The 2021 story of the great tit (nest #1) in Théding:

This nest has been used as a roost by a great tit since November 11, 2020. The nest box was cleaned in early fall and the camera angle was changed to see both the nest area and the balcony (last year only the nest area was visible). The side windows have been closed, but an artificial light programmable for sunrise/sunset has been added in the false ceiling. To learn more about this aviary, go behind the scenes by clicking the button below.

On March 17, despite the rain, the first materials were brought. Construction is happening slowly but surely.

Only the female brings materials for the construction of the nest. The male begins to feed the female by bringing her small insects. He will continue this task during the incubation period. (24/03)

The 1st egg appeared on March 31, it was quickly hidden by the materials.

2nd egg: 01/04 | 3rd egg: 02/04 | 4th egg: 03/04 | 5th egg: 04/04 | 6th egg: 05/04 | 7th egg: 06/04 | 8th egg: 07/04 | 9th egg: 08/04 (start of incubation today)

7 births on April 21st and 2 on April 22nd, all eggs hatched! This video summarizes all the births in 9 minutes.

Both parents are very involved in raising their offspring. They even help each other cut the insects before distributing them to the young. (21/04)

The few flies that had the bad experience of entering the nest box ended up like this: caught by an adult to be distributed to one of the little ones. In this video we see the speed with which the tit catches the insect! (23/04)

From day 1, when the baby bird turns over, it produces a fecal sac. The parents can easily evacuate it to keep the nest clean and avoid attracting predators. (25/04)

I didn't think it was possible... A shelled but whole peanut was given to one of the youngsters. The first 2 refused it, but the last one seems to have swallowed it (unless he expelled it from his beak with discretion?). (04/05)

Unfortunately, one of the 9 chicks died on May 6th. We think it was one of the youngest; maybe it wasn't fed enough? Fortunately, the other 8 chicks are in great shape and have been exploring the balcony since May 8th.

All lined up for the start, they are well feathered, well fed and rested, ready for real life! (12/05)

What synchronization! At dawn on May 12, the 8 chickadees took off within 5 minutes, and what excitement before the flight! Both parents had a lot of work to feed them all.

The parents did not return 24 hours after the chicks left, so we cleaned the nest box to increase the chances of having a new brood in this nest box. Indeed, titmice like cleanliness, and with a dead chick in this nest, it is likely that the titmice will choose another location if given the opportunity. (05/13)

Finally, there will be no 2nd litter here this year.