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Post by matt on Mar 29, 2019 16:00:10 GMT
Thanks Paul - me too! I suppose it is fair to say that the next week will be make or break. Fingers crossed, as always..
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Post by WildlifePaul on Mar 29, 2019 16:12:25 GMT
I would personally give it until around the 15th / 20th April mark before you give up Matt, Only saying this because when I have had more than 1 blue tit nest, Some have started mid April. We refer to them as "Late nesters" when its getting on later in season and building is underway for most. Normally you get these if your male as more than 1 female (always been case for me) or if their nest as been disturbed elsewhere.
Take 2016 into account for me 1st female - 21st March 2nd female - 16th April 3rd female - 21st April
This was when my male blue tit had 3 females, This does happen sometimes! So I would give it until 20th, If your getting no visits etc by then yes but still hope for the next 3 weeks I'd say. Even if next week brings nothing.
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Post by matt on Mar 29, 2019 16:56:29 GMT
You are prolonging the agony Paul! But to be honest it doesn't matter, since I won't "give up" as such - the boxes will still be there, and I will be alerted to activity, so it will be interesting to see if anything unfolds. But I guess a "round 1" sort of first choice nest would be starting now, or very soon.
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Post by karenupnorth on Mar 29, 2019 17:11:41 GMT
I would personally give it until around the 15th / 20th April mark before you give up Matt, Only saying this because when I have had more than 1 blue tit nest, Some have started mid April. We refer to them as "Late nesters" when its getting on later in season and building is underway for most. Normally you get these if your male as more than 1 female (always been case for me) or if their nest as been disturbed elsewhere. Take 2016 into account for me 1st female - 21st March 2nd female - 16th April 3rd female - 21st April This was when my male blue tit had 3 females, This does happen sometimes! So I would give it until 20th, If your getting no visits etc by then yes but still hope for the next 3 weeks I'd say. Even if next week brings nothing. This is what I am hoping for, Boulder had another one on the go last year so I hope once this female has started building next door which seems highly likely any day now then he will take up another in one of my boxes. He is still looking at yours Matt so this scenario is possible if the first female doesnt take one of your boxes.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 29, 2019 17:14:42 GMT
Right attitude Matt! I am devoid of daytime visits and my Starlings seem to have deserted me. But never mind, I have had great past seasons and will get more in the future!
In my area I just think that my neighbours nearer to the wooded areas on either side of our row of 11 houses of which I am in the middle now have nest boxes.
That is way the cookie crumbles!
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Post by matt on Mar 29, 2019 17:34:20 GMT
I think its the only attitude you can have Benn or else we would all go crazy. Having said that, I could possible increase my chances by going on a midnight raid to remove every neighbours' nestbox within a 100 yard radius
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Post by WildlifePaul on Mar 29, 2019 17:50:06 GMT
Now we are talking I’ll be on my travels from Liverpool to West Sussex to help you Matt! Get the job done in no time.
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Post by karenupnorth on Mar 29, 2019 17:59:10 GMT
Then head up to North Yorks!
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Post by matt on Mar 29, 2019 18:40:49 GMT
Just seen a bluetit in my front garden with a beak full of nesting material. Bit of a dagger blow that one (ouch!). Not sure of course if it is one of ours, but we really don't have a huge population of them locally so I'm guessing so. Tried to get a sense of where she was going when she flew off - one or two doors up I think, and at the back.
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Post by WildlifePaul on Mar 29, 2019 18:45:00 GMT
Oh Matt That kinda makes sense why the female wasn't as interested in visits as the male I guess. Really hope its a different set of blue tits for your sake or the male atleast gets another female
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Post by karenupnorth on Mar 29, 2019 19:10:00 GMT
Oh no Matt I know exactly how you feel, lets hope our males are gigolos and find another female each
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Post by Amanda on Mar 29, 2019 21:17:29 GMT
Hopefully a pair of blue tits will surprise you I had the pair who are nesting in next doors box mate right near to my tree box!.....well I think that’s what they were doing How long after mating do they start laying eggs?
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Post by matt on Mar 29, 2019 21:49:18 GMT
I think they just like to wind us up sometimes Amanda! How is the action in your box now? Any updates since they brought some nesting material in?
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Post by Amanda on Mar 29, 2019 22:12:23 GMT
I think they do Matt i am still having regular visits and double visits from the blue tits nesting next door. They are also the ones who brought material in to my box. I haven’t had anymore since.
Here is a clip of them today......it’s all very confusing
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Post by natalie on Mar 30, 2019 0:19:55 GMT
I am so sorry they’ve choose another place to nest
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Post by WildlifePaul on Mar 30, 2019 9:52:49 GMT
Matt, you seen the female getting anymore material this morning? If so do you know where she’s going yet? Any visits your boxes so far aswell?
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Post by matt on Mar 30, 2019 10:02:07 GMT
Nothing on both counts Paul.
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Post by WildlifePaul on Mar 30, 2019 10:08:17 GMT
Got everything crossed for you I hope your next update is a positive one!
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Post by karenupnorth on Mar 31, 2019 18:40:17 GMT
Hi Matt, any visits today?
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Post by matt on Mar 31, 2019 19:00:31 GMT
No, nothing at all for a couple of days now Karen. I think I'm calling this one, but if something unexpected does happen in the next couple of weeks I'll take it as a welcome surprise! I assume no change with you?
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Post by WildlifePaul on Mar 31, 2019 19:07:40 GMT
Such a shame Matt I am guessing its very likely the blue tit you seen with material was one of yours? Maybe the male will pair up with a second female during the coming weeks, Its a long shot but it does happen. You should introduce some new boxes next year Matt, Give them abit of choice rather than same style / shape. Thats what I do, To be honest I have way more boxes in the garden then I should have, But I do it to give abit of choice different areas different style boxes. If you don't get nest this year (hopefully you still do) maybe do a swap over with one your boxes keep 2 how they are then maybe the "moldy" one swap for new shape / style to add abit of choice. I still have everything crossed for you, I wouldn't lose hope until end of April. Late nesters do happen!
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Post by karenupnorth on Mar 31, 2019 19:11:13 GMT
No fairly quiet here too, even next doors visits have tailed off this last day or two, only change is that Boulder the male who is in charge round here is roosting in my tree box, which is lovely to see him. I dontno whether they are just playing for time till the trees are budding to their liking or what.
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Post by matt on Mar 31, 2019 19:15:51 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?
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Post by Amanda on Mar 31, 2019 19:16:13 GMT
I have had no visits today..... and I don’t had any roosters either. I am thinking the pair nesting next door will produce some more blue tits for next year. I have seen a few coal tits today which haven’t been chased away, I don’t know if they nest in boxes
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Post by WildlifePaul on Mar 31, 2019 19:16:37 GMT
No fairly quiet here too, even next doors visits have tailed off this last day or two, only change is that Boulder the male who is in charge round here is roosting in my tree box, which is lovely to see him. I dontno whether they are just playing for time till the trees are budding to their liking or what. Still hope for you if you haven't seen material being took elsewhere I'd say Karen. April tomorrow so next few weeks will tell what way its going to go!
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