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Post by hfriel on Apr 15, 2020 19:07:17 GMT
Hi All Another year another nest Had given up hope of a nest this year, firstly we had a very bad rat problem earlier in the year, we could see them around the birds feeders....horrible (No fatballs, just black sunflower seeds!!) The council came out and put down loads of poison everywhere and warned us about birdseed. So all feeders had to be taken away We decided to get a kitten to help with the problem as we always had cats. The cat (now almost 9 months old and big) loves to sleep under the nestbox!! We’d had a pair of Bluetits visiting everyday since Xmas Eve, She even brought in the odd bit of nesting material in February, then when the food disappeared they only visited the odd time (if it was the same pair ) and then yesterday they visited a few times in the morning, she did 2 nesting wiggles and then at about 6pm she brought in one piece of straw. 8.30 this morning she started bringing in moss and never stopped all day. I have a confession to make, I gathered up a load of moss and put it in a hanging basket to stop her going down on the grass as the Cat is just waiting around corners all the time. Now I have a Grey Tit, Coal tit and my Blue tit all helping themselves to the moss . The nest looks nearly finished, that is except for the feathered cushions. This is almost identical to last year and same date, give or take a day or two, which is much later than my previous nests, so not sure why but given the speed of todays building, it could be a pair that were disturbed from another nest site or maybe it took that long to find enough food to fatten themselves up as all my neighbours took in their bird feeders too because of the rat problem. So don’t give up hope yet everybody!!
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Post by hfriel on Apr 15, 2020 19:19:14 GMT
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Post by WildlifePaul on Apr 15, 2020 19:21:06 GMT
Good to have you back Helen, Blimey she is a fast worker! Looking forward to your updates.
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Post by Taz on Apr 15, 2020 19:29:42 GMT
Wow, that's amazing.very hard worker. Welcome back too Helen Taz
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Post by petesbox on Apr 15, 2020 22:15:25 GMT
Blimey that is fast, and welcome back.
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Post by sammi on Apr 16, 2020 5:23:27 GMT
Welcome back Helen. Good luck with the nest. Looks like eggs wont be long.🙂
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Post by springtime 66 on Apr 16, 2020 9:53:23 GMT
Hi Helen good luck with your nest, do you have a wren this year
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Post by suep on Apr 16, 2020 10:30:33 GMT
Great to have you back Helen. Wow that is quick work, and such a boost of hope. Looking forward to your updates. Sue
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Post by Beechnut on Apr 16, 2020 13:59:45 GMT
Pleased to see you back Helen - hope it all works for you.
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Post by elle on Apr 16, 2020 21:29:45 GMT
Hi Helen My word, she defnately is a super fast worker, good luck Elle xx
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Post by greatbluehopeful on Apr 17, 2020 6:49:42 GMT
Ah! Great to see you back...
And great news on the nest even with the new cat!
Hope for us all indeed!!!
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Post by hfriel on Apr 17, 2020 7:56:36 GMT
Day 2 of frantic nestbuilding (yesterday) saw her bring in some feathers and she roosted there last night for the first time (strangely, I didn’t have any roosters in any of my nest boxes this year) Busy filling in the cup this morning. At this rate we could have an egg by Sunday or Monday. He’s very keen hangs out on the roof and side of the box all the time (I’d swear he has a cigarette hanging out of his beak )
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Post by greatbluehopeful on Apr 17, 2020 8:03:45 GMT
That is simply brilliant!!! How exciting for you....I love that when all hope was given up, they turn around and give you a lovely surprise....and no hanging around for you either!!! Bam! - pick box, Bam! - Build nest, Bam! - roost!!!
I like the way they operate!!
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Post by hfriel on Apr 17, 2020 8:11:26 GMT
Hi Helen good luck with your nest, do you have a wren this year Hi Ann Actually the wren did keep visiting the box in February, I was so hoping he would consider it, don’t think wrens nest in nestboxes though 🤔 There are 3 palm trees beside the nestbox with a lot of ivy going through them, I think that has wren and robin nests every year, I should really cut away the ivy as it will probably kill the trees in the end, but the birds are so happy there.
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Post by hfriel on Apr 17, 2020 8:16:05 GMT
That is simply brilliant!!! How exciting for you....I love that when all hope was given up, they turn around and give you a lovely surprise....and no hanging around for you either!!! Bam! - pick box, Bam! - Build nest, Bam! - roost!!! I like the way they operate!! Thanks GBH The funny thing is despite the rapid nestbuilding she‘s a very chilled bird, takes her time in the nest, just makes thousands of visits with material. So stay positive 🤞🤞🤞
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Post by WildlifePaul on Apr 17, 2020 10:39:39 GMT
Wouldn't be surprised myself Helen, What a fast worker!
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Post by hfriel on Apr 22, 2020 13:38:18 GMT
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Post by hfriel on Apr 22, 2020 13:40:09 GMT
She seemed to be a bit surprised by the egg and kept pushing it around, didn’t cover it for hours.
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Post by WildlifePaul on Apr 22, 2020 13:56:28 GMT
Lovely video Helen.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 22, 2020 15:30:41 GMT
Brilliant Helen! Wish mine would take a leaf and do something!!!
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Post by greatbluehopeful on Apr 22, 2020 15:58:28 GMT
Lovely, just lovely...Congrats!
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Post by suep on Apr 22, 2020 16:41:29 GMT
That is brilliant Helen, love the video and the look on her little face. Sort of “where did that come from.”. Sue
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Post by Beechnut on Apr 22, 2020 16:50:24 GMT
Well Done Zoom - Keep 'em coming!!
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Post by Taz on Apr 22, 2020 20:56:50 GMT
Wow, that's great news, so pleased for you 💃
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Post by hfriel on Apr 23, 2020 19:13:49 GMT
I have to say Zoom is the untidiness messiest nestbuilder I’ve had in the last 10 years of Blutit’s nests. Because she’s avoiding the cat in our garden, she’s going off to all sorts of places for her material. We have straw (some huge pieces) moss, feathers of all colours and sizes (one large fluorescent pink one) human and dog hair, herbs etc.,etc., All just thrown in.
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