1 egg to go

Mum checking out the chicks

2 jellybeans

2 chicks

1st chick

1st chick only minutes old

10 eggs. Still not hatched. Now later than last year

This time last year they had hatched. I’m a bit worried as they were slow to start incubating

10 eggs

10 eggs, but incubation seems hit or miss

10 eggs

Eggs covered in fur

9 eggs

8 eggs

Extra fur for warmth

5 eggs

They have started building in another nest box. Don’t know why

Mum checking another box. Have they abandoned the eggs?

Eggs with fur

5 eggs

5 eggs but not much incubating by parents

4 eggs

1st egg. Earlier than last year

Female roosting

Nest taking shape

Nest cup forming

Dog fur bring added

The female had roosted in the box all winter, every night without fail. Then on the 26th March she didn’t return! Panic and worry ensued. Shouldn’t have as she obviously had a cunning plan. At 19:05 on the 28th she brought in the the first bit of nesting material. Then for the next couple of days moss came in, then went out again. On the 1st April stuff stayed in and building began in earnest. 2 days later she chucked it all out and started again. Here is the progress so far -

At about the third attempt it started to take shape