Visitors that have followed my website over the years may recall that for the last 5+ years I have either had no nests built or nests abandoned. 2024 was looking like it was going to be another year of no nests, until I decided to take one more look at the camera feeds from inside the boxes today.
Inside Box 3, I could see that there had been some visits made to the box. Existed, I turned on the recorder in the hope I would see what species was visiting or using the box.
Looking at the nest cup I think there may already be 2 eggs laid. After a short wait, I was shocked to see a small bird visiting. At first I thought it was a Great Tit, but once I saw the back of the head had a white stripe, I was shocked to see a Coal Tit was using the box.
The visitor looked like a female and brought in some fine\soft material. So I think I can safely say the box is in use and by a pair of Coal Tits.
I will now be monitoring my box very closely to see if the visits continue and if I am correct in two eggs already being laid. As the camera is infer-red I can leave the camera on without disturbing the bird.
More in my next diary update.