jp
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Post by jp on Apr 25, 2020 9:13:05 GMT
Hi, new to the community and looking for some help or advice . I put up a nesting box last year and the first week or so I had a pair of blue tits nest and leave the nest with 9 chicks . All good . This year I had plenty of sightings of blue tits and Coal tits viewing the box but none seemed to take up residence. Yesterday 24th of april I have what appears to be 2 pairs of blue tits building a nest in the box. 3 tits definitely. 2 are doing the wiggle dance in and around the entrance and seem to be squabbling whilst the other ones look on . Is this 2 females attatched to one male tit and how will it end ? Hope someone has prior experience on this
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Post by WildlifePaul on Apr 25, 2020 9:16:55 GMT
Sounds very likely to be 2 females with 1 male. I've had this happen a few times (currently happening this year for me) However my females have picked different boxes, But if you've only got the 1 box I guess this wouldn't be an opinion. Its pretty normal for a male BT to have more than 1 female, Females will pair up with him due to the area he runs. Hope this helps, Welcome to the forum and I look forward to seeing your posts!
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jp
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Post by jp on Apr 25, 2020 9:23:18 GMT
Thanks for the reply, will they be able to thrive and nest in this scenario? And also they are a month later in nesting from last year ,is this normal?
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jp
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Post by jp on Apr 25, 2020 9:31:18 GMT
I also had problems with cats and magpies last year so I built a cage to protect the nest box . If I can upload a picture I will . It worked a treat.
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Post by WildlifePaul on Apr 25, 2020 9:47:42 GMT
Well if the two females use the same box it will be 3 blue tits feeding them all, So they will be fine. However if the male has 2 females in different boxes he always sticks with the female he paired up first with. So 1 will be on her own doing all the work, But with yours being in the same box I don't see a problem with raising a healthy brood. You could also supply live mealworms for them to help them out, Good place online for these cheap is "Live foods direct" If you buy a feeder like this one I have the BT's will use them to feed the babys if they find them sometimes they don't but most times they do.
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jp
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Posts: 13
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Post by jp on Apr 25, 2020 9:58:46 GMT
Thanks for your help mate . I will keep you posted on any changes .
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Post by WildlifePaul on Apr 25, 2020 10:05:40 GMT
No problem at all JP, We are a friendly bunch on here. So anything you need to know just ask, We aren't experts ourselves but after having nests for a few years we all pick things up and know how it works kind of thing. So everyone is happy to give advice from what they have experienced over the years. Looking forward to your updates, Hopefully everything runs smoothly for them!
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Post by Taz on Apr 25, 2020 13:44:47 GMT
Hi JP, welcome to the forum, we are a friendly bunch here and there is a wealth of knowledge too. Look forward to seeing what happens with your three BT's.
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Post by suep on Apr 25, 2020 14:01:16 GMT
Hi JP. Welcome to this mad family. As has been said everyone is always willing to help if any advice is needed. We all used to post on another forum before this one came into being and the people that ran that forum had exactly what you are describing. They had one male and two females in the same box and had a mountain of eggs between them. After a bit of bartering with the females they settled down and both tried to incubate the eggs. I cannot remember how many actually hatched but I know it was a good amount, so can be done. You are right that it is somewhat later than some, but shows it is still possible for them to get going. Good luck, and please keep us informed as to the outcome. There are links to lots of advice on this forum, including the uploading of photos etc - and if I can manage it I am sure you will. Sue
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jp
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Post by jp on Apr 26, 2020 6:54:36 GMT
Morning folks, this morning seems to have one bt going back and forward to the box entrance without going in and one bt following and hanging around doing that wee shuffle dance . I thought they were on their own but suddenly out pops another bt from the box and flies off. I find it strange behaviour tbh .
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jp
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Post by jp on Apr 26, 2020 6:57:12 GMT
My initial thought was the tit going to and from entrance was looking for its partner but now I'm thinking it could possibly be feeding it ?
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jp
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Post by jp on Apr 26, 2020 6:59:51 GMT
The bt that is returning to entrence is doing so in quick succession, reminds me of adults returning to box to feed young, that's the speed it's doing it at .
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Post by greatbluehopeful on Apr 26, 2020 7:11:41 GMT
Welcome to the forum JP!!!
Great to have another member experiencing the 2 female:1 birdbox scenario. It'll be interesting to hear the outcome.
Best of luck with your birdbox...these little fellas keep us guessing right to the end. More twists and turns than a neurotic pretzel!!!
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Post by hfriel on Apr 26, 2020 10:02:58 GMT
Welcome and best of luck, keep us updated
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Post by WildlifePaul on Apr 26, 2020 10:11:13 GMT
JP, Do you have a camera inside the box or are you seeing all this outside the box without a camera inside? The one going to the box and doing the little dance flight when flying away from the box sounds like the behaviour of a male BT, This normally happens when he is trying to attract a female to the box. Or if its spreading its wings at the entrance hole it could be because something is inside the box already and its give it abit of a shock, another bird or somethings even a BEE I watched out female who is currently sitting on eggs now pop her head in and out the box and very wary to come in (during building) she had her wings spread across the outside the box and seemed angry, flying back and forth from the entrance hole in the end it was because a bee was in the box she jumped in and scared it before picking it up and removing it.
Your box sounds alot like when was happening with my second box this year, I had two females building inside the one box, However one was bringing it all in and one was taking it all out! After 3 weeks of that and seeing 3 blue tits coming in and out the box 2 females 1 male one of the females just suddenly stopped coming, So the other female went on to build her nest and currently laying.
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jp
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Posts: 13
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Post by jp on Apr 26, 2020 14:06:34 GMT
Theres definitely 3 bt going around together . It looks like one stays in the box whilst the other 2 hang around then a few hours later they swap positions . I can tell the difference as one of the bt is slightly smaller . The bt going to the opening and the bt doing the wee shuffle dance are 2 separate bt
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jp
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Posts: 13
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Post by jp on Apr 26, 2020 14:10:10 GMT
Theres been no pulling of nesting material from the nest either. I've no camera but definitely doing that for next year
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jp
New Member
Posts: 13
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Post by jp on Apr 26, 2020 14:13:52 GMT
This morning the behaviour I described was taking place then all of a sudden a wee bt head popped out and flew off .
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jp
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Posts: 13
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Post by jp on Apr 26, 2020 14:47:13 GMT
Another thing I noticed that I haven't seen before, 2 of the bt at the feeder and one is feeding the other one , it doesnt look like a young either . I'm noticing alot of things during this lockdown 😂
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Post by WildlifePaul on Apr 26, 2020 15:07:11 GMT
Sounds all go at yours jp! Keep us posted, If you get a camera box next year you'll be hooked!
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Post by greatbluehopeful on Apr 27, 2020 8:59:22 GMT
Yes, I second that....the camera box takes all the guess work out of it. And one with WiFi capabilities so you can view on the go.
I'm currently in the same situation as yourself this year, where a Great Tit has chosen the box down the end of the garden, and I'm mostly viewing the activity from outside, from my kitchen window.
But I do have a camera in the box, but its not a Wifi one, so just have to run down to the shed to have a quick look to see the progress on the TV screen. Not the best scenario, considering the set up I have with my other two boxes, but I'm grateful they have chosen the box at all... as it was looking like they were going to pass me by again this year.
Anyway, sounds like its all going well so far with your three birds...nice to have the time to see it all.
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jp
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Posts: 13
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Post by jp on May 4, 2020 16:52:06 GMT
I've not seen much of activity near the box these last few days. The bts are on and around the garden and jumping about on the tree above the box . Theres definitely a nest inside from what I can see but not seen them going in or out of the box . Slightly confusing
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Post by WildlifePaul on May 5, 2020 10:56:33 GMT
Maybe she is egg laying? You barely see them when its egg laying stage, What would be worth doing is watching the box from around 7:45 and see if she enters to roost.
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jp
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Posts: 13
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Post by jp on May 5, 2020 13:37:19 GMT
This did enter my mind , it was pretty similar last year now that I think back.
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