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Post by WildlifePaul on Feb 11, 2019 18:40:26 GMT
I was wondering if it would be because on the house wall the boxes are fully exposed so they prefer them higher up if possible? I mean I have loads of boxes in our local woods I have put up that are no higher than 5 foot from the ground but they are all on trees and hidden. So maybe the key to success with lower placed boxes is have them not to exposed? I really don't know very hard to guess. P.s sue, I think your box will be fine. They don't have a choice of an higher box like Kathys.
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Post by blueeyedchick on Feb 11, 2019 20:21:07 GMT
Oh Sue I hope that is not the case at yours. Like you my lower box is on our extension which is lower than I would like but it has to go under the eaves of our extension and obviously close to power points as hubby had to get power to it. You never know they might just decide a bit nearer to the time to take it up, I really hope so.
Paul a senior member? does this mean I talk to much or because I'm old????
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Post by YorksherLass on Feb 12, 2019 12:30:45 GMT
If it's any consolation to you Sue, our only nestbox is approximately 8 or 9 feet above our patio & we have had both BT & GT's nesting in it every year since 2008.
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Post by sammi on Feb 12, 2019 15:42:15 GMT
Just to add my box sittings on this thread too. We have a bungalow and so the box is 6-7 ft off the ground and in the past has always done well. The fence box is about the same. So don't despair Sue
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Post by suep on Feb 12, 2019 16:44:38 GMT
Thanks you for all the positive messages. Can’t do anything about the height and I have had a nest in that position before I had a camera and I also had the sparrows nest in it so there is always hope. Just wish could position it further from our window BUT only place allowed because of the wires showing ( I love him really , ). Great to know others have lower nests though, thank you. Kathy, would love for you to have a hat trick of nests. I’m not a bit jealous . Lol. Sue
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Post by blueeyedchick on Feb 17, 2019 18:21:14 GMT
Something will happen for you Sue even if it's down the garden! I think they just prefer higher positions generally so they feel more protected stands to reason I suppose.
Higher wall box continues to be busy with visits on a daily basis with both of them coming in together. However, I have never had so much nest hole tapping from the female. She sits on the hole and I look through the window at her as she taps away at the sides as if she is trying to make the hole bigger. She then cranes her neck outside to tap the metal. It's really unusual to see her do this. I've tried to get footage but the closer I get to the window she sees me and pops back in.
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Post by blueeyedchick on Feb 18, 2019 13:59:19 GMT
More dried grass coming into this box this morning & Starlings kicking off round their box too -ummmmm? confused!!!!!!
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Post by WildlifePaul on Feb 18, 2019 14:29:09 GMT
Sounds like they are eager to get going on your garden Kathy! Think the blue tit nest is a giving now unless something happened to the female of course. Hoping with all the starling activity it leads to a starling nest for you!
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Post by suep on Feb 20, 2019 16:23:34 GMT
The sun shines on the righteous they say, and that must be the case in your garden Kathy cause your birds obviously think it’s spring already. They certainly do seem eager to get under way. Think it will be a race between you and Paul this year for first nest proper. Going to be quite a year by the sound of it. Sue
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Post by blueeyedchick on Feb 20, 2019 17:24:50 GMT
Righteous you say, Oh if only that was true Sue. I must say though that Flo & Andy, yes I've named them already, are in and out the box most of today again. In fact I've given up entering daily visits in my diary! I'm happy if I get one but two would be nice. Hoping against hope for Spike. He's been in 7 times today but no more gifts that I can see yet it's a waiting game we are all playing.
Anything happening your way, perhaps the weekend may show some improvement if not.
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Post by suep on Feb 21, 2019 10:02:18 GMT
No not much Kathy, had those couple of days of fantastic visits but not had a great deal since. Had the odd day where male and female both enter the box but not regularly, however they are about in the garden every day so keeping everything crossed. Sue
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Post by blueeyedchick on Feb 21, 2019 14:04:14 GMT
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Post by sammi on Feb 21, 2019 18:06:55 GMT
Lovely little video with expert commentary. Certainly maybe she has been watching woodpeckers in the area. My lady in the Aldi cam box who visited a while ago was at the entrance for a while. No idea if she was tapping though as I was inside
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Post by WildlifePaul on Feb 21, 2019 18:44:11 GMT
Oh Kathy haha! What a legend I can't believe this is the first time your female as acted this way, I get this every year off my females.
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Post by blueeyedchick on Feb 21, 2019 19:35:14 GMT
Sammi thanks for that. Flo leans out and then turns her head and starts pecking the hole plate. She leaves the box for about 30 mins then she's back and starts all over again it's been going on for a few days now. I did wonder if she was testing the wood for soundness but not really sure. Perhaps she was a Woodpecker in a previous life! Good that they are noticing your box that has to be a positive sign surely?
Paul, definitely a legend in my own lifetime. I was thinking of doing my piece in a scouse accent but thought I would need you beside me and I don't think I could' Beam you down Scottie'
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Post by WildlifePaul on Feb 21, 2019 22:04:02 GMT
You should of Kathy Always next time
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Post by karenupnorth on Feb 22, 2019 7:33:35 GMT
Ace little video, last year was my first ever nest and Chico spent weeks and weeks doing this inside and out also Boulder joined in too a little half heartedly. When I came to clean the box I found a huge amount of the little wood chippings in the bottom of the box and they had been scattered to all four corners when she shaped the cup, also there was a quite a delve in the bottom of the box from all her chipping, right in the area where the chicks sat on the nest.I wonder if they use the wood to insulate the box more?
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Post by blueeyedchick on Feb 22, 2019 9:36:42 GMT
Karen I've looked to see if there is any sawdust from her pecking and there is a small amount at the bottom of the nest hole. It's not easy to see though so I shall have to wait until end of season before I can look properly. She is doing it again as I write this! The male is nowhere to be seen but he must be around as he's been coaxing her to go in the box for the last week or so. With regard to using it as insulation jury is still out, but it could be a possibility I suppose
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Post by blueeyedchick on Feb 23, 2019 10:37:00 GMT
Just a little video of Flo this morning.
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Post by springtime 66 on Feb 23, 2019 11:09:10 GMT
hi kathy, hope that means we aren't going to have too bad a cold snap, good to see one being started already. that's really early
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Post by WildlifePaul on Feb 23, 2019 11:34:38 GMT
Brilliant Kathy, Deffo start of a nest, I think she will really go for it next month for you and have the nest build without days. Whenever I have had an early nester they start off slow, They know when the time is right to get going its still only February we need to remember.
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Post by sammi on Feb 23, 2019 17:59:36 GMT
Great news Kathy. Must be a very eager lady. I hope the weather doesn't take a nose dive. She can certainly take her time now and build a wonderful nest. Did you see the article re. tapping I found? My set up doesn't record any sound
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Post by blueeyedchick on Feb 24, 2019 7:53:51 GMT
Hi Ann, Paul & Sammi Well, as I say I think she's early but she has been itching to get going for the last few weeks truth be told. Paul is correct I think she will pace herself a little and as long as she doesn't lay eggs if we get a cold snap then she will be okay. My earliest nest March 16th. Funny thing is she has come back to sleep in her box but rooster No2 has left altogether. Yes, Sammi I did see your tapping article interesting and that too makes sense it's just a shame we can't ask them what they are really doing it for! My camera records sounds but it has to be fairly loud for the mic to pick it up. My cammie is a cheap one but I can film the monitor and talk at the same time. I shall see if there are any developments today on the nest front, it is a foggy morning so maybe not much activity?
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Post by suep on Feb 24, 2019 9:38:11 GMT
Kathy, absolutely loving the videos with commentary , you must continue this through the season. Fantastic that nest building has begun for some - just hope we don’t have any repeat of beast from the east. Beautiful weather here for time of year and still very little action for me . I am clinging to the hope that they will be back and are just enjoying their freedom for the moment before they settle down to the more serious stuff . Sue
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Post by blueeyedchick on Feb 24, 2019 11:15:52 GMT
Sue I will try my best with the commentary! I realize that just doing my holiday vids and this, that I appreciate how the pro's do it, it's not as easy as one thinks to talk on the hoof with no person to reciprocate.Glad you enjoyed it though Still a waiting game for you then , hopefully once we get into March things should pick up don't despair.
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