Coal Tit Chick Being Fed

As promised. Quality not the best as pic was shot through a window. Th first pic is the initial sighting I had of the chic.

Coal Tits

There has been a lot of activity at the feeders

recently. The weather has been good, plenty sunshine which has brought out adult birds with their chicks. House Sparrows and chicks were the first to come. The next was a Blue Tit chick, sitting on the gate being fed. Then the inevitable Starlings, causing mayhem and kicking up a din. Starlings came later this year for whatever reason and the chicks appeared more mature than when they first came last year.The other day I noticed a Coal Tit going to the suet block, feeding and then flying towards my front door. Just thought it was perching somewhere convenient to devour the food. This went on for a short time so I thought I would investigate. I look out the window in the direction it was flying and there sitting on the handle of a barrow planter was a Coal Tit chick. This was the first ever Coal Tit chick that I have seen. I grabbed the camera and managed to get a few shots. Post a pic of the adult feeding the chick later.

Coal Tit

After an absence of many months, some members of the Tit family returned to feed on my Feeding Station. Great, Blue and Coal Tits all arrived together. Not in great numbers but they would come in several times during the day to feed. When they arrived, within a few days there was also a Nuthatch feeding (see Nuthatches 09/11/2008). Eventually two Nuthatches were coming regularly to feed. I don't see them every day (being at work) but the FW does and is quite enthralled by them. Members of the Tit family have now been feeding daily for a number of weeks now. Usually the Coal Tit is first, darting in and then out quickly. I think there are three or four of them but the most feeding at one time has been two. They usually feed on the peanuts and sunflower seed in the meshed area of the bird table. Occasionally they go onto the side of the hedge looking for insects.

Coal Tit

A Coal Tit who is a very frequent visitor to my garden. He/she must have some chicks to feed going by the frequency of the visits. The Coal Tit usually darts in, grabs some food and disappears immediately. Occasionally another Coal Tit appears at the same tine. They both grab food and dart off. Probably a pair with hungry chicks. The nest must be in the wood about thirty yard to the left of my house. The same feeding pattern happened last year but the parents didn't bring any chicks to my garden. Well at least not when I was watching.

Coal Tit

This Coal Tit is gathering food that I presume is for its chicks. There were two on the hedge last night but the camera battries were flat. With a bit of luck they will come to the hedge nearer the window.