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Post by matt on Apr 21, 2023 7:46:00 GMT
A decent haul Pete - better get those mealworms in!!
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Post by sammi on Apr 21, 2023 7:46:10 GMT
Wow that's a family to rear Hope they all do well. I look forward to seeing the nest full of fluffy chicks.
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Post by pete11 on Apr 21, 2023 7:51:29 GMT
A decent haul Pete - better get those mealworms in!! Speaking of mealworms - what's the most effective way of putting them out? Just a container off the ground somewhere? Haven't got time to do anything fancy.
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Post by suep on Apr 21, 2023 8:44:07 GMT
Wow, that is a really good number Pete 👏🏻. On the matter of mealworm feeding, we all have our own methods on here, but you will lose most of them if they are in a container that larger birds can get to. Most of us use home made cages around dishes etc so that only blue tits can get to the feast. Good luck . Sue Ps, not at home at moment Pete or I would send a picture of the sort of thing sorry.
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Post by suep on Apr 21, 2023 9:03:10 GMT
Found this image online Pete. Sort of thing most of us use - keeps larger birds out but lets small ones in. Hope this gives you some idea to quickly find something you can use. Sue
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Post by karenupnorth on Apr 21, 2023 10:23:08 GMT
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Post by pete11 on Apr 21, 2023 12:33:12 GMT
Thanks 🙏 for the ideas. I feel a bit of DIY coming on...!
On a related note:
Newsflash: Robin seen today pulling up moss in the garden and flying up into the ivy on the fence...back and forth all morning, even in heavy rain. Foolish bird hasn't chosen my nice secure homemade box buried in the ivy further along...oh no, she'd apparently much rather take a risk on a more precarious location nearer the ground (and therefore nearer the cats and squirrels).🤷
I'll be attempting to sneak my trail cam into position at some point soon 🤓
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Post by pete11 on Apr 21, 2023 14:20:31 GMT
I think she's started incubating now as of this afternoon...
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Post by suep on Apr 21, 2023 15:19:24 GMT
Fantastic news and wonderful picture Pete. Sue
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Post by pete11 on Apr 21, 2023 18:59:27 GMT
Here's a little clip made of two moments from this afternoon... - she's left the eggs exposed in daylight for the first time without covering them up - easy to count! - she returns and rearranges them, settles down on them - then a little later he comes in and feeds her a morsel of something
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Post by suep on Apr 21, 2023 21:11:22 GMT
That is so beautiful Sue
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Post by pete11 on Apr 22, 2023 6:58:36 GMT
Ok so 12 eggs in fact....!
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Post by starling78 on Apr 22, 2023 7:10:14 GMT
Wow! they'll be busy
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Post by sammi on Apr 22, 2023 7:27:47 GMT
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Post by karenupnorth on Apr 22, 2023 7:47:51 GMT
Amazing pete, like sammi says will cost a fortune lol, but worth it to see them fledge successfully, I use live foods direct on ebay, they are very good and quick delivery too.
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Post by suep on Apr 22, 2023 16:10:22 GMT
OMG, Superb Pete . Sue
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Post by WildlifePaul on Apr 22, 2023 22:32:36 GMT
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Post by Beechnut on Apr 23, 2023 11:49:49 GMT
Looking forward to watching your BT nest Pete, 12 youngsters will certainly take some looking after, and an endless supply of mealworms will be the order of the day!
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Post by pete11 on Apr 23, 2023 21:45:34 GMT
Mealworms on order... And a feeder. Will probably need a DIY modification or two to make it blackbird and starling and parakeet proof.
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benn
Senior Member
Posts: 138
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Post by benn on Apr 24, 2023 19:56:19 GMT
WOW! 12 eggs Pete. Congratulations!
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Post by pete11 on Apr 26, 2023 22:14:12 GMT
Mealworms have arrived... They're tiny ones, which I guess is a good thing? 3 tubs all full of bran with the mealworms mixed in. Any tips on separating off the bran before I serve them up? Having failed to find a decent feeder, I'm resorting to DIY.... A tupperware box with a lid, into which I've cut three approx 32mm holes for entry/exit. Plan is to add mealworms, close the lid, and hang it somewhere suitable. Does it look as if it'll work?
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Post by pete11 on Apr 26, 2023 22:38:34 GMT
Forgot to mention nesting updates...
BT nest: she's still sitting on the eggs and he's still coming to feed her regularly
Robin nest: not seen any arrivals or departures to/from nest today...either they've abandoned it and gone elsewhere or she's sitting on eggs maybe. Basically gone v quiet!
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Post by suep on Apr 27, 2023 9:34:29 GMT
Mealworms have arrived... They're tiny ones, which I guess is a good thing? 3 tubs all full of bran with the mealworms mixed in. Any tips on separating off the bran before I serve them up? Having failed to find a decent feeder, I'm resorting to DIY.... A tupperware box with a lid, into which I've cut three approx 32mm holes for entry/exit. Plan is to add mealworms, close the lid, and hang it somewhere suitable. Does it look as if it'll work? Looks good idea Pete, whether they’ll use it is anybody’s guess. These little birds can be very choosy. Are you thinking of putting the mealworms directly on the floor of the tub or in a little dish of some kind? Only asking cause often they like something to land on and pick out a worm, not land directly on the worms. They may well love it though - getting in amongst a feast - who knows . Good luck Sue ps just a case of picking out the worms Pete or using some kind of sieve if you have one.
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benn
Senior Member
Posts: 138
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Post by benn on May 2, 2023 8:10:16 GMT
Wow! how are the birds taking to your plastic mealworm feeder Matt? I only ask because we had mixed success with the perspex one I knocked up the other year so I went back to the caged arrangement.
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Post by pete11 on May 2, 2023 17:47:05 GMT
I think it's a bit too cramped for easy access - I've put a small plastic tray on top of it for the time being, and put the mealworms on that instead. They're getting eaten but not sure by what - suspect Robins! We shall see. Plan is to move the tray back into the main box at some point once the birds have worked out the mealworms are actually there.
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