|
Post by matt on Apr 16, 2019 11:48:21 GMT
The week that I realised it probably wasn't going to happen was at the end of March I think when we got good weather back after 3 weeks of wind and rain. I was quite down in the dumps for a few days - especially when I saw the female with nesting material flying elsewhere - but I think I must have got it all out of my system in one go!
|
|
|
Post by WildlifePaul on Apr 16, 2019 12:14:41 GMT
That is true Matt, I guess you've had a few weeks to get it out your system. Lets hope for a second female or even a GT!
|
|
|
Post by suep on Apr 16, 2019 12:56:13 GMT
Well I feel truly gutted for you Matt, especially if he’s stopping anyone else using the box if he isn’t . You so deserve a nest. Sue
|
|
|
Post by WildlifePaul on Apr 19, 2019 14:42:42 GMT
No visits to your boxes in this lovely weather Matt?
|
|
|
Post by matt on Apr 19, 2019 15:48:47 GMT
I actually am still getting some visits Paul, but not posting them as nothing seems to change. The male is still doing the rounds of the boxes, and visited one box yesterday that hasn't been visited for almost a month. Not sure what, if anything, is going on but typically early morning the male will visit one or two of our three boxes, peck away at the floor and entrance and then leave until the next day. No signs of females and no crouching/calling from within the box so I reckon just a territorial type of thing perhaps, or checking that they are still there in case he finds a late lady? I'll leave the cameras on for another week, anyway - although I am also getting a few notifications a day from wasps as well, which is becoming annoying.
|
|
|
Post by WildlifePaul on Apr 19, 2019 16:22:07 GMT
Could be either Matt, Sounds like he is just checking everything out since he seen the GT visit, But he could also be making sure nothing is using the boxes incase he gets a late pair up. Latest I have had building start in one of my boxes from a late pair up was 20th April or 21st, It was one of them she had the nest built in 2 days and was egg laying by day 3. My first female started building 20th march so this was a month later than his first female, So still hope for another few days I'll say having the weather sunny and in the 20's should give that final push if its going to happen aswell. I must admit though, I think something as happened to my second female, I haven't posted about her for a while because she brought material into all 3 of my side view boxes, But I haven't seen her for 3 days now and the male keeps calling over the front where she seemed to picked the box (as the most material in) but nothing at all, I noticed today he's give up with the calling and with Tatty again all the time, I mean its good news for Tatty but I have 4 boxes with material in and no second nest happening. I can only imagine she's been killed, We have a male and female sparrowhawk in the garden daily, Infact the female one killed a starling this morning in the garden before taken it to the waste land field at the back to eat it. I know its easy for people with nests happening already to say "Don't lose hope" but I'd give it another few days yet, I think the next week is going to make or break for people with no nest at moment, I have my fingers crossed for you and anybody without a nest still Sorry for the long reply!
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 19, 2019 17:04:16 GMT
Wise words from Paul, fingers too crossed for you Matt! I have two fantastic boxes with great cameras and lights ......but oh no, they go for a box with neither that was put there for coal tits!!!!
My starling keeps sing his heart out but to no avail!!!
Frustrating to say the least!
|
|
|
Post by elle on Apr 21, 2019 12:11:12 GMT
Oh Matt, I truly am gutted for you Elle xx
|
|
|
Post by blueeyedchick on Apr 21, 2019 13:38:03 GMT
Sorry to hear Matt that they have bypassed you this year, bit like mine & Benn's Starlings. The males try so hard but it's up to the ladies at the end of the day. Know you are disappointed but hey-ho there's always next year!!!
|
|
|
Post by karenupnorth on Apr 22, 2019 6:53:13 GMT
So true blueeyedchick, Boulder tried and tried to 'sell' the tree box to the ladies but to no avail. but like you say always next year
|
|
|
Post by WildlifePaul on Apr 24, 2019 17:55:17 GMT
You still getting visits Matt or everything stopped? I know you would of posted if something had happened, But I am holding on to the small bit hope thats left heading to the end of the month.
|
|
|
Post by matt on Apr 24, 2019 20:01:05 GMT
Visits are fading now Paul. I was away with the family over Easter, but there were a few videos recorded when I got back. Interesting ones were two visits from the male where he popped into the box with a big grub in his mouth and then ate it in the box. Perhaps he felt safe in there, or perhaps he was trying to hide it from the missus
|
|
|
Post by WildlifePaul on Apr 24, 2019 20:29:42 GMT
Hope you had a good easter away with the family Matt, The cheek of it using your box as a little cafe after not giving you a nest kick him out! I was hoping you and few others would get some late nesters while we had the lovely weather. Guess all you can do now is over autumn / winter get anything in place for the new season and see where that takes us all. Looking forward to seeing your plans for that.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 25, 2019 9:24:54 GMT
A real shame Matt. Your set produces such great pictures and videos too!
|
|
|
Post by YorksherLass on Apr 25, 2019 11:21:46 GMT
I think the same - so sorry Matt.
|
|
|
Post by matt on Apr 25, 2019 13:50:47 GMT
Thanks guys but don't worry, its really not the end of the world. So much of everything seems to start happening at this time of year anyway; garden gets going, fishing kicks off in the sea near me, football season gets exciting. I only wish some of the excitement could be spread around the year a bit more! Still, it is a bit annoying that we have to wait another whole year until we get another crack at the nest box whip. I will definitely be putting up a sparrow terrace later this year just to see what happens - it would be great if we could get nesting interest right up to the summer with multiple broods. Maybe even look at a swift setup.. Plenty to do!
|
|
|
Post by WildlifePaul on Apr 25, 2019 14:32:33 GMT
Yes that is the sh*t part Matt, The wait again to see "Will they Wont they" all over again! Will be good if you can get the sparrows to nest, They stay loyal to the nest site so that be great its a nest 100% confirmed for you each year.
|
|
|
Post by matt on Apr 25, 2019 14:35:08 GMT
Yep, well I'll get a terrace thing up (3 boxes in one unit I am thinking) and see how it goes - probably no cameras for the first year but I'll make sure the box can take them if required. As I mentioned before there are loads around and they already nest in my house, so hopefully a few can be tempted in. The new chicks are going to need somewhere after all! At some point we are redoing the roof and dormer sides, which is where they currently nest, so they'll be a bit stuck then - will have to have a think about including nest boxes as part of the rebuild.
|
|
|
Post by WildlifePaul on Apr 25, 2019 14:42:21 GMT
Yes I imagine they would start using boxes if their natural nest sites get blocked with building work. Could have a full house when that happens Matt! My two have been little loners for 4 years The fella 3 doors down does have his house covered in ivy though, And a massive amount of sparrows nest in there! If you are in the garden just before dusk you hear them all in his ivy tweeting away and when feeding chicks come the comings and goings are insane! Got to be atleast 20 pairs for sure. Think my two must like the privacy though.
|
|
|
Post by karenupnorth on Apr 28, 2019 7:29:46 GMT
Hi Matt, Just wondered if you had a swift box up in place for their arrival?
|
|
|
Post by matt on Apr 28, 2019 7:42:40 GMT
No swift boxes this year Karen but something I might think about for next year. I think they will take a bit more planning than I have got time for at the moment! How about you?
|
|
|
Post by karenupnorth on Apr 28, 2019 7:51:20 GMT
No. I thought about it but haven't got round to it, think I have spent enough for now on the other boxes, I live in a bungalow and I am not sure if it will be too low for them to be honest. I need to research it a bit.
|
|
kevin
Senior Member
Posts: 123
|
Post by kevin on Apr 28, 2019 7:56:59 GMT
Hi Matt I have just caught up reading your thread, theres lots of coming and going within your next boxes. There is also the good bits and not so good bits of your nesting birds. I hope you get some more nesting birds Matt. My blackbirds nest is my first nest in ten years but my garden is secure and a lot more wildlife friendly now.
|
|
|
Post by matt on Apr 28, 2019 9:25:03 GMT
Thanks Kevin! To be honest I have given up hope for this year - no new visits at all now in the past week - but remain optimistic for next year Karen I live in a bungalow too. The only likely spot would be the gable ends, but people seem to do that successfully. One issue is that we are planning on have the house painted outside this year, so I think it would be better to leave everything until next year, or at least until after the summer. I am also planning a sparrow "terrace" on one of the gable ends. Should be a few more options for next year anyway!
|
|
|
Post by karenupnorth on Apr 28, 2019 9:46:21 GMT
Yes the gable end would be best place, I had a Sparrow terrace at the back but without any takers, the BTs took a bit of interest though, but I am going to put it round the front for next year, in hope they will be spotted by any Sparrows passing. I am making them camera able before putting them up just in case
|
|