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Post by YorksherLass on May 16, 2019 10:08:54 GMT
Well, depending on your point of view, I'm lucky that we don't get starlings at all. We used to until about five years ago but not anymore, now they seem to hang around a Retail Park outside Greggs, (obviously love their sausage rolls as I do) & the others are around the lake two miles away.
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chrisp
Junior Member
Posts: 99
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Post by chrisp on May 17, 2019 10:28:14 GMT
Had a bit of a scare last night. Both tits feeding chicks mealworms from the feeder. Very busy up to about 8.0 pm. I was then expecting her to come in for the night, but by nearly 9 she still wasn’t in. I know they don’t usually roost in the box when the chicks get bigger but they are only 11 days old and although quite well feathered still have a lot of bald patches.
Anyway after a worrying night I got up at 5 thinking they might not have survived but they thankfully had ,and by 5.30 were being fed from the feeder by both parents. Big sigh of relief I can tell you.
I think she has decided to sleep elsewhere as although there’s only three chicks the nest is so shallow that she seems perched on top of them. Can’t be very comfy with them wriggling about all night. If she stays out tonight at least I know now that they will not get too cold. Goodness what these bird put us through. Does anyone else age ten years during this time of year. 😫
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Post by Ann70 on May 17, 2019 10:34:50 GMT
hi Chris that was a worrying time for you, glad all was well this morning, especially as the temp has dropped and wind has picked up or it has here not sure if you have the same, yes I've been worried about my bluetits having only Martha to fed them but is doing amazing job,ive no clue how many there are, but i hope when they fledge i will see them
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chrisp
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Posts: 99
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Post by chrisp on May 17, 2019 14:30:52 GMT
Yes Ann I’ve aged a few years during the night. All seems well today. It’s turned so cold. We had a little rain this morning but it’s grey and cold .got the heating on again. It’s a worrying time with only one parent feeding ,hope your Martha manages to keep it up. At the moment there seems plenty about . Ours keep alternating between the mealworms and some sort of huge frilly caterpillar. 😳. Here’s hoping the weather warms up soon.
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Post by suep on May 17, 2019 15:29:08 GMT
My goodness Chris, what a worry for you. These birds certainly age us with all the worry. Glad all’s well now . Sue
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Post by YorksherLass on May 17, 2019 16:04:54 GMT
Relieved everything is OK with your chicks Chris I know what you mean about the cold. My husband is complaining it's cold, but it's not cold enough to put our heating back on up here - unfortunately he feels cold all the time & would have the heating on all year if I let him. It's his medication causing this, he's cold when I'm nearly passing out with the heat. Suffice to say, he didn't suffer too much last year in that 30 degree heat, whereas I was wishing I could live in a freezer!
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chrisp
Junior Member
Posts: 99
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Post by chrisp on May 17, 2019 16:44:22 GMT
Thanks Sue and Diane. I know tonight not to worry. You must be like my husband Diane. He’s a Yorkshire man , always short sleeves , no sweater, while I am the wimpy southerner. More often than not with a fleece on. ☃️
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Post by YorksherLass on May 18, 2019 8:28:08 GMT
Not quite Chris, today I'm wearing a short sleeved woollen jumper & cardigan & will take my cardigan off if the temp hits 19 degrees. My husband is closeted in the kitchen with an oil filled radiator on, so the heat hits me when I have to go in there! He was born in Silvertown, London but he "emigrated" up North in 1970.
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Post by WildlifePaul on May 18, 2019 11:56:32 GMT
Oh bet you was well worried Chris, Glad everything is fine though and your 3 little ones doing good! What a dramatic year for most of us this turned out to be.
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Post by elle on May 19, 2019 19:08:15 GMT
I’m so glad things are going ok for your 3 musketeers!!! Chris
Elle Xx
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Post by suep on May 20, 2019 9:40:20 GMT
Hope your three are still being fed really well and thriving Chris. Need to hear good news at the moment. What a year with all its ups and downs it’s been. Hope yours give us all a good ‘up’. Sue
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chrisp
Junior Member
Posts: 99
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Post by chrisp on May 20, 2019 12:37:12 GMT
Yes Sue, fingers crossed all will continue with both parents feeding well. With only three chicks I suppose they are having it easy especially as they are both using the Mealworms regularly. They are beginning to look like little tits now. . I must be stupid but I can’t see how to put a little video on here. When it says choose an image it only shows my photos. I can’t see anything else to click on. Photos and videos are all on my iPad. Perhaps I have to put them somewhere first ?
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Post by suep on May 20, 2019 12:56:00 GMT
Hi Chris, Paul is the best one to answer this, but I do know that you have to upload to YouTube first and copy the number it gives you when uploaded, then come back to the forum, click reply to start a conversation then hit the little icon next to the photo one ( black film sign) and it will let you post your video directly to the forum. Not a very clear explanation, sorry. So glad all going well for you. Sue
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chrisp
Junior Member
Posts: 99
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Post by chrisp on May 20, 2019 14:55:40 GMT
Thanks anyway Sue. I haven’t got YouTube or Facebook or anything like that . Never mind it’s just a had a funny video of the three chicks and mother. Seems to be a funny year egg wise. Our tortoise was off her food today a sure sign eggs are near. She usually goes around touching the ground with her nose testing for warmth. She wasn’t doing that so we constructed her maternity mound in the greenhouse ready for perhaps tomorrow. An hour later she’d laid 10 eggs on the lawn. Nine normal size ,one the size of a blue tits egg. 😂 It’s becoming quite a strange year.
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Post by WildlifePaul on May 20, 2019 15:09:32 GMT
Yes Sue is right Chris, You need to upload it to Youtube video, Then use the little black icon next to the one you use for picture up and copy and paste the youtube link into that. Youtube accounts very easy to make, Takes a few minutes if that.
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chrisp
Junior Member
Posts: 99
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Post by chrisp on May 23, 2019 13:14:22 GMT
Nearly ready for the off. I reckon sometime this weekend. Plenty of wing beating. One seems a lot bigger than the other two but I think it’s because he’s always near the front and nearest the camera. Proper greedy guts. 😂 Apologies for awful pics. Why do I always get yellow wavy lines on the TV when it’s showing camera.
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chrisp
Junior Member
Posts: 99
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Post by chrisp on May 23, 2019 13:15:48 GMT
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Post by YorksherLass on May 23, 2019 14:33:02 GMT
Lovely pic Chris - hope all goes well.
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Post by WildlifePaul on May 23, 2019 15:30:52 GMT
Great picture, All look very healthy.
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Post by elle on May 23, 2019 21:08:38 GMT
Brilliant picture Chris, empty nest syndrome looming!! Hope all goes well
Elle Xx
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chrisp
Junior Member
Posts: 99
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Post by chrisp on May 25, 2019 10:11:04 GMT
All three fledged this morning at 8.30 ish. Smaller one who is nearly 2 days behind was a bit reluctant to go . Almost went a couple of times with us cheering him on then finally plucked up courage. They stayed in the tree for a while and then moved on to next doors apple tree, haven’t seen them for a while so perhaps they have moved on. I’m hoping parents will still come back to collect mealworms and perhaps bring the babies. Feel quite sad now they’ve gone even though I wished at times fledging couldn’t come soon enough. Hope everyone’s chicks a successful fledging, the weathers staying good which is a blessing.
Chris
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Post by Ann70 on May 25, 2019 10:21:08 GMT
Congratulations, for the successful fledging, i hope you do get chance to see them around you garden, Chris
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Post by Beechnut on May 25, 2019 10:35:47 GMT
Good work Chris - keep your eyes on that nest box!
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Post by blueeyedchick on May 25, 2019 11:13:44 GMT
Fantastic news on your fledging Chrisp after all that concern and fretting! Hope they will be safe and sound and come back next year to your box. Mine are wing flapping I can hear them as I write this but don't think flying day will be today.
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chrisp
Junior Member
Posts: 99
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Post by chrisp on May 25, 2019 11:56:47 GMT
Thanks everyone. Your fledging sounds imminent Kathy. We had terrific wing flapping yesterday. It’s really loud not surprising you can hear from outside. Parent has been back a few times .went to feeder then looked in box and then flew off with worm. I’m glad they remember where to come and hopefully eat some of these worms . I’m throwing a lot out for the blackbirds too and put the feeder back up that the robins can get into. Hopefully I shall get to see something of the little ones.
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