benn
Senior Member
Posts: 142
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Post by benn on Apr 24, 2024 9:07:25 GMT
Hi All
Hope everyone is well. We spent 3 months over wintering in Goa so late logging on.
After a blank last year we have a pair of Blue Tits who started to build yesterday. I am glad they have left it so late as its still bloody freezing up here on the hills oop North!
I guess the bright sunshine set them off. Everything plant and tree wise seems to be 4 weeks behind this year with day time temps struggling to reach double figures here.
We did have some interest from two Coal tits for one day last week in our Great Tit box and I got quite excited but alas they have not been around since.
But we are happy to have something to watch this season.
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Post by karenupnorth on Apr 24, 2024 11:44:41 GMT
Good luck with your BTs, I also had a blank year last year so I know how you feel its lovely to watch them raise a family again. Where up North are you? Im near York and your right it is ridiculously cold especially at night!
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benn
Senior Member
Posts: 142
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Post by benn on Apr 24, 2024 12:21:12 GMT
Hi Karen We are in Rossendale on the moors just south of Burnley in Lancashire.
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benn
Senior Member
Posts: 142
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Post by benn on Apr 24, 2024 13:35:19 GMT
I forgot to add that we have a House Sparrow nesting in one of our Swift boxes. I usually block the entrances until mid May to deter them from taking them over but there are a couple of the 6 boxes that necessitate the use of ladders to do this, the others I can reach through our bedroom windows. I had a full right knee replacement in October so could not manage it this time around so we have these squatters!  The quality is not that great as I only fitted black and white cameras that are focused to the rear artificial nest cup and the Swifts prefer darkness so no camera illumination. This House Sparrow pair have decided to build their cup near the entrance so at least we will hopefully see some youngsters amongst the piles of straw and grass they use for building. |
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Post by suep on Apr 24, 2024 14:37:42 GMT
Great to see building starting with your blue tits Ben 👍🏻. You are right about the sparrows - the only time I had them in a nest box they totally obliterated my view of anything with all the nesting material they use until the chicks were well on their way to fledging and had trampled said straw down a bit. Good to have you back.
Sue
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Post by suep on Apr 25, 2024 10:33:45 GMT
Really pleased that it’s visible for you.
Sue
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Post by sammi on Apr 25, 2024 12:41:41 GMT
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Post by WildlifePaul on Apr 25, 2024 21:12:56 GMT
Great stuff Ben!
Nice to have you back with us
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Post by pete11 on Apr 26, 2024 18:45:50 GMT
Great stuff! Looking forward to seeing more 👍👍
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benn
Senior Member
Posts: 142
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Post by benn on May 1, 2024 13:36:23 GMT
Just a quick update a week on. At last! Its cracking the flags up here on the Moors today with outside temps climbing above 21C in the shade!!!!  Blue Tit female is still building but she has stepped it up today and has continued into the afternoon. Our House Sparrow pair in the Swift box have at least 3 eggs and are now incubating. They both take turns. It is difficult to see the front of the cup as straw rides up in front on the camera. Videos below:  |
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Post by Amanda on May 2, 2024 5:31:53 GMT
Excellent news Benn |
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That's good news. They don't make viewing easy do they 
