'Mike' wrote:
......... or are they?

A terrific amount of activity in and around the nest box under the
veranda today. Many many visits, some with the bird staying in for
quite a while.
Unable to see if nesting material is going in, my feeling is no.

Interesting point is that sometimes, when one bird is in the box, the
other will be on the Honeysuckle just outside, and try and look in.
If the bird is outside, the one inside stays inside for quite some
while.
Activity been going on all day, not noticed it before. When the bird
does come out, it will fly from bush to bush or tree, not appearing
to collect anything, then fly back to the nest box.

Picture five, taken from the computer, shows the nest box up to the
right so I am getting a front row view
http://www.myalbum.com/Album=4X3JO4J6
Any ideas what they are up to?

Practising? Staking a claim?

My BTs are doing the same, perhaps with less fervour, but then they have
been doiong it for months. Sometimes there's a bit of conflict, presumably
with potential competitors, hence the "Staking a claim".

Observers such as David Jones (diary at http://www.mybitoftheplanet.com/)
have seen that the male goes into the box to induce the female to come in
and appraise. But as soon as she does so he exits as if to give her
unfettered access... But he remains nearby on guard duty.

Mike.
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