steve
New Member
Posts: 25
|
Post by steve on Feb 16, 2019 10:09:56 GMT
Hi all, well I am in a bit of a predicament, I recently moved one of our camera equipped boxes after is showed very little sign of activity.
Almost as soon as I’d finished fixing the box, a Blue Tit went straight in. Great stuff! The activity progressed and we’ve had one roosting for about a week, although it’s not shown for the last two days. We are having regular day visitors to that box now too.
Now, typically the camera has developed a fault, the supplier has asked for it to be returned for repair or replacement in my own time, so no issue there.
Because of the activity, I didn’t want to leave it too long, so bought another camera, and my plan is, tonight providing there are no roosters, I will take the box down, swap the cameras out without fuss, and replace the box asap under darkness.
Is this a plan, and might I get away with it?
When the camera is fixed or replaced, I’ll quickly put out another box in another location.
Any help or opinions appreciated.
Thanks.
Steve
|
|
|
|
Post by sammi on Feb 16, 2019 10:35:32 GMT
 Hi Steve Welcome aboard. Well it sounds like a plan to me. With my boxes the quiet time seems to be the afternoon and I'm sure if you get it done swiftly they'll be none the wiser. I opened up one of my boxes to clean out the masses of poo on the bottom just to give any prospective nesters a chance. I was a little apprehensive as I've never done this in previous seasons. The overnight rooster bluetit male hardly batted an eyelid when he came to bed as usual that evening. Best of luck with the camera switch but I'm sure you won't need it.
|
|
|
|
Post by matt on Feb 16, 2019 12:01:57 GMT
I think you should be fine Steve, as long as there is no rooster in there! Can you tell this before doing the swap? I actually swapped cameras over on two of my boxes under cover of darkness last night, and visits this morning again as if nothing had happened.
|
|
|
|
Post by WildlifePaul on Feb 16, 2019 12:02:53 GMT
Yes steve,
That will be fine to do during the night, Probably the best time to do it if no rooster.
|
|
steve
New Member
Posts: 25
|
Post by steve on Feb 16, 2019 19:58:37 GMT
Hi all, Thank you very much for the replies. This situation is very strange, the camera daytime resolution, colours and clarity are fine but, when darkness falls instead of seeing something like a clear black and white image, or film as you'd expect, there is just a blurred fuzzy image. I am pretty sure at least some of the IR illumination is working, as the centre of the image looks lit. As I mentioned the supplier was fine telling me I had a lot of the three year warranty left, and could return it any time I pleased, in case of disturbing any residents. So I thought I'd buy another camera, and swap them quickly, and when the original is sorted, I'll set up another camera box. Well this is the strange part, the new camera came yesterday, I've set it up and it works fine. So the plan was to do the deed tonight. I have just logged into the camera to check if anybody's home, and low and behold, the camera is now working perfectly, and very clear?  It's been a strange sequence of events to say the least! Anyway, I am going to carry out the camera swap, or at least investigate to try and solve the mystery. I'll report back any findings. Once again, many thanks all. Steve  |
|
|
|
Post by matt on Feb 16, 2019 21:46:01 GMT
I'd still swap them Steve. This sounds like an intermittent fault that will probably get worse and fail just when you need it most (and can't change it any more!).
|
|
|
|
Post by WildlifePaul on Feb 17, 2019 11:43:14 GMT
Yes I agree with Matt,
I would still swap the cameras incase the fault starts again.
|
|
|
|
Post by suep on Feb 17, 2019 13:31:56 GMT
Good luck Steve, don’t want failures once nesting begins so I think I would do the swap  Sue |
|
steve
New Member
Posts: 25
|
Post by steve on Feb 17, 2019 23:54:20 GMT
Last night the box was empty, so I did the swap over, and it all went fine. It was a bit tricky with this box, as it’s in a tree fairly high up on the edge of my property. I took the whole box down and put it on the bench to have a look. The IR sensor seemed clean enough, and the only thing I noticed was the lens lock ring was loose, and the lens fairly loose too. So possibly it moved out of focus when I relocated it? I don’t remember adjusting the lens though, and it seemed very clear during the day?
Everything seems fine now after the swap, and we had a visitor throughout today.
I’ll speak to the supplier tomorrow to work out my options.
Thanks again
Steve
|
|
|
|
Post by blueeyedchick on Feb 18, 2019 17:18:31 GMT
Welcome Steve to our crazy gang just spotted your post. Hope all is in order now as Sue says don't want it going pear shaped when the time comes. I've lost the sound in one of my boxes but cannot get to it as roof slippery so daren't go on it  |
|
steve
New Member
Posts: 25
|
Post by steve on Feb 18, 2019 19:44:59 GMT
Hi blueeyedchick, and thanks. I agree, don’t go climbing on the slippery roof, let’s be careful out there. Steve  |
|
|
|
Post by elle on Feb 20, 2019 12:43:04 GMT
 Steve As others have already said, this is a very friendly forum and there are a lot of supportive people who you can guarantee will be there for you when you need advice. Im glad your camera change went well, I had no doubt, I think if they have made their mind up to use the box, little disruptions don’t matter! I’ve actually done a camera change with a full nest in there  (Not ideal I know) good of luck for the upcoming season icon_biggrin Elle xx
|
|
steve
New Member
Posts: 25
|
Post by steve on Feb 20, 2019 19:38:34 GMT
Hi Elle, Thank you for the warm welcome. I’m pleased to be a part of such nice community. Kind regards Steve |
|
steve
New Member
Posts: 25
|
Post by steve on Mar 8, 2019 15:15:55 GMT
Originally our guest a blue tit, was roosting in the box at night, using the toilet, and parting early morning. Then around mid morning a blue tit, not sure if it was the sleeper? would go into the box, and do toilet cleaning duty. Then after a few more nights, this bird didn’t come home to roost so to speak. Anyway, another visitor, again not sure if it’s the same one? started inspecting the box, and pecking the windows, and then we had a rooster again, same bird? It’s still making itself at home in the box but, has much worse hygene than before. The toilet duties need doing to put it politely. This guest, just sleeps and dumps, no cleaning up  So, I’ll watch and wait. The other box is now up in a different part of the garden, I’ve put a bigger entrance hole in this one, in the hope if attracting possibly a great tit or house sparrow etc. So far no guests, but something left a deposit on the roof I noticed  Hoping for nests though, and good luck to everybody with their nest boxes. We have serious action on the feeders, over 15 blue tits in one sitting is getting common, sparrows, robins, great tits, thrush, woodpecker, blackbirds and starlings are all regular visitors. Steve |
|
|
|
Post by WildlifePaul on Mar 8, 2019 16:12:56 GMT
With over 15 blue tits on your feeders Steve, I'll be very shocked if you didn't end up with a nest.
Good luck with your boxes.
|
|
steve
New Member
Posts: 25
|
Post by steve on Mar 10, 2019 13:12:50 GMT
Thanks Paul, Yes, we get all sorts of birds and wildlife visiting. We are lucky to be living next to open farm land, and so we’re never far from all kinds of creatures.
Fingers crossed anyway, and I hope your boxes are home to lots of families in the future too.
Steve
|
|
Hi Steve
Steve
(Not ideal I know) 
