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Post by matt on Mar 5, 2024 16:22:22 GMT
Hello! I am back - so busy last year with new job etc that I have just not had time to post on here, although have checked in occasionally to have a browse.
State of play here is that I have a huge amount of blue tit activity in the same box that they used last year, but little happening in the other bluetit boxes (less visits than usual, evn). I also have a lot of sparrow action in the box that they *almost* nested in last year, so fingers crossed they actually do it this year.
Confession: I was so busy at the end of last year that I didn't clean out my boxes. Hopefully this won't be an issue, since I guess this must be the default in natural nests. The bluetits have removed much of last year's nest already, but the sparrows have only added to what was in their box (although last year was just a half completed nest and no eggs).
Good luck all with the new season and I will get some pics up when I have something worth posting!
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Post by Ann70 on Mar 5, 2024 18:11:27 GMT
Good luck Matt with the new season hope it’s a successful one for you look forward to your updates 😊
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Post by karenupnorth on Mar 6, 2024 12:39:51 GMT
Great to hear from you Matt, sounds promising already for the new season! Good luck and look forward to seeing the pics.
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Post by suep on Mar 7, 2024 10:32:45 GMT
Hi Matt, good to hear someone else is starting with a not so clean box 🫣. Cleaned mine out at the end of last year but have had a rooster since early October and it’s a very messy male. The box is full of poo but the female has been clearing it bit by bit - not good as of yet- however I can’t get up to take the box down for cleaning (don’t fancy falling four floors down over the balcony) and promised hubby wouldn’t get him involved this year. As you rightly point out, they do it in the wild and I know Kate Humble never clears her boxes. Let’s hope we still get nests regardless of the box conditions 🤞.
Good luck to all for the coming season .
Sue
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Post by karenupnorth on Mar 18, 2024 15:47:25 GMT
Anything at your end Matt?  |
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Post by WildlifePaul on Apr 4, 2024 13:28:47 GMT
Matt, Where are you?! We miss you get back and give us the updates!   |
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Post by karenupnorth on Apr 5, 2024 7:01:14 GMT
Yeah I echo that!  |
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Post by suep on Apr 11, 2024 15:58:55 GMT
Have you deserted us Matt? We are missing your posts and inputs.
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Post by matt on Apr 22, 2024 14:05:21 GMT
Hi all! So sorry, I have been crazy busy and just haven't had the time to log in here as I used to - now commuting up from W sussex to London which is killing me but also means I can't sit on the forum all day on my PC when I am at work.. lol.
News from here is that I do have a nesting bluetit in the same as last year but nothing happening in the others. I think it must be the same bird as last year as almost no "soft furnishings" and, because I haven't been watching as closely this year, I didn't notice that she had laid for a few days! (she is hiding them extremely well in the day and I don't have a good count yet).
I will update with pics when I get a chance!
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Post by matt on Apr 22, 2024 14:06:16 GMT
And btw, for those wondering - she emptied every last bit of moss from last year's nest before starting the new one..
Will go and catch up on other people's boxes when I get a chance but hope you are all having a good season so far!
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Post by karenupnorth on Apr 22, 2024 16:47:21 GMT
Brilliant news on your blue tit, good to hear from you too. Look forward on your pics and updates.
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Post by suep on Apr 23, 2024 7:59:13 GMT
Thanks for the updates Matt, we were missing you.
Sue
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Post by matt on Apr 25, 2024 14:05:43 GMT
10 eggs! As I mentioned above, I've been away working etc so much, and the eggs have been so well covered that I didn't even fully realise she was laying until she was mostly done. Today was the best view I got of them and there are 10 (I thought it was 9 before):  |
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Post by suep on Apr 25, 2024 14:10:42 GMT
So pleased, great picture.
Sue
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Post by WildlifePaul on Apr 25, 2024 21:15:51 GMT
The wanderer returns Nice to have you back Matt |
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Post by sammi on Apr 26, 2024 8:34:33 GMT
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Post by karenupnorth on Apr 26, 2024 13:20:09 GMT
 x9 
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benn
Senior Member
Posts: 140
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Post by benn on Apr 26, 2024 14:01:49 GMT
Brilliant looking nest Matt and so many eggs!
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Post by pete11 on Apr 26, 2024 18:37:43 GMT
Great news on the eggs Matt.
I can't really see mine this year as it's a different camera angle.
10's a great number 👍
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Post by matt on May 1, 2024 12:55:20 GMT
So hoping to order some mini mealworms as I have for last couple of seasons but I see that live foods direct is completely out of stock.. can anyone recommend any other mail order supplier please? I am not sure when they are due to hatch because I have been so slack observing - could be any day now although probably more like abnother week I would guess. I would like to be prepared!
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benn
Senior Member
Posts: 140
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Post by benn on May 1, 2024 13:29:48 GMT
not sure how small you want Matt but last year I bought 6 x 40g tubs from Vine House Farm Wild Bird Food for £15.50 delivered.
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