Springwatch

Good programme. The photography is superb.

The Blue Tit wearing Herself to a frazzle bringing up Great Tit chicks at the expense of Her own was an eye opener. It is a superb programme, the innovative use of the nest cams etc are fantastic.

The Blue Tit wearing Herself to a frazzle bringing up Great Tit chicks at the expense of Her own was an eye opener. It is a superb programme, the innovative use of the nest cams etc are fantastic.

Missed that, how did that happen?? I have seen adult sparrows feeding fledged great tit chicks though.

The Blue Tit wearing Herself to a frazzle bringing up Great Tit chicks at the expense of Her own was an eye opener. It is a superb programme, the innovative use of the nest cams etc are fantastic.

Missed that, how did that happen?? I have seen adult sparrows feeding fledged great tit chicks though.

They explained what they thought happened, which is that the blue tit laid her eggs in a nest where there were already several great tit eggs.  They'd been watching the nest since the early days of eggs, and on going back to review the film it was obvious that some of the eggs were much bigger than the others.  When they were brooded obviously the great tit eggs which had been laid for longer hatched first, and the chicks, being bigger and more advanced than the later hatched blue tits, took all the food.  The blue tit chicks all died but four of the great tits are growing and getting feathers - which was when the team realised they were great tits and not blue tits after all.

Poor little blue tit.  I wonder how long she can survive - she looks exhausted poor thing.

I love watching the golden eagle and her chick in the nest.  What superb photography and such a delight to get such a close look at the nest. I also the Lolo Williams in the Farne Islands.  I had to laugh at the artic terns.  We were there 2 years ago and they are vicious!

The Blue Tit wearing Herself to a frazzle bringing up Great Tit chicks at the expense of Her own was an eye opener. It is a superb programme, the innovative use of the nest cams etc are fantastic.

Missed that, how did that happen?? I have seen adult sparrows feeding fledged great tit chicks though.

Micky Boy, see Valda's post

Thanks you guys, interesting story, sad for the blue tits mind!

I love watching the golden eagle and her chick in the nest.  What superb photography and such a delight to get such a close look at the nest. I also the Lolo Williams in the Farne Islands.  I had to laugh at the artic terns.  We were there 2 years ago and they are vicious!

When I was in Svalbard about five years ago there was an arctic tern nesting a couple of metres from the side of the road out of Longyearbyen. The male had a serious attitude problem. I was glad of my woolly hat for more than the cold.

Boo! Hiss! Just seen that adder disrupting the whitethroat nest . Hope the parents can find those 5 chicks and keep them safe!