Country diary: Gripped by the fledging of baby great tits | Kate Bradbury

Hove, East Sussex: The parents have been busy in my garden - and today's the day the chicks finally leave the boxIn the garden, I sit on the bench, surrounded by alliums, poppies, buttercups and cranesbills. There are buzzing bees, holly blue butterflies, tadpoles, a squirrel "singing" from the top of the fence. And, finally, there's a baby great tit in the rowan tree.I have been waiting for the great tits to fledge for the last few days. They started nest-building in late March, gathering twigs, moss and fluff from my garden and surrounding ones. Then mating and egg-laying commenced, during which time the female usually lays an egg each morning before spending the day with her mate. Continue reading...