I need to relate the final part of the great tit story. All seven chicks left the nestbox on Wednesday when I was on a business trip to Munich.

Mrs Oregano saw the family flying together and perching on the fence or walnut tree. So a successful brood!

I took a look in the nesting box again today

The tits now have a complete set of feathers and have grown further. I sometims have the feeling that those on top get most of the food.

The parents are busy shuttling food back to the nest. We have counted seven chicks.

I had earlier posted a picture of our nest box from last Saturday with some tiny great tit chicks.

A week later they have grown a lot and look absolutely piled up in the nest! It's hard to know how many chicks are there...but clearly the feet are well developed, wings beginning to form and head, wing and leg feathers are in evidence.