2025: Nesting record
Nesting at Maison Hina in 2025 began in May — a little later than the previous year.
There was notable tension during nest building, with frequent confrontations with sparrows and other Japanese tits. Despite this, nest material arrived steadily, and the first egg was confirmed on 15 May.
Egg laying continued at one per day, and after incubation, the first chick hatched on 31 May. The last egg hatched on 2 June.
Growth was steady. By mid-June, the chicks were peering out of the entrance hole. We watched the parents call from outside and show food to coax them out.
On 18 June, fledging began at dawn. The last two chicks flew out just after midday.
Nest building begins
Moss starts arriving. The season gets underway quietly.
Nest material arrives in earnest
Both birds make frequent trips with moss. Intruders — sparrows and other Japanese tits — are chased away. On the night of the 14th, the first overnight stay in the box.
🥚 First egg
First egg confirmed. The female stays in the box to sleep that evening.
Egg laying
One egg per day. By 18 May, 4 eggs confirmed.
🐣 First hatching
The first chick is born — around 14 days after the first egg.
Last hatching
The last egg hatches. All chicks now present.
Eyes opening
The chicks' eyes begin to open and they start to crawl. A significant confrontation with an intruder also occurs this day.
🐥 Feathers spreading
The chicks begin stretching their wings. The mother starts spending nights outside the box.
Beaks darkening
The first chick's beak begins to turn black.
Facing the entrance
All chicks start orienting themselves toward the nest hole.
🐤 Peering out
The chicks begin looking outside. The parents call from outside and show food to encourage them.
Almost ready
From early morning, heads appear at the entrance. The chicks seem restless. No fledging by evening; the father brings large amounts of food.
👋 Fledging
Fledging begins at dawn. 3 chicks by 04:45, 2 more around 08:15, and the last 2 fly out safely at 12:20.
All chicks fledged safely in 2025. 🌿