We put a couple of nests boxes in the wood last Autumn and as spring arrived I kept my eyes on them in the hope that Blue Tits would use at least one. I knew that one of the boxes had been used for roosting over the winter and I kept a close watch on it to see if any nest building took place. It all started in April when at first, a few bits of moss were seen in the box and this was gradually added to over the course of the next week or so. It was obvious that a nest was being built. Things progressed really well and eventually it was almost full of moss and a large amount of downy feathers and animal hair. The eggs when they arrived were laid in a cup in the corner of the box and 7 were laid on consecutive days. Incubation has begun and I could see when I checked today that at least 6 of the 7 look fertile. I can tell this because they look darker and heavier. When they are first laid you can see, just by looking in the nest, that the eggs are translucent at first, once the embryo begins to develop the eggs look darker and heavier. As a way of explanation it is similar to porcelain and pottery, one is almost see through and the other appears solid.
It's going to be interesting to watch the egss hatch and then their development I will keep you informed.
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