bob
New Member
Posts: 6
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Post by bob on Apr 8, 2019 7:29:30 GMT
Hello Everyone
I've registered today as this seems the friendliest and most active nest box forum and I've got a few questions I hope can be answered ...
First a bit of background . We've got a Gardenature Camera nest Box and are very excited to have some blue tits which seem to be nesting .
There are lots of nesting materials going in and just as we think they will nest they seem to take a lot out and start again. We are worried that they are just using the nest box for storage or drying of nesting material before flying off to next door's garden -can that happen?
Also they seem a bit bothered by the perspex side panels -they seem to want to block them off and we are wondering if too much light getting in . If they are undecided about nesting would it help to mask off these side panels to closer mimic a hole in a tree ?
Any suggestions welcome -thank you
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Post by sammi on Apr 8, 2019 7:47:06 GMT
 Hi Bob, welcome aboard. It sounds to me like very normal nesting behaviour and many of us are seeing it at the moment personally I think if they have chosen your box then they were very happy with it so I'd just leave things as they are. They do tap on the windows just to ensure they are sturdy I think. Looking forward to keeping up with your nest. I have bluetits nesting in one of my boxes and today I watched as one particularly long piece of grass went in and out at least four times  until she was happy with the arrangement.
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bob
New Member
Posts: 6
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Post by bob on Apr 8, 2019 8:16:27 GMT
Hi Sammi
That's reassuring -I'll just leave well alone and let them get on with it
I have another question -How can you tell if male or female blue tit ?
Thanks again
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Post by Ann70 on Apr 8, 2019 8:18:48 GMT
to the forum Bob, what part of the country are you in?hopefully you will have a nest
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Post by Ann70 on Apr 8, 2019 8:23:47 GMT
i can only tell by my bluetits Martin is bigger than Martha, but I'm sure you will get a better answer from the very friendly experts on here
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Post by YorksherLass on Apr 8, 2019 9:16:59 GMT
Bob, you've come to the right place as everyone is very friendly. Wildlife Paul is the expert on here I think as far as telling which birds are male & female!
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Post by WildlifePaul on Apr 8, 2019 9:57:40 GMT
Welcome Bob, You aren't wrong but friendly people on here, Nicest bunch of people I have spoke to in my life. We are all like a little family on here in Spring so welcome!  As pointed out this is pretty normal behaviour for the blue tits, Just leave the box alone and things will work themselves out. Diane, I wish I bloody was an expert on telling them apart! Male and Female are near impossible to sex Bob, What I do is look for marks on the females face, The female is the one who does all the nest building. Males visits to the box are very brief during building stages, Look for little marks on her face or look at her black eye bars its the black strip that goes across each eye. Sometimes I have noticed my males have thin ones and the female as thicker ones. Not always the case of course but looking for little differences between them is the way to go forward with sexing them. I am lucky at moment that my female is really tatty looking in the face can pick her from a line up. |
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Post by petesbox on Apr 8, 2019 10:46:43 GMT
Welcome Bob.
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Post by matt on Apr 8, 2019 11:25:34 GMT
Welcome Bob and best of luck for the season!
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Post by suep on Apr 8, 2019 11:46:51 GMT
Welcome to this mad family Bob. As has been said you will find everyone friendly and helpful to each other on here. Good luck with the coming season. Looking forward to updates. Sue
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Apr 8, 2019 15:01:54 GMT
Welcome Bob
As others have said the taking in and removal of nesting material is completely normal behaviour.
As for the sexing, I have always noticed the males have deeper colours and are slightly larger.
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Post by elle on Apr 8, 2019 19:38:47 GMT
 Bob welcome to the birding family  As everyone has said already, all the behaviour you are witnessing is very normal, so don’t worry (like me!) They always know what they are doing! Although sometimes they do tease us  Have you had nest boxes before Bob? If not you will be aboard a rollercoaster every spring from now on good on luck with your box  Elle xx
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Post by Amanda on Apr 8, 2019 21:53:17 GMT
It is a lovely friendly forum Good luck with nests
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bob
New Member
Posts: 6
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Post by bob on Apr 9, 2019 15:13:29 GMT
 Hi Yes last year we had blue tits nesting in the same site but a different nest box . That was a Tom Chamber's nest box and it actually split down the front and we were worried that a woodpecker might just prise the 'doors ' off and rob the nest . So we ummed and aahed about what to do and in the end we did nothing and we did see at least one fledgling make it to cover . We were dismayed to see a couple of dead chicks in the nest when we cleaned the boxes later . I actually got fleabites on my legs afterwards even though I was wearing wellies ![]() . Anyway this year we've got a Gardenature box that is much better made in the same site and fingers crossed they seem to be cracking on with nest building . ![]() I'll try and post some pics if I can figure out how to do it.... |
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Post by elle on Apr 9, 2019 20:22:05 GMT
Good luck with the picture posting Bob I think Sue & I found this process to be so stressful, but I’m sure she won’t mind me saying ‘we must be the only 2 on this forum what are not computer literate!!!’ Or very technical, but if you are the opposite to either of these, you will be absolutely fine  Elle xx |
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Post by YorksherLass on Apr 10, 2019 11:29:17 GMT
You'll be OK Bob uploading piccies, just read how to do it from here: Matt very kindly put these instructions on for us all & even I managed it! |
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Post by blueeyedchick on Apr 10, 2019 20:55:20 GMT
Welcome to the forum Bob I hope you will enjoyall the banter and stories on here and you have a successful season.  |
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bob
New Member
Posts: 6
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Post by bob on Apr 11, 2019 18:04:07 GMT
Thanks for all your encouragement and to Paul for the instructions . Here is the picture of the old bird box with the split in the front and the fledgling's beak silhouetted in the morning sunshine  |
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Post by Taz on Apr 11, 2019 18:14:13 GMT
Welcome Bob,
Hours of fun begins right here!
All the behaviour of your BT's seem normal, they do peck at the perspex and the nest material is usually bought back and forward. I believe it's only the female that builds the nest, so the one bringing in the material is more than likely a female. She is also the only one that does any housekeeping as in removing poop.
Enjoy the season, Taz
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Post by WildlifePaul on Apr 11, 2019 19:01:55 GMT
No problem at all Bob,
Glad you have figured out how to upload pictures now.
Looking forward to seeing your new set up and how the season goes for you!
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Post by elle on Apr 11, 2019 19:45:32 GMT
I love this silhouette picture of the chicks beak Bob  Brilliant how you captured that, just at that precise moment  Elle xx |
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Hi Bob, welcome aboard. It sounds to me like very normal nesting behaviour and many of us are seeing it at the moment personally I think if they have chosen your box then they were very happy with it so I'd just leave things as they are. They do tap on the windows just to ensure they are sturdy I think. Looking forward to keeping up with your nest. 
until she was happy with the arrangement. 
Bob 
Brilliant how you captured that, just at that precise moment 