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Post by karenupnorth on Feb 12, 2023 7:40:37 GMT
I suspect things will definitely pick up in the coming weeks with the milder weather and lighter days. What sort of a set up do you have regarding box camera etc?
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Post by johnb2023 on Feb 11, 2023 18:08:12 GMT
Hi John. I look forward to seeing what happens with your new box. Where ae you located? Good luck for the coming season. Hi Karen, I am in Derbyshire. Thank you, I will be documenting on YT should anything happen. No more activity yet but perhaps there will be more with the decent weather and temp from tomorrow. |
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Post by suep on Feb 10, 2023 20:21:03 GMT
Yes John, visiting is still taking place. Just a brief visit most days - sometimes just the one bird and sometimes the pair arrive. Its as though they are just keeping their eye on the box and keeping their options open. Who knows with these little birds.
Sue
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Post by karenupnorth on Feb 10, 2023 12:31:08 GMT
Hi John. I look forward to seeing what happens with your new box. Where ae you located? Good luck for the coming season.
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SueP 2023
Feb 8, 2023 21:19:27 GMT
via mobile
Post by johnb2023 on Feb 8, 2023 21:19:27 GMT
Had any more prospecting Sue?
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Post by johnb2023 on Feb 8, 2023 7:18:48 GMT
A pair makes better sense of course. I had thought with it still being early it might be competing males.
Thanks again Sue and hopefully more to share soon.
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Post by suep on Feb 7, 2023 16:20:28 GMT
Hi John, so pleased you’ve an early visit. When you have two checking out the box it is usually a male and female pair. Most often the male does the seeking for a new box and then brings the female to approve or otherwise of his choice (a bit like the human world actually ha ha). You will find that if he manages to get the female to enter, he is often then chased out whilst she does her own inspection . Once the decision for a box has been made it will be (in most cases) the female alone that builds the nest and the male only comes into his own when she requires him for the fertilising of her eggs. I can never tell the male and female apart except for their behaviour once in the box. This is a great start for you so everything crossed  Sue |
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Post by johnb2023 on Feb 7, 2023 13:18:15 GMT
Hello John (assuming that), welcome to the forum. Not an expert by any means but in response to your post - birds vary in their approach to new boxes, we have seen and heard that people have visits straight away and other may wait a long time for a visit. The fact that your neighbour has plenty of activity is a good sign and I am sure your box will be spotted soon. Visits in the winter are usually for roasting purposes or for checking out in readiness for the perfect box to nest in come the Spring. It is often about now that birds are looking and if they find the box that is right for them, usually nest building begins early in March (however some don’t start until into April or later), it depends on the state of trees and the foliage beginning to provide caterpillars suitable for the young chicks.. Patience is the key. Be patient, keep watching and hopefully you will be rewarded with some visits at least and hopefully more!!! Be aware these nest watching boxes are very addictive and very time consuming. You will get hooked. The forum is quiet at the moment but probably a month from now there will be plenty of people to converse with and get information from. Good luck. Sue Thank you Sue. Literally 10 minutes after posting I had a couple peering in! So exciting and yes, addictive indeed. Two males, I assume, at the same time, one checking outside (quite interested in the way I have concealed wires with tape) and then both looking inside cautiously a few times. I believe males are a bit fatter - do they actually enter at all or is it just females come nesting time? |
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Post by suep on Feb 7, 2023 12:54:10 GMT
Hello John (assuming that), welcome to the forum. Not an expert by any means but in response to your post - birds vary in their approach to new boxes, we have seen and heard that people have visits straight away and other may wait a long time for a visit. The fact that your neighbour has plenty of activity is a good sign and I am sure your box will be spotted soon. Visits in the winter are usually for roasting purposes or for checking out in readiness for the perfect box to nest in come the Spring. It is often about now that birds are looking and if they find the box that is right for them, usually nest building begins early in March (however some don’t start until into April or later), it depends on the state of trees and the foliage beginning to provide caterpillars suitable for the young chicks..
Patience is the key. Be patient, keep watching and hopefully you will be rewarded with some visits at least and hopefully more!!! Be aware these nest watching boxes are very addictive and very time consuming. You will get hooked.
The forum is quiet at the moment but probably a month from now there will be plenty of people to converse with and get information from. Good luck.
Sue
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Post by johnb2023 on Feb 7, 2023 11:03:15 GMT
Hello, newbie here in all senses.
I'm a bit of a geek and put up a nest box with camera at the weekend in a garden which has never had a box at all (been here 15 years). There is also a feeder about 20 feet away. Next door's garden is a bird haven with a couple of small old boxes and feeders that I can see and lots of bird activity. Our garden is pretty bare and basic - grassy and open with some conifers and bushes/hedges surrounding. I have seen some coal and blue tits in an apple tree on the drive however, with direct line of sight to my box, but they are more interested in said neighbours roof above this tree which has a cavity.
My box is facing NE, about 6 foot up on the side of a shed which has had no use since end of summer (and we are not going in the garden at all atm while we are watching).
I have read here and elsewhere of tit visits going back as early as January. Someone even said they had visits less than 24 hours after putting up a new box! Is that the norm? I have not even had a head pop in for a sneaky look yet. Is my garden currently just a blind spot to the birds? Is it a matter of time given nearby activity or might it take a couple of seasons?
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Post by WildlifePaul on Feb 7, 2023 9:23:32 GMT
Alot of cleaning happening this morning in my Log box
Its had a rooster all autumn / winter but today alot of comings and goings removing the poo spring cleaning in full swing!
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Post by springtime 66 on Feb 1, 2023 11:30:20 GMT
Well there has been visits to all the boxes by single male blue tit, one log box has had a pr visit fairly often.
I noticed a pr blue tits go into my camera box this morning which took me by surprise, so happy to see it I went to turn on the camera for the first time not sure if the great tit has still been making visits.
This period of waiting and wondering what’s to be is a testing time of patience waiting for the season to start
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Post by mixyblob on Jan 24, 2023 18:57:28 GMT
I've only just rejoined this forum after a 3 year hiatus and I'm looking at the list of threads and more importantly the dates of those threads. I don't hold up much hope of any replies to my query but here goes.
I've just set up a nestbox with a wired IP camera using a translucent roof to provide lighting during the day and IR leds for night. I'm viewing the camera through the Xmeye app on my Android phone and the picture is excellent.
My problem is, I can't get the motion detection and recording feature to work. The app doesn't seem to ask where such videos/ pictures are stored. I've set up a detection zone etc and adjusted all the right settings (I think).
Is motion detection even possible with Xmeye and if so how do I set it up?
Regards
Jim
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Post by karenupnorth on Jan 20, 2023 8:03:59 GMT
Hi Matt. Great news on the double visits! I would agree with springtime66 in cleaning the box if you can, but I know the nest box I put up at work I didnt get round to cleaning one year and it went on to be used successfully so it doesnt put them off I dont think. Hope you have a good season  |
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Post by springtime 66 on Jan 18, 2023 13:40:19 GMT
Hi Matt
happy new year
I’m no expert, I know they can remove old nests themselves
I’d say try and clean due to any parasites lingering so it doesn’t pass on to new chicks
You are probably aware of this but it was good to see a post on here to read 😊
blue tits busy checking out the boxes even in these cold days 🙂
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Post by matt on Jan 18, 2023 10:19:00 GMT
Hi all and happy new year!
My boxes are unchanged since last year - in fact I plan to remove a couple I think, so I'll "just" have 1 x bluetit, 1 x starling and 1 x robin (last two rather optimistic but soo close last year!).
A quick question: I didn't get around to clearing out the tit box from last year, so there is still a nest in there. It is in an awkward position, and not easy to empty (concrete box, access through top only). I'm getting regular double visits already now to this box. Just leave it or try and clean it out, what do we think?
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Post by springtime 66 on Jan 16, 2023 10:28:09 GMT
Good morning
I was lucky to see a bird go into my camera box, to my complete surprise it was a great tit
This box over the last 4 years had plenty of visits but never taken up,I’m staying calm so early still.
It’s an improvement it’s been worth taking the plate off to see this happen this morning 😊
Having a great tit using a nest box is rare here in my garden anyway
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Post by suep on Jan 8, 2023 12:02:23 GMT
How lovely Ann, it is a great feeling when they trust you. I am sure with patience you can get your robins to do the same. My son got a robin so tame that every time they opened the kitchen door it flew in. Then they were worried that it would get trapped or trodden on so had to keep door shut. Lol.
Sue
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Post by springtime 66 on Jan 3, 2023 19:57:59 GMT
Well I have finally managed to experience a Robin feeding out of my hand twice
Down at our wetland and meadows the robins are often seen in the hedgerows and get feed
I am now going to see if my pair of robins in my garden will be as confident
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Post by suep on Jan 3, 2023 19:32:10 GMT
Ditto, happy new year and good luck to everyone this coming season - hope it’s a good one for all  |
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Post by suep on Jan 3, 2023 19:30:25 GMT
 That’s brilliant Sammi, might be the answer
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Post by matt on Jan 3, 2023 9:49:51 GMT
Happy new year everyone! Fingers crossed for a successful season. Must get the last of my boxes cleaned out, cobwebs removed from in front of cameras etc!!
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Post by sammi on Jan 1, 2023 15:08:27 GMT
 Happy New Year to you too. Here's wishing everyone at least one nest this year 
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SueP 2023
Jan 1, 2023 15:05:08 GMT
via mobile
Post by sammi on Jan 1, 2023 15:05:08 GMT
Hi Sue, I'll see if I can find a nice pattern for a camouflage onesie for hubby so he can sit out if you get nesters
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Post by springtime 66 on Dec 31, 2022 20:12:33 GMT
Happy new year to all my friends on here🎉🎊🥂🍾
Hope you make lovely memories
Success in the nesting season not to long now. 😊
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That’s brilliant Sammi, might be the answer 
Happy New Year to you too. Here's wishing everyone at least one nest this year 