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Post by WildlifePaul on Apr 8, 2020 13:08:48 GMT
Matt, I don't have boxes without lights, But in our road the council did put up a few 32mm boxes under peoples eves, So I think theres around 10 of them on my street. Birds do check them out but never use them, Not even the sparrows obv these do not have lights.
One thing I have noticed about your lights though matt is you have alot of bulbs, In the led lights I use an most the forum have its only 3 tiny bulbs inside a case. Just looking at yours when you started your thread I think I counted around 16 bulbs in your sparrow box I think it was, Do you think it could be abit to bright?
You could limit them down to a smaller number maybe or just like you said leave them totally off and see what happens next year.
P.s I don't think Karen's most popular box in terms of views this year / videos has got an led light in Matt.
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Post by petesbox on Apr 8, 2020 13:51:29 GMT
Yes i think i agree with Paul try less LED's next time, i have the same bulbs as paul and some of the others on the forum the 'GREEN FEATHERS' lights but in my GT's box there only 1 - 2 of those led's shining through a small aperture in the false ceiling towards the front of the box about 15mm square which is enough light to turn off the infrared lights on the camera and also light up the box. Last year i made my own light system which lit up most of the ceiling but ended turning the lights off cos i thought it was to bright, i think the light setup was similar to yours. So what i'm saying is next time try one point of light coming from the ceiling like i have done this year.
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Post by matt on Apr 8, 2020 16:14:08 GMT
I think the brightness of my LEDs is almost certainly lower than the standard 12v kit - mine is 5v and about 200mA, lots of separate LEDs but each one is not that bright so it is distributed (also behind a frosted plastic), so I don't reckon its brightness tbh. Could just be luck of the draw, which is probably the most likely explanation.. I'll still run a couple with the lights off next year, and switch them on/slowly bring up the brightness if I get any takers (once they are well established).
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Post by WildlifePaul on Apr 8, 2020 16:26:30 GMT
Hmmm don't know then Matt, If leds aren't to bright I don't think should be a problem. Maybe next year you should try a few different things, Maybe a box that is totally dark no lights no windows how it was your first year you got a nest, and try some with less leds on during the "will they won't they stages" and see what works out best for you. If still get no nest after all that you know its probably due to having plenty of nest sites in your local area, Male bird will run a few gardens in your area, Mine normally run the whole back and front of the house so they do cover a big area of what they run.
I think all you can do is try a few different things next year, If you have doubts it could be led i'll have one box with no lighting at all or windows, Worst thing that can happen is you get a nest in black and white but its better than no nest at all isn't it after all the work you've put into your boxes.
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Post by matt on Apr 8, 2020 16:31:01 GMT
If still get no nest after all that you know its probably due to having plenty of nest sites in your local area, Male bird will run a few gardens in your area, Mine normally run the whole back and front of the house so they do cover a big area of what they run. I think that is probably the likely explanation, but I did get my hopes up when I saw a flock of 10+ bluetits around the feeder over winter. I wonder where they all go? Still getting at least 3 different bluetits on the feeder throughout the day now.
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Post by WildlifePaul on Apr 8, 2020 16:44:57 GMT
Its all to do with territory really matt, We get around 20 plus blue tits in the garden during winter, But when we get to February you see the numbers dropping daily. End up with around 4-6, The male won't let another male in his territory he doesn't mind the females that's why sometimes you get later nests of second females or even third females. So I think the dramatic number drop is all down to the territory.
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Post by matt on Apr 8, 2020 16:47:00 GMT
So they all fly around a bunch of territories in one big flock over winter, and then split up back to their individual territories for mating season? Makes sense. I did read that male bluetit aggression to other males goes away over winter, so they can all hang out together - which is nice!
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Post by karenupnorth on Apr 10, 2020 11:24:18 GMT
Tree box whih had a rooster in and also lots of interest didnt have a light, but the rest did, but did have a rooster in one before with a light and tbh it didnt appear to bother them, I use a green feathers one. Really not sure what makes them chose one over another,if only e could read their minds! Im doing the big garden campout tonight so will be sharing the garden with the hogs!!
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Post by matt on Apr 10, 2020 12:27:09 GMT
Really not sure what makes them chose one over another,if only e could read their minds! I think between all of us one here, we really should be able to narrow down some preferences. I am going to look into creating a survey on here that we can all take, with box features (size, hole size, lights or not), location etc and if we all entered all of our box details (nest or no nest) perhaps a few common features would come to light? It could be really useful going forwards. Commiserations to you as well Karen, I know just how frustrating it is not to get a nest after all the work involved - especially your box with the interior decor!!
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Post by karenupnorth on Apr 10, 2020 13:13:56 GMT
Thats a good idea Matt. Be intersting to see the results. I have boxes facing every direction, but the two facing east are most popular. Also do they have different requirements when searhing a roosting site, as I get roosters ok, but just the one nest back in 2018.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 10, 2020 13:24:21 GMT
In the past I have moved boxes around when I've had no takers for a couple of seasons. These days I have many dotted around. I use mostly 28mm plates for Great and Blue tits and 25mm if I want to keep it to Blue tits or hopefully a Coal Tit. I know the latter nest lower down and so have one at about 3 ft high behind a conifer.
I agree with Paul in that the boxes attached to the side of the house always seem to be preferred by Blue tits anyway. As for lights my birds including Starlings have never seemed to mind them (though I purposely did not put one in the Robin kettle) In fact the first season I used lights about 10 years ago they failed and stayed on all the time even during the night. The Blue tits and then Great Tits the following year did not mind at all!
As for direction I've had success in West, North, South but have not tried East as that is the front of my house. I try not to face South /South West as the heat in May/June can stress the nestlings.
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Post by WildlifePaul on Apr 10, 2020 13:48:33 GMT
Curious Benn, You know your south facing boxes in the past was they always a success? Because mine always are, Like this year all my boxes being used our south facing, sparrow and 2 blue tits, Never had problem with overheating because there in shade despise facing south that or Liverpool only get 2 days of "hot" weather and thats our summer hahhaa be one of them But every year its always my south boxes my most popular, North ones have only had 1 nest in over 6 years, South ones get nests every single year.
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Post by greatbluehopeful on Apr 11, 2020 10:12:13 GMT
Really not sure what makes them chose one over another,if only e could read their minds! I think between all of us one here, we really should be able to narrow down some preferences. I am going to look into creating a survey on here that we can all take, with box features (size, hole size, lights or not), location etc and if we all entered all of our box details (nest or no nest) perhaps a few common features would come to light? It could be really useful going forwards. Commiserations to you as well Karen, I know just how frustrating it is not to get a nest after all the work involved - especially your box with the interior decor!! Great idea Matt!!! I will happily enter my data anyway....might help us get some success next year!
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Post by suep on Apr 11, 2020 10:33:13 GMT
Sorry your thread is being bombarded Karen, but on the subject of lights or no lights I just thought i’d add what has happened in my box this year. First year i’ve had lights and whilst i’ve had lots of visits I do not have a nest. Mostly the birds don’t seem to be put off by the lights BUT my rooster definitely was. Each evening if he turned up and light was off he was fine and he settled down really quickly, but if he tuned up before the light had gone out, he just turned and left the box again and again and would only settle once light had gone out. He definitely objected to the light, so some don’t mind whilst others strongly do. Also, my ‘lucky box’ that was used year after year had no light but had three entrance holes. This box was always chosen and my son with same box has has a nest year after year - and again this year. I had a friend replicate the box but in wood so I could add lighting, but whilst I have had a rooster in this box and loads of visits, nest wriggles etc etc I do not have a nest. However, I do feel they like the multiple holes as my other box up without has had zilch visits. Wonder if all our data would tell us they are just as individual as us when it comes to choosing the perfect home. - what’s important to one is unimportant to another - we are all different in our choices and maybe the birds are the same . Sue
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Post by WildlifePaul on Apr 11, 2020 11:24:03 GMT
You know one thing that might be good to add to this convo, All my boxes have nest box plates on. I never leave them bare wood, Mainly so the wood doesn't get damaged around hole but every year the female blue tit does test out the hole and I'm wondering if having the metal plate on makes it seem stronger for her? Your lucky box was stone wasn't it sue? So it was solid anyway. But i've just been thinking to myself, My girlfriend mum had a nest box for 3 years no luck, So this year I give her one of my old ones with a plate on and she's got a blue tit building its in the same place the one was 3 years ago.
I don't know if it makes a difference, But I'm guessing if the hole appearing stronger will be taken into account for the female blue tit? I know most boxes come with the plates already on these days so could it be the case of these little plates making a difference sometimes when they are comparing?
This slipped my mind, But I was talking to cheryl this morning and she said my mum is over the moon watching the blue tits build she said thank you for the box, Then it clicked maybe they do take that into account.
I don't know maybe I am talking nonsense and lockdown is getting to my head hahhaha but its just a thought.
P.s I know Karen box does have a metal plate on this year, I am wondering if your neighbours does aswell Karen?
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Post by karenupnorth on Apr 11, 2020 13:30:04 GMT
No metal plate next door Paul, in fact its old as the hills and quite knackerd in my opinion!But the Birds are still visiting it today, it faces East, it is in exactly the same position as my nest in 2018 only difference is that it is 5ft away further along the fence. My nest didnt have a metal plate but did have a peg which I have learnt isnt good to have so all mine only have metal plates.
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Post by matt on Apr 11, 2020 13:33:07 GMT
OK chaps, I have made a new thread to discuss a possible nest box survey so please check it out and we can stop bombarding Karen's thread
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Post by karenupnorth on Apr 11, 2020 15:29:23 GMT
I dont mind at all, nothing to report bird wise Just been out in the garden and noticed next door but 1 now has a nest box, I wondered what all the drilling and sawing was, so even more competition
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Post by greatbluehopeful on Apr 12, 2020 7:04:16 GMT
Oh no!!! Lol!!! How dare they put a box up!
Yes, I've learned to my detriment not to "talk up" the birdboxes too much...the neighbours will go "oh, I must put one up myself".
Happened at the new house I'm in...my next door neighbour wants to put one up now, once he spoke to me about mine.
Not sure if he put one up yet this year yet..but next year we'll be in direct competition.
Feel like saying..."Hey, Thats my thing". Oh well.
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Post by karenupnorth on Apr 12, 2020 7:21:05 GMT
I wont count my chickens just yet but for some reason material is going in after no visits for 2 weeks!
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Post by karenupnorth on Apr 12, 2020 7:25:04 GMT
I agree gbh, I think they have seen them going into my neighbours box and thought we ant to have one too, but I can hardly believe my eyes when I saw them coming back to mine!! I am not sure who is who this could be another female perhaps he has on the go I dont no but I am one happy bunny!
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Post by Ann70 on Apr 12, 2020 7:34:21 GMT
how exciting Karen,
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Post by greatbluehopeful on Apr 12, 2020 7:45:19 GMT
Brilliant!!! You must be thrilled!!!!
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Post by karenupnorth on Apr 12, 2020 7:48:29 GMT
They just never stop surprising me, still cant let myself get excited as they may change their mind!
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Post by matt on Apr 12, 2020 8:33:52 GMT
Fab news, fingers crossed Karen!!
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