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Post by suep on Apr 15, 2020 8:38:26 GMT
Ooh Matt, would love it to lead to something for you. We non nesters have to cling to these tiny bits of hope . Sue
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Post by Amanda on Apr 15, 2020 8:42:37 GMT
Stunning Matt, so hope you get a nest The camera angle is perfect too
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Post by greatbluehopeful on Apr 15, 2020 9:11:23 GMT
Fab photo!!!! And re-newed hope? I hope this little one returns.
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Post by matt on Apr 15, 2020 9:17:31 GMT
Fab photo!!!! And re-newed hope? I hope this little one returns. Pretty sure this is the same male that visits all the boxes, so I won't be renewing any hope until I see a female inside but they seem a bit thin on the ground at the moment!
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Post by WildlifePaul on Apr 15, 2020 9:47:12 GMT
Lovely picture Matt, I hope a female shows up for you, I'm guessing his first female will be well into building now probably even egg laying, So he will have more time on his hands during egg laying. Very limited visits to the box, Could be his chance to get a second female if one is knocking about without a mate. If a female shows up let us know, Saves me bugging you asking all the time! Really love your quality though, Its shame we'll likely need to wait another year to maybe see it in action Are you going to try a box without lighting next year matt just to see what happens or you still going to have some kind of lighting? Sorry for the long reply you know what I am like once I get started don't shut up!
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Post by matt on Apr 15, 2020 10:11:57 GMT
Might try a couple with the lights off Paul, and then perhaps gradually raise the brightness if I get a nest? I can dim them, turn them on and off remotely etc so lots of options. I'm not totally convinced it is the lights really, since so many people are successful with them - just trying to think of excuses! But, maybe, it could be a factor if they have the option of other boxes nearby that don't have lights. The main issue is probably just the number of nearby gardens with nest boxes (most of them, as far as I can tell) and not enough birds to go around. Then it is always a lottery I guess so perhaps I should be turning my attentions to other birds. Sparrows are still nesting in the roof, and the starling is back in his/her hole in the wall, for example.
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Post by karenupnorth on Apr 15, 2020 10:35:17 GMT
I think your right Matt, there are so many boxes around for them now, with spring watch and big garden birdwatch etc, the birds hold quite a large territory and with so many boxes to chose it does come down to luck mainly, unless we an figure them out with the survey
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Post by Deleted on Apr 15, 2020 10:39:26 GMT
Quality picture Matt. Fingers crossed!
The starling idea might work if you site the box over their existing hole this Aug/Sept in case they roost there.
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Post by WildlifePaul on Apr 15, 2020 10:47:11 GMT
I think this year even more so to be honest Matt, I've seen lots of people over march on twitter buying bird box cameras and stuff, People who normally wouldn't just due being stuck at home and gives them something to watch. Sounds like your area's got alot of boxes, Be great if you knew what made them pick certain boxes wouldn't it.
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Post by matt on Apr 15, 2020 10:59:33 GMT
Be great if you knew what made them pick certain boxes wouldn't it. Yeah I'll get that survey made soon, might be some interesting results. I reckon maybe lights (could work around this by leaving them off to start, maybe), also maybe hole size. Was interesting to see the great tit attacking a robin's egg. I wonder if a bluetit would feel a bit safer with a smaller hole? I know they are happy to use 32mm holes, but again, maybe if they have the choice of boxes nearby they'd go for one with a hole that would keep bigger birds out? Locally it seems the smaller, crappier and older the box is, the more likely it is to get used!
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Post by WildlifePaul on Apr 15, 2020 11:12:42 GMT
What I do Matt is have half mine 32mm and half 28mm, I use nestbox plates, I don't know if that makes a difference because it makes the box appear stronger from outside when checking it out. I don't know if you seen in Karen thread, But Cheryl mum had box in her garden for a few years no taker just a standard box the hole was 30mm when I measured it. This year I give her one of my old gardenature boxes with a 28mm plate on, She's got building happening she is over the moon, Think the nest is complete now actually. Its in same place of the old box, I don't know if its just the new box they like or the plate helped.
My two BT nest that happening at moment are using 28mm holes, But I have had them use 32mm in past aswell no problem.
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Post by petesbox on Apr 15, 2020 11:14:02 GMT
Great photo Matt, Hoorah up the right way as well excellant, serious though try with the lights off i decided to turn mine off last year and got a late BT nest whether that had anything to do with turning the lights off i cant say as i was getting infrequent visits with the lights on.
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Post by sammi on Apr 16, 2020 6:00:32 GMT
It's an interesting one this discussion on lighting. Mine are nesting in GN box with no light,male roosting in GN box with light. But there has been interest in my old Boxwatch box which had no 'windows' but has a light. So who knows?
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Post by karenupnorth on Apr 16, 2020 7:42:28 GMT
My BTs are nesting in a box with 28mm hole with plate and no light.
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Post by suep on Apr 16, 2020 9:57:08 GMT
My lucky box that always seemed to have a nest has only 27mm holes (concrete box) and no lighting!! Sue
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Post by WildlifePaul on Apr 16, 2020 10:30:21 GMT
Ladies, You need to stop doing this to me, Clicked on matt's thread so fast I nearly dislocated my finger thinking he's had major activity or building!
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Post by suep on Apr 16, 2020 10:31:36 GMT
Ladies, You need to stop doing this to me, Clicked on matt's thread so fast I nearly dislocated my finger thinking he's had major activity or building! Sorry Paul .
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Post by matt on Apr 16, 2020 13:14:31 GMT
Even I got excited Paul!
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Post by matt on Apr 19, 2020 13:19:27 GMT
OK, no one get excited but here are some strange goings on from the same box this morning - so any experts please take a look and let me know what is going on!
The camera system seems to be playing up a bit in this box - quite a few missed frames, and the video below is made up of 6 separate 30 second video triggers, so it is a bit disjointed. I am 99% sure that this is the male inside for the whole time, calling her in and doing nest wiggles. The female can be seen a couple of times outside the hole but I don't think she goes in. He finally managed to get the bamboo leaf that has been peeing him off out (he first tried this about a month ago). So this was early morning, half the video before the lights were on (lights come on at 6, halfway through the vid). Last couple of seconds (after the fade) was half an hour later at 7.30 (times are GMT on the video). He looks like he is calling then but you can't see the female. I have kept an eye on the box since, of course, but no more action. There were visits yesterday, but not as long.
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Post by Ann70 on Apr 19, 2020 13:36:02 GMT
Fingers crossed this is going to be your lucky box and a start to nesting, so hope it is Matt
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Post by suep on Apr 19, 2020 13:58:39 GMT
Oh wow, wouldn’t that be a fantastic turn around. You never know Matt. Just let us know if anything transpires . Great footage. Sue
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Post by petesbox on Apr 19, 2020 13:59:24 GMT
That is a female in the box Matt, doing if only half heartidly nest wriggles, if it was the male in the box he would be cowering down on the floor waiting for her to enter. Yep definitely a female.
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Post by greatbluehopeful on Apr 19, 2020 14:25:04 GMT
Ooohh!!!! I really am delighted to see this development. They must be still looking as why would they bother???
I'm very hopeful for you.
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Post by matt on Apr 19, 2020 14:32:11 GMT
That is a female in the box Matt, doing if only half heartidly nest wriggles, if it was the male in the box he would be cowering down on the floor waiting for her to enter. Yep definitely a female. I don't know Pete - I am almost certain it is the male, even though it is doing wiggles. It's got the tufty head, and does occasionally crouch and call to the female in this and other visits. That's why I think he is still trying to get the female in, but she isn't having it (seen outside a couple of times in the latest vid). Could be wrong though, so happy to defer. All a bit weird tbh, especially as late as this.
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Post by karenupnorth on Apr 19, 2020 15:08:49 GMT
Brilliant Matt, I hope they choose it! I actually think it is the female in the box too, as my female makes the same face when my male looks into box, she has a crest too on her head, I am pretty convinced it is the female!!
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