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Post by sammi on Feb 21, 2019 18:16:59 GMT
O Hi Kathy A very poor photo but you can just about see the visitor poking her head out. Im not sure if she was tapping or not. I'm just posting in case I forget how to upload photos
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Post by Ann70 on Feb 21, 2019 18:40:08 GMT
lovely photo Sammi,
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Post by WildlifePaul on Feb 21, 2019 18:44:42 GMT
Glad the activity is carrying on for you Sammi!
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Post by elle on Feb 21, 2019 22:32:36 GMT
This looks great Sammi Elle xx
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Post by YorksherLass on Feb 22, 2019 11:52:52 GMT
I like your photo Sammi and I don't blame you for keep posting piccies .... you know what they say "use it or lose it" & it certainly applies to me!
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Post by sammi on Feb 22, 2019 13:19:42 GMT
Thanks all....the photo is from a couple of weeks ago when we had a nest wriggle/wiggle in the old box which has been relocated and has the old Aldi camera salvaged from the old Aldi box. I'm wondering if it was maybe the female from last year just reminiscing The past week has been very quiet on the visit front Yes I definitely need to keep using the old grey matter. I notice my status now reflects my advancing years
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Post by sammi on Feb 22, 2019 16:07:40 GMT
Well I've got renewed hope after reading this article I found RSPB wildlife adviser Val Osborne explains; “At this time of year, many birds are starting to do early checks of nesting sites to claim their patch. They tap around holes and in nestboxes, as visual and audible signs to other birds that this site is taken. Blue tits and starlings are the most obvious culprits but other birds will be showing similar signs.
After pecking around the hole, the birds are likely to disappear to get themselves in tip-top condition for the breeding season, but many people think they’ve left because the box entrance is too small.”
Read more at ww2.rspb.org.uk/our-work/rspb-news/news/302214-sold-signs-going-up-on-uk-nest-boxes#eKUZ6yX7PGbgamJZ.99
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Post by suep on Feb 22, 2019 16:20:30 GMT
Well that’s good news, mine are just getting in tip top condition to come back to my camera box lol - a girl has to have hope Sue
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Post by sammi on Feb 23, 2019 11:26:14 GMT
Exactly Sue. I am convincing myself that there are at least a couple of couples preening themselves as we speak ready to nest in our boxes. Interesting article.
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Post by sammi on Feb 24, 2019 13:58:36 GMT
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Post by WildlifePaul on Feb 24, 2019 14:06:49 GMT
Looks like a sparrow to me Sammi, Dunnocks beak isn't that thick its longer and more pointy, Plus dunnock wouldn't have no reason to check out the box I don't think as they don't use boxes. To me it looks very much like a sparrow beak, Possibly a male sparrow.
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Post by sammi on Feb 24, 2019 14:12:47 GMT
Quick visit to wasp free fence box. The sun is out
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Post by WildlifePaul on Feb 24, 2019 14:16:54 GMT
Brilliant Sammi! What size is the hole on your patio box? 32mm? Cause of that is a sparrow which looks like it is maybe theres interest for the box, If its below 32mm they won't be able to fit though.
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Post by sammi on Feb 24, 2019 14:17:36 GMT
That's my thinking too Paul. OOOhhhh the excitement builds From viewing from inside its tricky to see the nest box entrance and a silhouette is about the best you get if you twist your neck
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Post by sammi on Feb 24, 2019 14:22:18 GMT
hi Paul...its the larger of the two garden nature provide with the apex box so I think its 32mm. I upgraded the size to entice a great tit maybe or at least give them a chance. A sparrow nest would be great. Not getting too carried away though...………. Both my new boxes are 32mm so they are open to all comers
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Post by WildlifePaul on Feb 24, 2019 14:31:17 GMT
Oh thats great I love my little sparrow pair, Not only do they give me two / three nests a year they are so interesting to watch. And unlike the blue tits its full team work nest building / sitting on the eggs. If its a male and he picks your box he will bring a few pieces of straw in and sit on top of the box singing for a female. When he attracts a female if she approves she will start nest building if not he will carry on singing his little head off Sparrows stay very loyal to a nest site to, This will be my fourth year of the sparrows. Although I remember Sue having a nest and they didn't return so I guess it could go either way if there feeling the box or not Thats why I could never change my sparrow box at this stage I'd be too worried they hated the new one and I ruin it.
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Post by suep on Feb 24, 2019 19:56:25 GMT
That’s really exciting Sammi - looks like we could have quite a wide variety of nests this year - wouldn’t that be fantastic. Sue
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Post by sammi on Feb 24, 2019 23:13:25 GMT
Sue it would be lovely wouldn't it to get lots of nests on the site but I'm not holding my breath about my boxes. I haven't monitored this early in the year before now so it maybe just passing interest that I normally miss. Still interesting though. I was just closing down the computer this evening and noticed a lip of activity in the fence box. Blow me ...it was a wasp crawling back in and then it looked like it disappeared into the roof! ???
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Post by elle on Feb 27, 2019 20:45:14 GMT
Looking good for you Sammi, I hope the wasps don’t return Elle xx
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Post by sammi on Feb 27, 2019 20:51:32 GMT
Thanks Elle.......I haven't seen it since but blow me I got a little excited with a blip of activity in my old box and it tuned out it was a slightly befuddled looking bumble bee I think I'm probably going to start a new section on insect nests this season
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Post by elle on Feb 27, 2019 21:01:23 GMT
Even insects need nesting sites Sammi Elle xx
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Post by sammi on Feb 28, 2019 17:13:38 GMT
Ah yes Elle....everyone welcome at our Air B&Bee . My led light thingy arrived today and I gave to decide which box to put it in. The old Aldi cam box has the wrong connector for the camera I think so it will be one of my Garden Nature apex boxes. The patio one is easier to access to take down and is the one with a roosting male BT. The other fence box has had more interest in the house viewing department I think. Im sort of thinking out loud now but I have a feeling I had taken the feeders down for a few weeks last year to deter our rat....and I think that was the time we had a great tit take an interest in the patio box. I'm just wondering if this would make a difference to its chances of nesting there.....although the feeders have always been there and we've had BTs nesting in that box...but since I put the fence box up which is on the other side of the garden away from the feeders that box seems more popular. Now I'm thinking if they know the sparrow Hawks come hunting around the feeders then really it's not a good place to nest. Maybe I'll try to think of a better place for the feeders this year at least from now till the end of nesting time. Sorry to go on what is this emoji?
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Post by WildlifePaul on Feb 28, 2019 17:27:36 GMT
Oh you got an led light Sammi? You'll notice a massive difference in quality. You'll want them in all your boxes by the end of the season Its up to you Sammi, You know your garden better than anyone you know what works and what doesn't. And is a new emoji made me laugh when I seen it, I think its thinking and then he seems to knock half his brain off with his head Dont know just made me laugh really reminds me of me when I am having a moment 3 other new emojis too - lol2
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Post by sammi on Mar 2, 2019 7:34:57 GMT
Well the lights are in and Paul you were right I would love them in the other box now Can you guess which one has the new led lighting? I've also moved the camera slightly to see the entrance although not sure if I've lost too much of the back of the box? Now would a wide angle lens improve the set up?
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Post by sammi on Mar 2, 2019 9:32:29 GMT
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