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Post by blueeyedchick on Feb 11, 2019 11:52:52 GMT
Oh dear Diane I am laughing at your comment. We could also have 'Only the Lonely' by Roy Orbison Bless him he has been singing from 7.30am until about now when it's gone quiet and been in the box several times with his head sticking out and whistling merrily. Hubby had a spare cctv camera which he has rigged up for me to watch the nest hole, wasn't that kind?. It's not really very close to the box but will do until I can find a camera with wifi & zoom. I will try and post a little video of him going in and out if I can. Meanwhile site of Starling Box!
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Post by blueeyedchick on Feb 12, 2019 10:12:55 GMT
You will have to get your glasses on for this one it's the best I can do at the moment. Taken from our CCTV so not that clear or close but it's Spike singing for his Girl!!!! Will he charm her or won't he that is the question <iframe width="13.799999999999955" height="10.600000000000023" style="position: absolute; width: 13.8px; height: 10.6px; z-index: -9999; border-style: none; left: 5px; top: 59px;" id="MoatPxIOPT0_77833731" scrolling="no"></iframe> <iframe width="13.799999999999955" height="10.600000000000023" style="position: absolute; width: 13.8px; height: 10.6px; z-index: -9999; border-style: none; left: 630px; top: 59px;" id="MoatPxIOPT0_56514984" scrolling="no"></iframe> <iframe width="13.799999999999955" height="10.600000000000023" style="position: absolute; width: 13.8px; height: 10.6px; z-index: -9999; border-style: none; left: 5px; top: 528px;" id="MoatPxIOPT0_884048" scrolling="no"></iframe> <iframe width="13.799999999999955" height="10.600000000000023" style="position: absolute; width: 13.8px; height: 10.6px; z-index: -9999; border-style: none; left: 630px; top: 528px;" id="MoatPxIOPT0_89985829" scrolling="no"></iframe>
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Post by Deleted on Feb 12, 2019 14:06:09 GMT
Hello Kathy Good news for you too I see. Since I moved house 2 years ago to the south Starling numbers have plummeted, hope that is not the case in your area as that will increase your chances. From my experience they are the most beautiful of the song birds and great mimics too, but messy around the nest box!
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Post by WildlifePaul on Feb 12, 2019 16:25:10 GMT
Looking good Kathy, I really hope this leads to a nest for you
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Post by WildlifePaul on Feb 12, 2019 18:25:51 GMT
Thought you'd appreciate this video Kathy,
Seen it on twitter yesterday, Handfeeding a starling! Such a beautiful bird you don't really notice till you see them up close and realise all the details.
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Post by YorksherLass on Feb 13, 2019 12:26:20 GMT
I'm sure Kathy will love that clip Paul, I know I did when I saw it on Twitter too.
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Post by blueeyedchick on Feb 17, 2019 18:03:09 GMT
Spike with poo in his beak. sorry it's fuzzy but had to pause the video. Is this action significant I wonder? Males remove old nest before starting again but as this is a new box is he going through the process anyway I'm not sure.
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Post by WildlifePaul on Feb 17, 2019 18:08:33 GMT
LOVE your avatar picture Kathy heart I wouldn't know with the starling, However my male sparrow as been cleaning poo out the sparrow box for the last 2 days. He's done a pretty good job of it, Female as been helping here and there you'd think she would have more input since she is the reason the box is full of poo! Maybe we just have clean freak males ?
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Post by suep on Feb 18, 2019 20:33:49 GMT
Great pics Kathy, and loving the new avatar - superb Sue
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Post by sammi on Feb 18, 2019 22:39:31 GMT
Lovely pic Kathy. Fingers and toes crossed for you
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Post by blueeyedchick on Feb 19, 2019 9:32:27 GMT
Thanks Sammi Things might be moving along a tad if nest cam is anything to go by. Spike has brought in what looks like a couple of dried leaves at 7.20am. Not much I know but could be significant in the scheme of things However, although there are Starlings in the garden I don't know if he's still at the grab a bird stage or I need to buy a new hat for the wedding Any thing happening today with you?
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Post by sammi on Feb 19, 2019 10:05:52 GMT
Hi Kathy, sounds good but maybe hold back on the hat buying front until you get the invite. Quiet here so far....warming up weather wise later in the week.
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Post by WildlifePaul on Feb 19, 2019 11:17:04 GMT
Kathy, From what Ben said I think this is normal for the male starling, Its about like the male sparrow he brings some material in and tries to attract a female. Hopefully the female comes soon and she approves of his choice of nest site, I really do hope you get a starling nest!
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Post by blueeyedchick on Feb 19, 2019 11:41:16 GMT
Hi Paul Yes I think that is what he is doing too but I am eagerly awaiting to see if the female goes in the box then I assume she has accepted the site I know she is around. The leaves are actually seed pods now I have looked more closely, from my neighbour's tree which overlooked my back garden before it was cut down last summer. I was hoping to learn something new this season so hope I do! As they are cavity nesters like the Sparrows not surprising that they are similar in behaviour.
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Post by YorksherLass on Feb 19, 2019 12:50:28 GMT
I was hoping that you were going to say that Spike had found his true love at last heart but not yet it seems. Anyway, hopefully he won't have to wait much longer, otherwise I'll have to start listing more song titles e.g. Don't go breaking my heart!
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Post by blueeyedchick on Feb 19, 2019 13:36:42 GMT
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Post by WildlifePaul on Feb 22, 2019 18:32:28 GMT
Kathy, How is spike getting on? Still visiting? Do tell
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Post by blueeyedchick on Feb 23, 2019 9:08:46 GMT
Hi Paul Spike is still visiting. I have checked & counted my notes and find that since the beginning of this month he has been in the box 71 times!!!!!!& that's not counting the outside visits but didn't go in. (I am assuming it is the same bird) Flo is bringing in more grass this morning and a bit of moss plus nesting wriggles. It's a bit haphazard so not saying it's a nest just yet but don't think it will be long now after all that tapping she's done, Andy has turned up.
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Post by WildlifePaul on Feb 23, 2019 11:33:06 GMT
Great that he is still visiting! I so hope he finds a female.
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Post by blueeyedchick on Mar 1, 2019 11:29:51 GMT
17 Visits this morning. After this segment was filmed the bird came back into the box and behaviour was different to Spikes' routine so suggest it maybe the bird that left in a hurry! I hope for his sake he has managed to tempt a female but if so no guarantee she will like the nest site!
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Post by WildlifePaul on Mar 1, 2019 13:08:38 GMT
Oh kathy! Atleast he managed to get one in even if only for a few seconds! I really hope that this leads to a nest for you I think this might be your year lol2
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Post by blueeyedchick on Mar 1, 2019 13:54:44 GMT
I've slowed the footage down Paul and I don't think it was another male as there didn't appear to be any altercation at all. With Starlings being quite aggressive birds I would have expected to see that if it was a male. Unfortunately my mic has packed up so don't know if he was being aggressive vocally. Secondly with Spike being inside defending his box I think it is unlikely that a male would enter without there being a fight. However, as this is a learning curve for me I'm not sure exactly what I should be looking for so can't rule it out completely. There were no visits yesterday but as said today a different story. Prior to this at 7.30 another bird came in and was nervous and checking the window out so different behaviour to our relaxed Spike. Perhaps I have another pair looking for a site? It's frustrating not knowing how they behave BT's my only benchmark . Good to see your little brown birds are well on with their nest!
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Post by WildlifePaul on Mar 1, 2019 14:24:49 GMT
Yes Kathy, I think it would of been a female. Which is great news that he's managed to get one inside! Really hope she keeps visiting and they set up home for you
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Post by suep on Mar 1, 2019 16:00:47 GMT
Well that looks really positive to me - but then, what do I know . Really hope so for you. Sue
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Post by blueeyedchick on Mar 1, 2019 16:07:38 GMT
You and me both Sue!
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