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Post by elle on Apr 19, 2019 13:32:31 GMT
Well after all the guessing and roosting for 10 days (this is a first for me, normally only roost after laying starts), Poppy has finally given me an Easter Egg at 9.30 this morning she left the nestcup partially uncovered and there it was!! I don’t know if it was laid last night or this morning! (I have had BTs lay on an evening before!) looking back to last year, I think she may be a couple of days out!, I had 10 eggs laid & she started incubating 1st May. Anyway, at least we are up and running, now for the wait I did have a bit of anxiety yesterday however, she was away from nest from 8.15am until last night for bed 7.15, she’s only come in this early twice since roosting, usually 8. 35pm. It has been a strange one this year though, what with Paul’s Tatty doing the same thing! Would like to know what has caused this behaviour We we know where we are at now Ann Elle xx
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Post by suep on Apr 19, 2019 14:40:01 GMT
So pleased the laying has started Elle. I think it’s all down to the early mini heatwave and then back to cold etc. Poor birds are as confused as the plants. I pity those birds now incubating in this heat, what abyear. Now relax and look forward to a good clutch. I, on the other hand, will go on wondering and waiting Sue
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Post by WildlifePaul on Apr 19, 2019 14:42:01 GMT
Brilliant news Elle, It appears this year they're having long breaks between nest complete to laying. Never happened to me before this year.
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Post by blueeyedchick on Apr 20, 2019 8:00:30 GMT
As Paul says great news Elle hope there is many more to come Interesting comment about egg being left. Last year that happened here Lily out all day but this time Flo staying close by and checking every hour or so.
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Post by Beechnut on Apr 20, 2019 8:18:23 GMT
Good News finally Elle, and hopefully several more to follow!! - Good Luck.
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Post by hfriel on Apr 20, 2019 8:27:16 GMT
Brilliant news Elle yahoo_clap
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Post by YorksherLass on Apr 20, 2019 9:16:10 GMT
I had to spend 4 hours early yesterday morning watering the garden, as no rain for yonks, but did see my GT's going in the nestbox a few times. Did more gardening in the shade, no sight of blackbirds again & hubby couldn't even find the nest in the thick ivy, so will have to wait until August to find it after trimming.
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Post by sammi on Apr 20, 2019 16:11:50 GMT
Great news Elle.
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Post by elle on Apr 22, 2019 18:19:51 GMT
Well I had a bit of a nightmare yesterday, I was in process of cleaning my hamster out,(all creatures great & small eh!!) put him in his playpen, when all of a sudden from the kitchen tv I heard such a racket !! Goes running in to see what was occurring in the nestbox and low and behold a Bumble Bee had got in there and Poppy had come back to bring more feathers. Poppy was flapping around and squawking so hard, I honestly thought she was either going to break her wings or have a heart attack, eventually Poppy managed to escape, the bee stayed for another 5 mins, but then found the hole to get out. My fear then was, is Poppy coming back??, but she must have been watching, cos soon as the bee flew out she flew back in and spent another 10mins inspecting her eggs and every inch of the box (phew!!), but then goes back to my hamster, Gone!!!!! Heart was in my mouth, he’d escaped his playpen, the little bugger!!! luckily enough I just caught sight out of the corner of my eye as he was about to disappear under my settee . Anyway Poppy is leaving her eggs uncovered for some reason, so here’s a nice piccie Elle xx
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Post by Ann70 on Apr 22, 2019 18:35:57 GMT
elle lovely picture of the eggs, how exciting for you. gosh, that was a mad moment for you, glad all turned out well in the end.
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Post by WildlifePaul on Apr 22, 2019 19:10:08 GMT
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Post by Beechnut on Apr 22, 2019 19:12:26 GMT
Phew! You can do without all that Elle I'll be bound - hope everything has settled down to normal? now. Hope Poppy has a few more surprises(of the oval kind) for you.
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Post by elle on Apr 22, 2019 19:13:51 GMT
I know Paul, it’s quite a contrast from last year when I didn’t see them at all, I don’t know whether positioning the camara slightly higher has done any difference, I think it has slightly Elle xx
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Post by suep on Apr 22, 2019 21:18:04 GMT
Wow Elle what a drama - glad all turned out ok . Lovely to be able to see Poppy’s eggs. Looking good. Sue
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Post by sammi on Apr 24, 2019 17:26:52 GMT
Glad the ordeal is over. The photo is beautiful. The feather topping looks really luxurious.
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Post by elle on Apr 25, 2019 20:54:26 GMT
Poppy has started incubating today, thought it was yesterday cos she spent a lot of time in, but it’s defo today! There should be 7 eggs in the nest, however I can only see 6, whether she is hiding them well. Zorro turned up to give her a nice little morsel, so hopefully he’ll keep up the good work. Elle xx
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Post by suep on Apr 25, 2019 23:29:19 GMT
Aw bless she looks so cozy. Lovely news Elle. Sue
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Post by YorksherLass on Apr 27, 2019 15:08:44 GMT
Well done Poppy, now your boring part starts but it will be worth it - and of course Zorro will keep you nice & fed.
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Post by sammi on Apr 27, 2019 15:19:31 GMT
Great news Elle. Such a cosy nest.
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Post by Beechnut on Apr 27, 2019 15:30:31 GMT
Great News Elle and a good view of the cup to watch the progress over the next month or so. ABW
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Post by WildlifePaul on Apr 28, 2019 11:08:32 GMT
How am I only just seeing these pictures? Brilliant stuff, Nest is nice and cosy!
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Post by elle on Apr 28, 2019 15:32:25 GMT
Update - Definitely saw 7 eggs this morning, this is the smallest clutch I’ve had for a few years, usually, 8, 9, last year 10, certainly has been a strange year. My brother has no nest, although the female is still roosting in the box, why hasn’t she got a nest I ask myself?, maybe she knows what’s good for her, and decided to live the single life! !!! He has said he hasn’t seen any pairs at all, and only the very occasional single Bt.! Very interesting And very very quiet all round.
Elle xx
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Post by sammi on Apr 29, 2019 12:15:08 GMT
Hi Elle, I've been digging up old pics and posts and I think my largest clutch on record was 9 in 2010 but recently not so many.
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Post by Amanda on Apr 29, 2019 16:00:31 GMT
Beautiful pictures of Poppy, she looks so snug!
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Post by elle on Apr 29, 2019 21:58:43 GMT
This is strange Sammi, egg numbers going down What I want to know is, Where do all our chicks go, because I would have thought they would stay local, but I think it’s pretty obvious that this doesn’t happen! Elle xx
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