Having had such a good camera system installed in the old nest we could often tell to the exciting experiential minute when the female bird laid each of her eggs, and afterwards could catch glimpses of them as the moss was moved around. This sort of observation is not half as easy through a telescope, so watchers will have to rely on behaviour changes – as we did in the earlier seasons.

As shown on the grid, ‘dates to lay’ are variable, usually reflecting the health and condition of both birds after their 3000mile long migration. Twelve/thirteen days represents tip-top condition. It seems likely, if they hadn’t changed address, Mrs No-ring might have laid her first egg at the end of this week. With a female human, even the stress of moving house would not delay the inevitable appearance of an offspring by one second. Enviably, with a female bird it is possible to delay egg-laying for a period of up to 10 extra days. (if the egg in the oviduct is not too far advanced) What a blessing to be able to time the exit of an egg exactly, to fit exterior conditions.

Event	2001	2002	2003	2004
Male arrives	April 15th	April 3rd	April 7th	April 10th
Female arrives	April 17th	April 18th	April 17th	April 14th
1st egg laid	May 3rd	May 10th	April 30th	April 26th
Days to lay	16	24	13	12

2005	2006	2007	2008
April 7th	April 4th	April 17th	April 10th
April 4th	April 3rd	April 18th	April 10th
April 20th	April 17th	April 30th	?
13	13	12	?