box. There was a lot of droppings inside, which might suggest a roost maybe! 29th April - No change, the same as the 24th. 5th May - Nothing for two weeks then this morning not only is there a complete nest but 4 large eggs in it. Got to get this one right. I reckon it is a Great Tit. 12th May - It is a Great Tit and she was sitting on the nest when I looked this morning. 19th May - Great Tit in the box with two chicks looking out from underneath her. Judging by the size of them they have just hatched. 26th May - There are a total of 6 chicks in the nest including a very small one. A majority of the chicks have a good covering of feathers. 1st June - Out of the 6 chicks to hatch, 3 left the nest but unfortunately 3 died. There was also an egg in the bottom of the nest thast hadn't hatched.

Nest Box 4			10th March - Nest box went up 24th April - A complete nest made from moss and the hollow shape made up with lots of feathers. A good sign. 29th April - Success, 4 eggs in the nest. I would say possibly Great Tit as they do appear slightly larger than that of a Blue Tit. Having said that there was a Blue Tit scolding me, but then a Great Tit was close by as well. 5th May - Ten eggs in the nest. Not sure what's going on here, but they are definitely smaller than what was in there last weekend. Blue Tit or Great Tit not sure yet! 12th May -Great Tit it is as she was sitting on the eggs when I had a look this morning. 19th May - Great Tit in the box with several chicks looking out from underneath her. Judging by the size of them they have just hatched. 26th May - There are 7 chicks in the nest and 3 eggs that haven't hatched. 1st June - Out of the 7 chicks to hatch, 2 left the nest but unfortunately 5 died.

If you would like to know more about the 1st Priorslee and St George's Scout Group then why not visit their website at:
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