Great Tit V Blue Tit

Blue Tit Nest Site, The Old Apple Tree

The Great Tit's have always nested in an old, hollow apple tree in the orchard, but this year they have moved to the more modern accommodation of a new wooden nest box in the neighbouring large pear tree. However, their previous nest site didn't remain vacant for long, a pair of Blue Tit's moved straight in.

Great Tit Nest Site, New Wooden Box

Over the last few weeks Ali spent some time recording the activity for both sites comparing the visits to the nests by both pairs. With young in both nests the activity recorded as follows:

Thursday 21st May 18:10-18:40pm (30 minutes) Great Tit 17, Blue Tit 40
Friday 22nd May 13:25-13:55pm (30 minutes) Great Tit 18, Blue Tit 61
Tuesday 26th May 13:21-13:51pm (30 minutes) Great Tit nest box empty, fledged, Blue Tit 45
According to the BTO (British Trust For Ornithology) Great Tits breed slightly earlier than Blue Tits, on average about a week so the Blue Tits are expected to fledge on 2nd June!
Wednesday 27th May 13:24-13:54 (30 minutes) Blue Tit 62

Having visited their nest to feed their young brood, on average between 640-1000 times a day, the Blue Tit young finally fledged this morning on the predicted date and the hole in the tree has gone silent.

Blue Tit Visiting Their Hole In The Apple Tree