A livecam in a nestbox has turned a pair of blue tits into an internet hit.
The love birds, who are currently feathering their nest for the next generation, are being filmed by wildlife enthusiast Paul Beech, who lives in Macclesfield town centre.
Regular footage of the pair is recorded and posted online by Paul’s personal Facebook page, but the feathered duo became so popular, he decided to set up their own dedicated Facebook group ‘Paul’s wildlife nature Photography’.
Now they have more than 200 followers who have named them Betty and Billy.
Paul checks in on the birds every day before he goes to work as his job as a postman and last thing before he goes to bed using the cameras infrared setting.
Paul, 52, said: “People really seem to enjoy it and I’ve had a great response. It’s like BBC Springwatch in Macclesfield.”
Paul has been putting bird boxes in his garden for more than 10 years.
Blue tits were regular visitors until five years ago when they stopped coming.
Now they are back and Paul is happy to share it.
He said: “I’ve always been interested in wildlife and try and do my bit to help with the bird boxes because there isn’t much in the way of shrubbery near where I live.
“Watching them in action on a 40 inch TV screen is pretty special.”
Paul, who is also interested in wildlife photography, has already witnesses a bit of drama on the big screen when a rooster blue tit popped into the box to get some sleep and was hoisted out by a territorial Betty and Billy.
He said: “Building their nest has taken a bit longer because the material they use has been too wet. I’m looking forward to seeing the eggs which tend to arrive each day and up to 12 in number.”
Paul’s work has been praised by the RSPB.
Chris Collett from the RSPB said: “This year more than 9,000 people in Cheshire took part in the Big Garden Birdwatch so it’s clear that it’s a county nature lovers. I
“I’m sure that many people in the town and beyond are enjoying Paul’s engaging nestbox footage; he is providing a valuable service by both giving nature a home and inspiring people about the amazing wildlife that can be seen on their doorstep. I hope Betty and Billy have a successful breeding season and that we get to see some chicks soon.”
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