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Post by karenupnorth on Mar 19, 2019 8:32:32 GMT
yay!! Really pleased for you Matt
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Post by WildlifePaul on Mar 19, 2019 9:45:41 GMT
Glad he’s visiting again Matt, Let’s hope the female now follows!
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Post by matt on Mar 19, 2019 9:48:47 GMT
Yep. Not sure what the thought process is behind today's visits, just a quick look in all three boxes to check that they are still there (and unoccupied)? Not sure whether this means that they definitely haven't started somewhere else and he is keeping his options open, or whether they just haven't decided yet? I agree though it would be nice to see the female back as well - baby steps!
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Post by suep on Mar 19, 2019 12:43:40 GMT
Great positive news Matt , now let’s hope he entices that little female to one of the boxes. Keeping everything crossed for you Sue
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Post by WildlifePaul on Mar 20, 2019 16:15:01 GMT
Anymore visits for you today Matt?
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Post by matt on Mar 20, 2019 17:15:27 GMT
Nothing today Paul.
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Post by karenupnorth on Mar 21, 2019 7:51:33 GMT
Praying they come again and make a start
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Post by matt on Mar 21, 2019 12:41:46 GMT
A fleeting visit to one of the boxes by the male just now. I shall endeavour to keep you all posted
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Post by karenupnorth on Mar 22, 2019 16:28:19 GMT
Any visits today Matt? Its been oddly quiet in my garden all day, a bit cooler though today but still mild.
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Post by matt on Mar 22, 2019 16:45:25 GMT
Lot's of birds about around here today, but no visits to any of the boxes unfortunately.. How about you?
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Post by karenupnorth on Mar 22, 2019 17:00:39 GMT
Not seen any visits today at all by the BTs, apart from around 7am this morning when they came for a feed.
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Post by matt on Mar 22, 2019 17:03:01 GMT
I've got my fingers crossed for both of us Karen! I wonder is there a general sense on this forum that things are happening earlier than last year or not? Last year I think I was later than most, with first building starting on 8th April. That does keep my hope alive a little bit Mind you, I was getting way more visits in March last year, but this year I got way more in Feb than last. Who knows?
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Post by karenupnorth on Mar 22, 2019 17:59:15 GMT
Definitely earlier this year, you were a few days ahead of me last year. My pair had been visiting the box daily for weeks chipping away at it for ages before I saw her bring moss in. I think last year the terrible March we had delayed them quite a bit. Well who knows what tomorrow will bring.
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Post by WildlifePaul on Mar 22, 2019 20:42:06 GMT
Last year was a one off with it being so late to be honest Matt, Nest building as always started March for me apart from last year due to the cold snaps we had, Everyone was delayed.
My nest building for the years that I have recorded / wrote down is 2014 - 24th March
2015 - 27th March
2016 - 20th March
2017 - 10th March
2018 - 1st April
If the weather is bad during march / cold / raining etc its always late march around 20th onwards, If we have good weather it can be as early as beginning march. This time of year we are in now coming to end of march is the usual time for this, Giving the weather being alright aswell it should only boost activity.
However if your bird does build in April she will build that nest fast for you, In 2016 my nest building started 20th March but that year I had 3 females 1 male and my 3rd and final female didn't start building until mid April she had her nest done in 2 days.
I wouldn't lose hope until maybe when we past mid April if no visits / no activity then probably won't get a nest, But you have like 3/4 weeks before we get to that stage yet. I wouldn't worry at all.
Its just the waiting game "will they wont they" it goes on FOREVER (well so it seems)
There's still a fair few on here that haven't had the first material yet or regular visits, The birds know when to get started, Don't even worry yet give it a few more weeks until you get to the stage of worrying.
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Post by matt on Mar 22, 2019 21:43:11 GMT
Yes, fingers crossed Paul I also wonder if the local forage plays a part in when the birds decide to nest? I know for my birds they spend all their time in a pair of oak trees about 30 yards from our garden, and oak isn't the earliest into leaf. Maybe if the local trees are something like hawthorn, which comes into leaf much earlier, they would adjust nest times to compensate? Just a theory!
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Post by WildlifePaul on Mar 22, 2019 21:58:41 GMT
Yes matt, That does play a big part init. They time everything perfectly for the caterpillars. If they leaves on your trees aren't coming out yet could slow them down a little until they show signs of opening.
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Post by karenupnorth on Mar 25, 2019 7:32:46 GMT
Hows things looking down your way Matt.Good weather forecast this week. Got all crossed for you.
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Post by matt on Mar 25, 2019 8:05:02 GMT
Nothing doing Karen, but lots of bird activity in general, including a crow eviscerating one of our dog's plush toys for nesting material! Lovely day yesterday and today, so fingers crossed. Hope is dimming but not gone - yet! How about you?
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Post by matt on Mar 25, 2019 8:17:53 GMT
..and almost as soon as I stopped typing that, a visit! First in a week, and two birds involved which is a first in a month. STOP TEASING ME!!
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Post by Beechnut on Mar 25, 2019 8:21:38 GMT
Good Luck with that then Matt.
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Post by karenupnorth on Mar 25, 2019 8:29:19 GMT
Awesome Yes plenty happening up here, sadly its all happening next door though, no nest building as yet that I have seen, expect it any day though really. I think my only hope is that he gets another female as well as his current one and he uses one of my boxes with her. I so hope these two choose your box, I will be checking your updates with great expectations
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Post by matt on Mar 25, 2019 8:38:21 GMT
Fingers crossed Karen, for both of us - it's crunch time, really. One thing that has perhaps lifted my hopes a (small) notch is that the male brought the female today - last week he didn't, so I thought she might have been busy building somewhere whilst he kept an eye on back-up locations. If she is still visiting today though, does that mean she still hasn't started anywhere? Be nice to think so.
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Post by petesbox on Mar 25, 2019 8:43:40 GMT
The BT's are teasing me as well Matt.
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Post by karenupnorth on Mar 25, 2019 8:53:45 GMT
Fingers crossed Karen, for both of us - it's crunch time, really. One thing that has perhaps lifted my hopes a (small) notch is that the male brought the female today - last week he didn't, so I thought she might have been busy building somewhere whilst he kept an eye on back-up locations. If she is still visiting today though, does that mean she still hasn't started anywhere? Be nice to think so. This is what confuses me, as my male was still taking the female to my boxes last week, so it made me think perhaps she hasn't choose just yet, but then they are going to next doors box 90% of the time in between visits to mine. So I give up trying to figure it out.
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Post by matt on Mar 25, 2019 8:59:00 GMT
It's a tough one Karen - I don't know the answer - maybe they keep their options open before building starts, but do you think the male would still be bringing the female to other boxes once building had already kicked off? If not, then we are still in with a shout!
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