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Post by WildlifePaul on Mar 9, 2020 13:47:42 GMT
Thats a good sign then Really do hope you, Matt and Amanda get nests this year! Apparently high pressure is taking control from Monday next week, So milder, Sunny and dry. I think next week everyone will be getting good nest box action.
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Post by karenupnorth on Mar 9, 2020 13:53:14 GMT
Yeah I hope so too Paul,got all crossed for all of us,that we all get lots of healthy fledglings and happy parents
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Post by suep on Mar 9, 2020 15:05:51 GMT
Hope the nest wriggles mean they are staying with you Karen . If your neighbours box fall off the wall you know we are NOT going to believe it was the wind . Paul and Matts comments did make me laugh. Sue
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Post by karenupnorth on Mar 9, 2020 15:58:20 GMT
couple of cheeky wriggles
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Post by Ann70 on Mar 9, 2020 18:56:39 GMT
all the best Karen
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Post by karenupnorth on Mar 9, 2020 19:27:44 GMT
Thank you!
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Post by Amanda on Mar 9, 2020 20:18:24 GMT
Fingers crossed Karen.....it’s looking good so far
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Post by greatbluehopeful on Mar 10, 2020 7:13:09 GMT
Good luck Karen...looking positive.
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Post by matt on Mar 10, 2020 9:08:24 GMT
Looking good Karen!!
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Post by karenupnorth on Mar 10, 2020 14:22:30 GMT
Thanks all, very windy today up here and very little happening.
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Post by karenupnorth on Mar 15, 2020 9:55:36 GMT
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Post by greatbluehopeful on Mar 16, 2020 8:52:49 GMT
Looks like shes trying to see if there is a nest building manual on that shelf Karen!!!
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Post by karenupnorth on Mar 16, 2020 11:24:47 GMT
Haha nest making for dummies! Or how to impress the bird in your life!
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Post by Amanda on Mar 29, 2020 13:47:53 GMT
Are you okay Karen? You’ve not been on for a while xx
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Post by karenupnorth on Apr 5, 2020 12:47:22 GMT
Its a gorgeous sunny day here in North Yorks. I have been busy in the garden the past few days and I am almost certain a pair of BTs have chosen net doors box, lots of activity, havnt seen nest material going in yet but looks like they have settled on it.
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Post by WildlifePaul on Apr 5, 2020 13:06:14 GMT
Oh Karen I've been waiting for an update off you, I thought with the regular visits over the last few weeks and nest wriggles etc it would be nest building soon. This year i've really wanted you and Matt to get a nest after last year, Was disappointed when Matt said someone on his street as building, Even more disappointed today seeing this from you. I have my fingers crossed for a second female I hope it isn't another year with no nest after all the changes you made with your boxes. P.s next door box needs removing by next year, I'll happily come and do it for you!
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Post by matt on Apr 5, 2020 13:06:57 GMT
Doh! I am in the exact same situation. Glorious weather all week, birds all over the garden and the feeders but not so much as a visit to any of our boxes. At least we have a few other members on here with live streams this year! Also, the starlings have taken up residence in the hole in our house wall again. I was planning to put a box in front of it at one point, but never quite got round to it (awkward place to get a wire to, was what put me off). I had to nip over to the garden of elderly neighbours opposite yesterday because the poor lady had fallen in the garden and couldn't get up. Fortunately she was fine when I lifted her up (social distancing suspended briefly), but I couldn't help noticing a really old looking nest box on the side of their garage, and a bluetit was in and out a couple of times in just the few minutes I was there!! I don't think these are our birds though, as the ones that frequent our garden seem to fly in the opposite direction to these neighbours. It does show that nesting is happening locally though.. and even the oaks are starting to leaf now so that excuse is wearing thin!
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Post by WildlifePaul on Apr 5, 2020 13:14:09 GMT
Doh! I am in the exact same situation. Glorious weather all week, birds all over the garden and the feeders but not so much as a visit to any of our boxes. At least we have a few other members on here with live streams this year! Also, the starlings have taken up residence in the hole in our house wall again. I was planning to put a box in front of it at one point, but never quite got round to it (awkward place to get a wire to, was what put me off). I had to nip over to the garden of elderly neighbours opposite yesterday because the poor lady had fallen in the garden and couldn't get up. Fortunately she was fine when I lifted her up (social distancing suspended briefly), but I couldn't help noticing a really old looking nest box on the side of their garage, and a bluetit was in and out a couple of times in just the few minutes I was there!! I don't think these are our birds though, as the ones that frequent our garden seem to fly in the opposite direction to these neighbours. It does show that nesting is happening locally though.. and even the oaks are starting to leaf now so that excuse is wearing thin! You should get around to that over autumn if the blue tits don't use your boxes again Matt, It sounds like your street may have few options for nest sites for the blue tits, If a nest is close to your house it will be the same male because our males always control a large area of our road, So if the old woman box is close to your house very likely its " your" male. I know starlings are like sparrows in staying loyal to a nest site, So could be good for you if the blue tits keep over looking you, Gives you something to watch atleast. I really hope you get a nest though I want to see all the stages with the quality of your cameras still time for a second female though, another 2 weeks or so for that.
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Post by suep on Apr 5, 2020 13:35:01 GMT
Looks like a few of us still in limbo, after my excitement yesterday all fallen flat with no more visits. Next couple of weeks going to be tough if nothing happens for us Live video streams will be well watched me thinks. Sue
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Post by WildlifePaul on Apr 5, 2020 13:45:23 GMT
That is pretty standard behaviour for a BT at the early stages Sue, I always get my first material then wait sometimes weeks for more then wait again days before next load. Once they get going they really get going, But early stages is always the behaviour you are describing.
Its like in my garden currently, I have one female totally finished her nest, Meanwhile over the front more material is going out than coming in. I do think its two females in same box at this stage though, One seems to be bringing it in and one seems to be taken it back out, Of course the same male as all 3 females. But I have two that are in no real rush to finish and 1 who is completely done.
You have a female bringing in material so its clear its interested and likes the box, I think things will really pick up for people next week looking at the weather plus entering into the second week of April.
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Post by karenupnorth on Apr 5, 2020 14:04:36 GMT
It was the same last year Paul, loads of interest lots of visits and nest wriggles even a tiny bit of material last year then off they went elsewhere! Same situation here Matt regarding boxes,our neighbours box has been there years and is very rough looking but the birds seem to like it. What will be will be. Fingers crossed he gets another lady!
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Post by karenupnorth on Apr 8, 2020 7:24:10 GMT
Still not much happening in my boxes but next doors box still getting interest, I havnt seen material going in, I think they are at the preparing stage, so I think it is doubtful that I get a nest now, oh well, hope all goes well for the birds and i will be on hand with waxworms as they come to feed, I have also put out some soft nest fluff for them
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Post by Deleted on Apr 8, 2020 8:06:07 GMT
Frustrating for you Karen. Our Great tits seem to follow that pattern this last 4 seasons. Eat our seed, lots of inspections then they bugger off to a box 5 gardens down
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Post by suep on Apr 8, 2020 8:14:33 GMT
Still same here Karen, so many visits, material brought in, nest wriggles, feeding between the pair - now - nothing!!! All the positive signs and then it falls flat. Like you, I am sure mine have gone elsewhere. I truly believe it was having to clean after my rooster every day was becoming a pain and guess it was the last straw (excuse the pun). Hope, they do finally decide on your box Karen . Sue
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Post by matt on Apr 8, 2020 13:00:27 GMT
I feel it too, Karen. I think the issue more than anything is that so many people now have nest boxes. I know RSPB and others were trying to get us to do it for ages, because there was a shortage of good nesting spots, but it now it seems that just about every garden has at least one box. As Paul says, a bluetit's range can be quite large in terms of gardens, so there just aren't enough birds to go around I still have concerns about lights in boxes, to be honest. I do wonder if, given the choice, birds prefer a darker box? If there aren't any other choices then they obviously will nest in a box with lights, but my record is: year 1: 1 box, no lights, 1 nest, year 2: 3 boxes, all with lights, no nest, year 3: 5 boxes, all with lights, no nest. Not conclusive of course, and it could still happen this year, but next year I am going to leave the lights off in 2-3 of my boxes just to see if they prefer them. Has anyone on this forum had boxes with/without lights at the same time? If so, did birds prefer one over the other?
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