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Post by WildlifePaul on Mar 31, 2019 19:28:28 GMT
Already planning the changes for next year Paul, although I do have three boxes already! To be honest I was rather (too) confident of a nest until the end of Feb at least, because I had had so many more visits to the boxes than the same time last year - it shows that you can never take anything fore granted. Next year I am planning a sideview box for sure, so will replace at least one (if not two) with those, since they seem to be very successful for those that use them and provide such a great view - win-win. It would be interesting to have a survey on nest box styles to try and find out what is the most successful amongst us. I still have a niggling worry that the lights might have put them off a bit - perhaps not if they are the only boxes around, but maybe the deciding factor in a close contest with another nearby box? Still, I think you absolutely have to have the lights - pic is so much better with them - but you could perhaps delay turning them on until the box has been chosen? You are like me Matt planning already Yes I believe lights are a must, The ones I am using do have a cap over the light sensor that will keep them from working until you remove the cap. The sensor turns them off at dusk you see, The only problem with that delay I think is if the birds start building then suddenly a light appears they aren't used to could spook them. So its one of them do I keep them on all time (which I do) and let them get used to it or leave it off and worry when you do finally turn it on you could spook them and they go. I mean my birds don't seem to be bothered about the leds, Sparrows or blue tits. But its up to you maybe you could leave the light on in 1 box and leave it off in 2 or something, Then if the blue tits visiting all boxes which they always do atleast they have seen one with the light on so won't be to much of a shock.
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Post by karenupnorth on Mar 31, 2019 19:35:15 GMT
Already planning the changes for next year Paul, although I do have three boxes already! To be honest I was rather (too) confident of a nest until the end of Feb at least, because I had had so many more visits to the boxes than the same time last year - it shows that you can never take anything for granted. Next year I am planning a sideview box for sure, so will replace at least one (if not two) with those, since they seem to be very successful for those that use them and provide such a great view - win-win. It would be interesting to have a survey on nest box styles to try and find out what is the most successful amongst us. I still have a niggling worry that the lights might have put them off a bit - perhaps not if they are the only boxes around, but maybe the deciding factor in a close contest with another nearby box? Still, I think you absolutely have to have the lights - pic is so much better with them - but you could perhaps delay turning them on until the box has been chosen? I have lights in all mine Matt but didnt take the sensor cover off (by accident)and then started getting lots of visits and nest wriggles etc and was kind of afraid to take it off in case the sudden change spooked them, not sure if it would have made any difference to them or not? I definitely plan on changing the tree box to one next year with a 28mm hole big enough for Great tits to get in as I had interest from them but they couldnt get in Paul not seen any nest material being moved at all to next door or any where down the gardens so far, but Boulder roosting in the tree box must signify his female is going to nest close by.
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Post by matt on Mar 31, 2019 19:49:24 GMT
Last year I had a few visits from great tits but the hole was too small (25mm). I then increased to 32mm and the bluetits nested, and I never saw the great tits again. This year I haven't seen any sign of GTs at all! (and all three boxes have holes that should be big enough)
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Post by WildlifePaul on Mar 31, 2019 19:52:55 GMT
Already planning the changes for next year Paul, although I do have three boxes already! To be honest I was rather (too) confident of a nest until the end of Feb at least, because I had had so many more visits to the boxes than the same time last year - it shows that you can never take anything for granted. Next year I am planning a sideview box for sure, so will replace at least one (if not two) with those, since they seem to be very successful for those that use them and provide such a great view - win-win. It would be interesting to have a survey on nest box styles to try and find out what is the most successful amongst us. I still have a niggling worry that the lights might have put them off a bit - perhaps not if they are the only boxes around, but maybe the deciding factor in a close contest with another nearby box? Still, I think you absolutely have to have the lights - pic is so much better with them - but you could perhaps delay turning them on until the box has been chosen? I have lights in all mine Matt but didnt take the sensor cover off (by accident)and then started getting lots of visits and nest wriggles etc and was kind of afraid to take it off in case the sudden change spooked them, not sure if it would have made any difference to them or not? I definitely plan on changing the tree box to one next year with a 28mm hole big enough for Great tits to get in as I had interest from them but they couldnt get in Paul not seen any nest material being moved at all to next door or any where down the gardens so far, but Boulder roosting in the tree box must signify his female is going to nest close by. Could be the case Karen, Our male is roosting in my handykam box which is on the house wall but you can see the purple tree box from it as its at back of the garden around 35 foot away I'd say. Female as been teasing me the last few nights, Coming into the box right before dusk during nest wriggles fixing all the material and when you think she is going to settle for the night to roost bam she flys out I think she will wait until the nest is complete first, Not far off it now expecting softer lining material to be brought in anytime really.
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Post by karenupnorth on Apr 2, 2019 17:15:11 GMT
Hi Matt, any further news with your boxes?
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Post by matt on Apr 2, 2019 17:42:49 GMT
Not a sniff Karen - I think it's pretty safe to say that it is unlikely to happen now. Don't worry though, if anything changes I will post it promptly I promise!
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Post by karenupnorth on Apr 2, 2019 19:12:08 GMT
I thought you would have posted but I just had to ask
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Post by WildlifePaul on Apr 2, 2019 20:12:50 GMT
I got excited then thinking something had happened You seen the female still building few doors down Matt?
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Post by matt on Apr 2, 2019 20:57:58 GMT
Haven't seen her building Paul, my suspicion is they are two gardens down but I only ever saw her once with nesting material. I did see both of them today a few times in my garden but only feeding together it looked like - on the feeders a bit and also in the damson tree.
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Post by elle on Apr 3, 2019 19:58:47 GMT
Sod em Matt, don’t let them use you, take the feed down!! Put a sign up saying “ if you know what’s good for you, you’ll give me a nest, or the foods not going back”! ........................I am only joking Matt......or am I?????? Elle xx
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Post by matt on Apr 3, 2019 22:22:42 GMT
I'd by lying Elle if I said that a similar thought didn't cross my mind
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Post by matt on Apr 6, 2019 7:10:22 GMT
First couple of visits for a week this morning - not getting my hopes up of course, but I thought I'd share a pic. He looks like he had a heavy night last night - a bit rough around the edges this morning! Karen do you think this is the same male?
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Post by WildlifePaul on Apr 6, 2019 9:00:58 GMT
You never know Matt, he could have a second female! I think that’s your best bet with seeing them building elsewhere. This does happen though, I have everything crossed for you over the coming week.
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Post by karenupnorth on Apr 6, 2019 9:11:07 GMT
I think so Matt, he has the mark under his eye line. They are really giving us the runaround this year. Boulder has been showing the tree box to another female, she has been in twice now, no nest wriggle though, but just now I saw Speck doing nest wriggles in it and cleaning Boulders poo out!! When she still goes into next doors box.
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Post by Amanda on Apr 6, 2019 12:23:18 GMT
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Post by matt on Apr 6, 2019 12:59:32 GMT
Here's the vid of this morning's visit, just because I don't get a lot to post at the moment No calling and no sign of the female, so I don't know what this was all about. Strange to see him with feathers as ruffled as this - not seen that before.
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Post by sammi on Apr 6, 2019 13:21:39 GMT
Matt he does look like he's (she's)a bit ruffled. A fight maybe? Suddenly things in my garden seem to have stepped up a notch...still hoping you'll get a nest.
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Post by WildlifePaul on Apr 6, 2019 13:41:01 GMT
I really hope he gets a female in for you Anymore visits since this?
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Post by elle on Apr 6, 2019 14:32:53 GMT
I’m with Sammi on this one Matt, maybe a fight has occurred so maybe he’s been forced out and so trying to entice a female to nest in that box after all, I do hope so for you Elle xx
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Post by matt on Apr 8, 2019 9:25:51 GMT
Don't get excited.. but something having a look this morning and it wasn't a bluetit. Almost sure it is a starling but this is the best shot I got:
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Post by karenupnorth on Apr 8, 2019 9:50:59 GMT
Matt very time you post I get a tinge of excitement does look like a starling,
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Post by WildlifePaul on Apr 8, 2019 9:53:00 GMT
100% starling I'd say Matt!
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Post by suep on Apr 8, 2019 12:12:47 GMT
Omg, seeing that at the hole would be so scary for any little bird. Maybe this is what the blue tit was hiding from in your visit. What a frightening world they live in. They must all be constantly on the lookout. Wonder if they have the equivalent of Valium in the bird world - they deffo need it. Sue
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Post by YorksherLass on Apr 8, 2019 15:27:31 GMT
Good grief Matt - when I first looked at the piccie I thought it was a vampire - it looked like a big finger with claws!
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Post by matt on Apr 8, 2019 16:21:39 GMT
Good grief Matt - when I first looked at the piccie I thought it was a vampire - it looked like a big finger with claws! I'd probably never make it as a hand model Diane but my fingers aren't that bad!
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