jmw
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Posts: 11
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Post by jmw on Apr 29, 2023 18:08:44 GMT
For many years we have enjoyed watching bluetits nesting in our camera box. They seem to follow well documented behaviour and nesting patterns. Some years have been more successful than others. This year is different. We have two bluetits sitting on the same nest, at the same time and at all times of the day. Unfortunately I have not been able to spend much time watching during the day to see if there is a male visiting with food or if the birds leave the nest to find food. Has anyone else had two birds brooding simultaneously??
I have now seen the nest without either bird there and there are 15 eggs!
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Post by Ann70 on Apr 29, 2023 18:19:40 GMT
No this is not unusable it has happened on this forum
I think in 2016 to Malcolm and Elizabeth blue tit box
I’m sure there has been another one
I leave it to the experts to fill you in on their info
Good luck with watching the progress of the huge nest
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Post by suep on Apr 29, 2023 22:47:33 GMT
Springtime is right Malcom and Elizabeth had it happen more than once- it is written about on their homepage ‘Elizabeth and Malcolm’s Bluetit Pages’ if you want to read it for yourself.
A fascinating watch for you and hopefully a good outcome for a good number of chicks. Good luck and keep us informed of the progress.
Sue
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Post by sammi on Apr 30, 2023 5:40:06 GMT
Hi there. It sounds like a very interesting nest. I would love to know how things turn out.  |
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jmw
New Member
Posts: 11
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Post by jmw on Apr 30, 2023 9:06:49 GMT
Thank you for your input. I will continue watching with interest. However, it is a very old box (10 years?) bought from ALDI and has no video capture; plus the picture quality has deteriorated somewhat. Also, the box is not very big, so I fear that it will not be able to accommodate a 'double' clutch.  |
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benn
Senior Member
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Post by benn on May 2, 2023 8:06:49 GMT
Very interesting JMW. Keep us informed of their progress.
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jmw
New Member
Posts: 11
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Post by jmw on May 2, 2023 12:13:43 GMT
This morning I managed to see the nest without the birds being present. I could still only count 15 eggs. On the occasions I watch the nest, I have not seen the presence of a third/male bird. Each bird leaves periodically - presumably to feed. Also, I'm not sure when they started laying as we have been away. We must look into getting a new box for next year.
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Post by sammi on May 3, 2023 18:05:41 GMT
I used to have one of the Aldi boxes and I can understand your worries over a large clutch. I hope it all goes well  They must know what they are doing I suppose |
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jmw
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Posts: 11
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Post by jmw on May 6, 2023 14:34:41 GMT
Today we have seen some hatchlings! Both mothers are still with them and we have seen a third bird, presumably the male, enter the box with food. I now feel more hopeful about the clutch.
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Post by suep on May 6, 2023 15:22:16 GMT
Congratulations on the hatchling. Shame you can’t get a photo/video as would be a fascinating watch.
Sue
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Post by sammi on May 6, 2023 17:52:36 GMT
Exciting times. With three adults feeding they should do well. What a busy nest  |
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Post by Beechnut on May 7, 2023 9:55:15 GMT
This is going to be really interesting jmw if all the eggs hatch - there will be a need for some organised feeding pattern as the nest is going to be seriously overcrowded with 15 chicks and 3 adults! Best of Luck. |
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jmw
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Post by jmw on May 9, 2023 17:06:53 GMT
Just a quick update. All is going well. All three adults are playing their part and the chicks seem very active. Because of the camera quality it is hard to see but we have managed to count at least 11 gapes with the possibility of there still being an egg in the nest. Both mothers are working well together sharing feeding and brooding duties with visits from 'dad' with food. Already the box is looking quite full.
I wish I could provide some clear pictures.
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Post by sammi on May 9, 2023 17:18:19 GMT
I'm glad the nest is doing well. Honestly any photos are good. I can't imagine so many in such a small space  |
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jmw
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Posts: 11
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Post by jmw on May 12, 2023 18:40:17 GMT
Just a quick update. Everything is still going well with the double clutch. All three adults are still busy keeping them fed and clean. The chicks seem very active. Tonight we have seen at least 12 gapes at one point. They are beginning to find their voices. The box is looking very full and they are only one week old! As mentioned before the picture quality is bad - like looking through a thick fog and I don't have picture/video capture, but here is a quick snap taken of the TV screen (I hope).  Doesn't look like the picture loaded. I tried a link to Google drive. |
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Post by suep on May 12, 2023 20:03:18 GMT
Shame you couldn’t get the image to load. I think we all use Postimages.org to upload photos on this forum. Would have been great to see no matter how foggy. Glad all going well.
Sue
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jmw
New Member
Posts: 11
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Post by jmw on May 13, 2023 10:11:00 GMT
I'll try again to load the photo. One of the adults is on the right hand side of the picture.  |
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Post by suep on May 13, 2023 10:30:06 GMT
Well done for getting the picture up jmw. Plenty of gapes and the parents must be doing a good job. Quite a rare sighting so lovely for you to observe.
Sue
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jmw
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Posts: 11
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Post by jmw on May 17, 2023 12:07:14 GMT
Just another update.
Quite upsetting this morning to watch the 'mothers' struggling to remove some dead chicks. We're not sure how many. It was not easy for them to extract them through the hole. At times it resulted in a tug-of-war. While all this was going on, Dad was still visiting with food!
Things have settled down now and we have still managed to count at least 9 gapes. The remaining chicks seem quite active and hungry. All three adults are playing their parts.
I am not surprised there have been casualties. Some of the weaker chicks must have been trapped underneath by their stronger siblings.
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Post by suep on May 17, 2023 13:27:13 GMT
That is so sad, but hopefully the remaining ones will have more space and get more attention. Horrible to witness for you.
Sue
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Post by pete11 on May 17, 2023 14:53:18 GMT
I'm sure my lot must have lost at least one in the same way, but with my camera the way it is I can't check every minute of every hour so missed the event(s). It's gruesome to us but just matter-of-fact to them. They're more concerned with preserving the ones still surviving.
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jmw
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Post by jmw on May 21, 2023 17:54:57 GMT
Just another update.
All seems well with the chicks. It is not easy to count them now they are so big. There are at least 8-9 of them. Their eyes are open and there is a lot of preening and flapping of wings. As they are now 15 days old it won't be too long now before they fledge. The parents have done a sterling job looking after them.
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jmw
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Post by jmw on May 26, 2023 15:00:25 GMT
Today, the chicks have started to fledge. At least three have gone. We aren't sure how many viable chicks there were in the end. We could always account for six but there may have been a seventh. There are now three live chicks left in the nest. From what we can make out, there maybe some 'remains' at the bottom of the nest.
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Post by sammi on May 27, 2023 6:41:43 GMT
I'm glad that some fledged successfully. I hope the rest fledge safely. Good luck next season.
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jmw
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Posts: 11
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Post by jmw on May 28, 2023 7:51:02 GMT
They've now all gone.
We will look into getting a better camera setup for next year.
Thank you for your interest and support.
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They must know what they are doing I suppose 
