A Broken Home
e6filmuser
Registered Users Posts: 3,379 Major grins
For many years, one of our apple trees was slowly dying. For as long as I can remember (15+ years) it was hollow.
At some stage a woodpecker had made a hole but did not nest. However, in recent years, Great Tits Parus major have nest in it and successfully produced fledged chicks. This year I was aware that all was not well, as the noise of the chicks in the nest, as they reached fledging age, was not heard.
The very hollow, well-rotted trunk had been distinctly wobbly for at least a year and I had decided it must be removed during the coming winter. Last week, on a windless night, the trunk toppled sideways, clearly hitting the ground with enough impact to powder some of the wood/bark.
When breaking it up into smaller pieces, I found this nest. It seems that about half of the eggs either hatched or were predated, the others remaining intact. Apart from being unlawful, I could not have obtained access to photograph the nest when the birds were in residence and I cannot lawfully retain the eggs.
The remains of the tree, mostly as large chunks, have been relocated next to where I leave logs to rot as a wildlife resource.
Harold
At some stage a woodpecker had made a hole but did not nest. However, in recent years, Great Tits Parus major have nest in it and successfully produced fledged chicks. This year I was aware that all was not well, as the noise of the chicks in the nest, as they reached fledging age, was not heard.
The very hollow, well-rotted trunk had been distinctly wobbly for at least a year and I had decided it must be removed during the coming winter. Last week, on a windless night, the trunk toppled sideways, clearly hitting the ground with enough impact to powder some of the wood/bark.
When breaking it up into smaller pieces, I found this nest. It seems that about half of the eggs either hatched or were predated, the others remaining intact. Apart from being unlawful, I could not have obtained access to photograph the nest when the birds were in residence and I cannot lawfully retain the eggs.
The remains of the tree, mostly as large chunks, have been relocated next to where I leave logs to rot as a wildlife resource.
Harold
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Brian V.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lordv/
http://www.lordv.smugmug.com/
The good news is that we always have more nest boxes than tenants.
Harold