Thursday 29 May 2003 Well, just a brief note to say that it is defintiely confirmed that the nest is abandoned. I'll check today when I get home, but can only assume all the chicks have died. I'll put a final update on this bluetit diary shortly... Wednesday 28 May 2003 This is just a very quick update from my laptop in work to say that Ive been having problems with my computer at home and havent been able to upload anything. Some of you have been emailing with concerns about the chicks being abandoned, and sadly your concerns are accurate. It appears, for whatever reason, that the nest has been abandoned. I went out to the box last night and fed the chicks by hand using small forceps (which some peopleseen on the webcam!?), but dont think they will have much chance of survival. I'll update more at length tonight if I get the chance. Monday 19 May 2003 Many many many thanks to John Hubbard for capturing these images today and emailing me them!!. Ive been so busy lately and havent been able to update this diary. I had a suspicion that the first egg had hatched today, but didnt have photos to show it. Then I got this email tonight with these three images showing the first chick!! Photo number one. You can see the open beak of the tiny chick in the right hand side of the nest cup. Another similar photo.... From now on the parents will be vvvvery busy feeding the chicks all day. They should probably fledge in about 2 or 3 weeks. Sunday 11 May 2003 OK, I'm struggling to find time to update this diary every day (as you may have noticed!?), but at the minute there is not a lot happening anyway because the female is still sitting on the eggs. I still havent got out to see how many eggs there are yet. Here is a photo of the female as she takes a break from sitting to have a look outside... She also spends time turning the eggs and arranging the nest cup before sitting on the eggs again - it must take a lot of patience!! Monday 05 May 2003 I still haven't had a chance to get photos of the eggs inside the box, but here is a photo taken yesterday of the female sitting on the eggs in the middle of the afternoon - an indication that all of the eggs are laid and incubation has started. I haven't seen her in the box today yet though...