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Post by suep on Mar 25, 2019 9:29:34 GMT
Yay Matt, let’s hope it’s the start for you. In fact I hope everyone soon gets a nest Sue
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Post by matt on Mar 25, 2019 11:11:08 GMT
Clip of this morning's visit. Focus has drifted a little close I think, will sort that tonight:
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Post by WildlifePaul on Mar 25, 2019 11:33:27 GMT
Its interesting that she didn't enter the box Matt, I only say this before our male as been checking out the side box in the front since he found out another pair was interested. And every morning he comes in and "Tatty" from the purple box follows him only to the entrance she never goes inside (Only goes into the box she is building in) I wonder if this could be the case for you? As you'd think she would atleast jump in and visit if she didn't have another place in mind. Just what is happening at my place at the moment found it interesting she didn't come inside to see as we are getting on in the season now only a week away from April etc. Unless its a new female and he is being a player and showing her around, These birds don't half confuse you! Fingers crossed for you though, Hopefully she comes inside and shows some interest. Keep us posted!
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Post by matt on Mar 25, 2019 11:42:39 GMT
Yeah - time will tell Paul, and sooner rather than later I guess. The last time a female was tempted inside a box was over a month ago - she has been in two of the three, but never the house box. Fingers crossed..
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Post by WildlifePaul on Mar 25, 2019 11:49:55 GMT
What are the tree's like by yours? Any green leaves beginning to show? Could just be a case of the female waiting I mean Tatty brought a piece of moss in for me, Waited over a week then loads of material then nothing again since still plenty of visits and nest wriggles just no fresh material. So she is clearly in no rush yet, Then you have people like Natalie with an egg already. I have noticed Tatty hanging on the tree branches alot though pecking at the leaves checking everything out.
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Post by matt on Mar 25, 2019 11:52:49 GMT
Well the hawthorns are in leaf, as are crab apples and a few others, but the oaks - upon which our birds relied last year - are not quite, nor are birch or beech which we also have nearby. As you know, it didn't happen here until 8th April last year, which I think was just over a week after you. Having said that, the bluetits I have seen over the last week have seemed very busy - just not in my garden!
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Post by WildlifePaul on Mar 25, 2019 11:55:47 GMT
She could just be waiting then Matt, Time will tell I guess, Hopefully this week is the week for you. Even if its a small piece of material to claim the box or something.
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Post by matt on Mar 26, 2019 8:44:04 GMT
5 x visits to a different box this morning, spread out over about two hours - all inside the box but seemingly male only with lots of pecking about. What's going on there I wonder? Also another quick visit to the third box, but he didn't hang about long in there. Still keeping us on our toes!
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Post by karenupnorth on Mar 26, 2019 8:56:26 GMT
I wish I knew Matt, my male did the same also, I wonder if they are like security checks, as your boxes are in is territory and so are his so to speak, making sure no other bird starts building in them. Males often have more than one female on the go, so I hope our boxes get used.
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Post by matt on Mar 26, 2019 11:50:54 GMT
Video montage of 5 visits to the shed box this morning. First two segments are very close together - could this be male followed by female and a (very) half-hearted nest wriggle there? Then 3x more visits over an hour later, guessing male again. Seems like a little more interest than other visits recently..
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Post by karenupnorth on Mar 26, 2019 12:21:09 GMT
Had a good look at your video Matt and I think the first two visitors are the same bird going by the markings, the third one is a different BT, then the final two I think are the same BT it has two distinct marks on its eye lines. Males appear much more vibrant than the females especially under the led lights. Looks very promising!!
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Post by matt on Mar 26, 2019 12:26:01 GMT
I think you are right Karen, and I actually think the first two visits are the female - the head is slightly "rounder", if you know what I mean, and the feathers are less defined on the head/stick up less and, like you say, less bright. The bird in the later segments I am 99% sure is the same male that has been doing the rounds, and occasionally tempts a female in. Strange then that the female would visit on her own, or perhaps the male was outside? Or perhaps it was a different male altogether? Would you class the slight movement in the second segment as a wriggle? There is definitely a bum waggle when you view it in slow motion, no wing spread though.. Clutching at straws I know!!
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Post by karenupnorth on Mar 26, 2019 12:41:59 GMT
Yes I agree, I have just been looking back on your previous vids and photos and the male doing the last two visits has been visiting your boxes since the beginning and the female in the video dated 24 feb is the same one in the first two clips this morning, she has a small blur to her left eye line and a black mark right of her beak. So I think those two are together. Definitely nest wriggles too! The male is easy to spot with his two black marks on both eye lines.
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Post by matt on Mar 26, 2019 12:59:41 GMT
Great detective work Karen, thanks! You are way better at picking out these identifying features than me, but as soon as you said you thought the first two visits were from the same bird I knew you were right, and that it wasn't the usual male. Fingers still crossed then, hope still burning
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Post by karenupnorth on Mar 26, 2019 13:02:37 GMT
I think things look very positive Matt!! I'm away to work in a few minutes where I will hopefully see my pair who are building their nest in the box I put up.
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Post by YorksherLass on Mar 26, 2019 16:06:22 GMT
I think you're both so clever (as others are on this forum) at being able to recognise your birds! Anyway, even though I can't, I still enjoy watching all your clips, so Good luck Karen for when you get back to work & what you're hoping for.
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Post by sammi on Mar 26, 2019 21:54:37 GMT
Hope things progress further Matt. It is looking promising. I keep trying to identify the birds in my nests but I'm not very good at it
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Post by matt on Mar 27, 2019 8:33:02 GMT
Morning visit to the house box - also a very quick visit to the shed box again. What do you think Karen, same birds as yesterday?
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Post by karenupnorth on Mar 27, 2019 9:03:54 GMT
Yes Matt same pair as yesterday for sure. Hopefully they will make a decision soon and it will be one of your boxes.
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Post by matt on Mar 27, 2019 9:08:32 GMT
Thanks Karen, me too! Any more news on yours? How are the work birds going?
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Post by karenupnorth on Mar 27, 2019 9:31:44 GMT
The work birds are going great guns, they started building last Monday(18th) and she is still bringing moss in like a bird possessed, I have updated the thread in the general discussion. As for the pair here still no nest building that I have noticed, still visiting next doors box and taking a peek at mine every so often.
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Post by matt on Mar 27, 2019 10:03:40 GMT
As for the pair here still no nest building that I have noticed, still visiting next doors box and taking a peek at mine every so often. I am a little worried that this is what is happening with mine, although I haven't been able to see where they go.
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Post by YorksherLass on Mar 27, 2019 10:07:04 GMT
Another great clip Matt Pleased everything is going OK for you too Karen with your "Work box" - I saw that in the other place early this morning.
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Post by karenupnorth on Mar 27, 2019 10:33:33 GMT
As for the pair here still no nest building that I have noticed, still visiting next doors box and taking a peek at mine every so often. I am a little worried that this is what is happening with mine, although I haven't been able to see where they go. Oh I hope not Matt, it is so disheartening.
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Post by karenupnorth on Mar 27, 2019 13:53:08 GMT
Any more visits Matt?
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