Something rather fascinating happened last night, both birds spent the night in the box.

In 2006 the female only started to roost the day she started to build the nest, so maybe this is a sign that things are about to move on?

The male arrived back at the box for the night at 7.03pm and carried out his usual 'look and see' routine around the interior.

Two minutes later, and very suddenly he dove for the floor as his partner appeared at the hole and pushed herself through just as quickly as she had arrived:

Not wanting to cause a scene he obliged and shot out of the box:

This was the latest she had ever visited, and life was about to get very interesting.

She had been in the box about 15 seconds and displayed a minor shuffle, straight after that the male called to her from outside and she responded and called back:

The next couple of minutes were spent cautiously looking around and further acknowledging her partner outside. After that she left, but not for long:

In fact only 9 seconds elapsed before she was back inside. She spent time in her favourite corner, the one she has been interested in recently and where she has done quite a lot of pecking as of late.:

Watching her movements and actions in real time this end, it suddenly became apparent that she was possibly thinking of staying the night.

But what about the male? He has been sleeping here since 13th March - was he about to give up his roost?

Over the next few minutes she continued to look around and the male made about 8 visits to outside. He obviously wanted in, but was a little hesitant to say the least.

One or two of her replies looked as if they weren't very favourable ones:

The far corner beckoned her again and as she fiddled with the floor and wall, she started to look a little larger as she started to fluff herself up:

She obviously assumed that she was there for the night, and her partner hadn't called for a few minutes so she slowly fluffed up some more.

The male on the other hand wasn't as sure, and still wanted to come back inside. He ventured forth through the hole and landed squarely on her back body and tail feathers, and quite understandably she gave out a small squeal:

She made continued vocal efforts to let him know how she felt and once more the poor chap had to leave:

Sixty seconds later and she considered the saga was over and tucked her head under her wing:

She can't have had time to count more than 2 sheep before he was back. This time he was a little more cautious and quickly made way to his favourite corner. Her continued calls which sounded more like small whistle blows prompted him to think again, and once more he felt ejected from the box:

A heavy footed and rejected male can be see here.

Returning to her fluffed up tennis ball state once more, she tried to go to sleep. But the boy wanted a bed for the night, so he tried once more - with similar results:

As the minutes ticked away and dusk fell, he became ever more concerned about his predicament. There was only one way to sort this, and that was in.

This time he got away with it, and despite making quite a noise on the glass wall the female didn't stir. He did have to keep looking round and checking on her though:

Normally when you go to bed and the other is already there, you keep it quiet and still, just try and creep around and don't get noticed.

Not the male though, no he decided that now would be a good time to start pecking at the floor, tapping on the glass and walking about:

Somehow he seemed to pull it off and she hadn't moved, but small sounds and squeaks could be heard as she presumably tried to say 'Just go to sleep!'.

... then he made his biggest mistake, he decided that it would be fun to tug at her, and after 2 or 3 fairly innocent looking pecks he got a reaction as she raised her head:

More noises from his partner sent him into a mild panic as his jumped to the hole, shuffled around and walked up and down the glass wall:

This boy wasn't getting the idea, and she was about to let him know, although to be fair, he was the first to open a beak and hiss:

Looking furious, he moved to the other corner and silent spoke:

She flared up, and he did consider getting out again, but it was late, and anyway, who found the box in the first place?

As if in a nervous state, the male pecked at a few more things, chased the glass wall and generally looked a bit sheepish about the whole affair.

If your partner isn't going to be civil in an enclosed space, then its time to find your own corner:

Ah, that didn't work, that was her end of the box, and it's no good turning your back and making pecking sounds at the same time!

She decided that it was best to return to her space, and whilst the male may have got up, walked the box and returned to the same corner a few times it looked as if they might have settled their differences and might sleep together against the side wall.

The trouble was, he kept on giving her those beak signs:

Eventually things settled down and they both returned to their respective corners:

Finally he had a quick preen, stomp and a peck and then the box returned to silence as they both slept the night away:

Fascinating stuff, and there is quite a long video showing the event here which starts at the point where he decides to tug at her side.

Given that this is probably be the last year we will covering Blue Tits, the season is certainly turning out to be interesting!

In a later update we'll see how they greeted each other in the morning, and what happened during the day.