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Post by matt on Nov 24, 2019 15:24:24 GMT
No roosters for me either, but I don't mind too much. I hadn't seen longtail tits before in our garden, but this autumn they have started coming in a flock of 10 or so and staying for a few minutes - they popped in about an hour ago, actually. Lovely birds, apparently not really related to tits and not nest box users - but they do have a very interesting nest building technique.
I am surprised by how may bluetits we've had in the garden recently. I know that they do flock up over winter, but it does go to show that there are plenty in the area.
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Post by Amanda on Nov 24, 2019 17:38:09 GMT
That’s great news Matt, fingers crossed for a rooster in the next week or so With the new great tit in my tree box, there was increased activity, longer stays over a few weeks before it committed. It comes in about 1620ish each evening. I’ll be looking out for your thread now
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Post by springtime 66 on Nov 25, 2019 6:24:42 GMT
yes Matt, my bluetits and great tits has increased in numbers this Autumn, which is really good news, so i am feeling very positive about the spring. long tail tits they have come in a group here before, but normally in twos, hope they stay around for you i look forward to reading your posts
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Post by karenupnorth on Nov 25, 2019 11:41:52 GMT
Great to see lots of activity for you Matt with all the work you have put in. We get the occasional flock of Long tailed tits, such sweet little birds, can usually hear them before you see them. I was lucky to see my first Waxwing in the garden last week I have had some interest in the boxes too, by both Blue tits and Great tits, cant wait till net year!
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Post by matt on Nov 25, 2019 11:44:40 GMT
Not long to go now Karen! I've noted from the two years I have had the cameras that activity really picks up for me from mid Jan onwards - that's when all the boxes started getting almost daily visits, so I suppose they had really started scoping out nesting sites. That's only 8 weeks away!
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Post by matt on Nov 27, 2019 8:53:11 GMT
Very short vid, but the first time a bird has actually gone inside the new sideview box so I thought I would share:
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Post by YorksherLass on Nov 27, 2019 14:14:44 GMT
Short video as you say, but very sweet & such beautiful colours as usual Matt. yahoo_clap
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Post by Amanda on Nov 27, 2019 17:20:03 GMT
Great news. Matt
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Post by springtime 66 on Nov 27, 2019 17:29:05 GMT
Good News Matt, hope your luck rubs off on me. you deserve your boxes to be occupied this spring. i have been having more visits so far than this time last year, so I'm forever hopeful i will be home for the next few days so i hope to switch my camera on if i see any activity on the box im just loving seeing so many bluetits and greatits coming to my feeders
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Post by matt on Dec 2, 2019 10:37:03 GMT
Another visit this morning to the same box, and some welcome winter sunshine! Another half hearted "wriggle" as well, I wonder if this is a female?
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Post by karenupnorth on Dec 2, 2019 11:27:37 GMT
Pretty bird ! Visits are getting going here too yahoo_clap
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Post by sammi on Dec 13, 2019 16:16:28 GMT
Great to see you are getting some interest in your boxes. Lovely pics. Hurry up Spring.
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Post by Amanda on Dec 13, 2019 20:41:44 GMT
Lovely, great clear picture of your visitor Matt
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Post by WildlifePaul on Jan 6, 2020 11:24:07 GMT
Amazing quality as always Matt, I hope this year is a success for you!
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Post by matt on Jan 7, 2020 19:28:24 GMT
Thanks Paul - me too! So many more bluetits in the garden over this winter compared to last, so fingers crossed. Lots of longtail tits as well, which is nice to see, although I know they don't use nest boxes. Still getting the odd visit, but if the last two years are anything to go by I would expect things to ramp up soon. Here's a short vid of a visit from a couple of days ago, and another this morning. Both to the same box - seems s/he took exception to a bamboo leaf that had somehow blown in the hole but was unable to extract it. Even a minor "wiggle" if my eyes aren't deceiving me.. not the first in the last few weeks, either. Oh - and I'm just putting the finished touches on box no. 5 which should go up in the next couple of days. I had a camera spare, so why not?
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Post by matt on Jan 10, 2020 9:53:52 GMT
A quick still from a visit this morning to the sideview box. I was lucky enough to watch it going in and out from my office. Loads of birds around the feeders this morning; longtail tits, bluetits, great tits and robins (and starlings!). One of those lovely, sunny winter's days that always seems to get them going. Hope to put my fifth box up tomorrow at some point as I have now finished setting up the camera (another sideview box). I think this is a different bird than most of the other recent visits. Seems a bit scrawnier? Perhaps a younger one. Certainly no shortage of bluetits in the garden this winter - I've counted six at once this morning, hopping around the hedge and feeders. I guess they will stop their winter flocking behaviour fairly soon though?
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Post by springtime 66 on Jan 10, 2020 10:06:37 GMT
good luck Matt, seems like you are going to be successful this year. your hoping like me that the sideview box is used
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Post by matt on Jan 10, 2020 10:09:02 GMT
Thanks but too early to get excited I think - had loads of visits last year as well! Fingers crossed though, definitely a lot more birds in general now that the garden has grown a bit of vegetation.
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Post by matt on Jan 10, 2020 10:48:04 GMT
Visit to a different box this morning. I reckon this is another bird - any thoughts? A bit fatter and better condition all round, or is it just the camera angle?
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Post by springtime 66 on Jan 10, 2020 11:16:02 GMT
yes to early to be excited, but i like to see an interest being shown when i see them land on the box.
hard to tell Matt, i can't see a lot different to be honest.
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Post by karenupnorth on Jan 10, 2020 12:38:52 GMT
Great to see the activity is starting, love watching them, really hope we get nests this year Matt with regards to the two BTs its hard to tell at those angles, see if you can get some pics of them in similar position. Lots of BTs here this morning too, feeding and taking a look at the boxes. I have ordered another video capture device so I can get recordings from two of my boxes
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Post by WildlifePaul on Jan 12, 2020 12:51:48 GMT
Stunning pictures Matt, I love your quality! If you don't get a nest again this year i'll be down to West Sussex and having a word Your blue tit numbers will drop by more than 50% soon probably Matt, I normally have around 20 regular visitors over winter, By time we get ti mid February that number is reduced to around 5 or 6 so big drops. Hopefully the male that starts controlling your area is on it with your boxes and getting females to them! I have everything crossed for you, I really hope to god this year you don't get overlooked again!
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Post by Amanda on Jan 13, 2020 14:35:24 GMT
Super clear pics as always Matt. Fingers crossed you get an nest or two this year. Did you get your 5th box up?
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Post by matt on Jan 13, 2020 15:28:59 GMT
Super clear pics as always Matt. Fingers crossed you get an nest or two this year. Did you get your 5th box up? It's just about ready Amanda, but I think I will wait a couple of days until storm Brendan has passed through! I hope it won't be too late for them to get used to it.
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Post by Amanda on Jan 13, 2020 17:28:09 GMT
Super clear pics as always Matt. Fingers crossed you get an nest or two this year. Did you get your 5th box up?
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