tommyg1
Junior Member
Hi,
Posts: 58
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Post by tommyg1 on Jan 17, 2021 10:58:57 GMT
Hi Paul, thanks! Another question, I now see the greenfeatherbox:) This box is 19cm deep! The boxes from gardenaturen are 11cm(floor to entrance hole). You read a lot that the minimum is 12 so is the box from gardenature deep enough?.I think so but is 19 better for the tits. I think for cats and some mammals its better to have a deep box. I have this box also, its a nice one but the wood is a little bit splinterly ?, I dont know the word in english:) Good luck this season, Tom.
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Post by WildlifePaul on Jan 17, 2021 11:24:23 GMT
I wouldn't say so Tommie, My flat roof boxes by Gardenature are my most popular in the garden. Also the RSPB use them for the ip camera kits they sell - shopping.rspb.org.uk/nest-box-accessories/rspb-ip-camera-nest-box-system.htmlso the boxes are recommended by the RSPB infact gardenature make all the boxes for the RSPB even the none camera ones. I think the key with nest boxes is never putting them somewhere something can get easy access to the box, When placing a box we have the power to put the birds safety first. I have a few cats myself so I always keep that in mind when placing my boxes.
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tommyg1
Junior Member
Hi,
Posts: 58
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Post by tommyg1 on Jan 17, 2021 11:31:34 GMT
Thanks again Paul.
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Post by WildlifePaul on Jan 17, 2021 17:02:50 GMT
So, The tree box has got a rooster tonight, I think its the female thats been wary to come inside for a week. I am guessing judging by her back feathers (see video) shes survived an attack of some kind her neck is totally bald aswell its either that or shes got mites but doubt her back would look like that from mites. Giving me scruffy vibes who nested in this box 2 years ago if you remember her. If she goes on to nest for me I might have to call her peacock poor thing shouldn't make fun of it really!
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Post by sammi on Jan 17, 2021 20:46:59 GMT
Oh bless her she does look like she's been dragged backwards through a hedge doesn't she. I remember Scruffy well Things are definitely starting to happen
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Post by WildlifePaul on Jan 18, 2021 11:29:51 GMT
Wow, all go in my tree box this morning! over 30 visits from both females!! First video is our normal female who's been visiting the box every morning for a month now she removes all the poo from the overnight rooster Second video is the scruffy female coming in the male was on the outside of the box during her visit, I am guessing she came to clean the poo which was already gone I think the males got 2 females on the go already Lets see who wins, I am kind of rooting for little peacock! bless her
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Post by YorksherLass on Jan 18, 2021 12:35:26 GMT
Paul - just like Sammi I remember Scruffy too, why does she have to have competition though! I can't remember if she had to share the male last time, but like you I'm rooting for her to win that box over the other one (even though she is hard working!) Good luck little Peacock
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Post by WildlifePaul on Jan 18, 2021 13:00:47 GMT
Happens every year Diane, Good thing is plenty of boxes around the garden so whatever one loses she will have another box nearby! Nice to have so much activity by 2 females already though!
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Post by karenupnorth on Jan 18, 2021 18:53:05 GMT
Things are hotting up thank goodness nature isnt on lockdown too.
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Post by WildlifePaul on Jan 24, 2021 15:01:13 GMT
Some clips of visits today to the box, Its been snowing all morning here 1c feels minus 3 so wasn't expecting nothing! But had about 15 visits during the day so put some of the visits today from this afternoon. Not all the video would be far to long some the visits lasted 4 or 5 minutes! The first clip is our original female doing the cleaning, the other 2 are what i think is the male bird. Thought i'd share them because I don't see the male in the box much to be honest, both females bring themselves in without him. Here's the video Here's a little still picture of the male from one of the videos Amazed I am getting this quality today without an led light, The nest box windows on the roof the box which has got a few cms of snow covering it! Really impressed with the camera to be honest!
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Post by YorksherLass on Jan 24, 2021 15:50:46 GMT
Fabulous Paul!
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Post by Ann70 on Jan 24, 2021 16:08:27 GMT
Hi Paul We have had snow all day as well here, good to have so many visits on this cold day I’ve only seen one visit of a great tit to a box today when I looked up I’ve not sat any time to watch as I didn’t expect anything with today’s weather Plenty busy with food all day
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Post by karenupnorth on Jan 24, 2021 17:45:10 GMT
Brilliant Paul, oooh i cant wait!!
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Post by sammi on Jan 25, 2021 9:58:04 GMT
Lovely video and pic Paul. It amazes me how much activity there is in this cold weather. I've never had the cameras on so much and its lovely to see things progressing from the very beginning.
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Post by petesbox on Jan 25, 2021 11:09:45 GMT
Nice one Paul looks good in 1080p.
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Post by Ann70 on Jan 25, 2021 11:30:12 GMT
Ive had a visit from a blue tit to my sideview box this morning he disappeared inside for a good 5 mins. Heres hoping this year the box will be used. i must keep looking to see if he visits regular i have had quick visits to my other boxes from both blue tits and great tits over time
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Post by matt on Jan 25, 2021 15:00:42 GMT
I have to say Paul that the images from your new cameras are absolutely excellent, especially considering there is no LED lighting in there! Strongly tempted to get one for next year I think! I'm still constantly amazed by the sheer amount of activity you get in your nest boxes as well. Any action in the concrete one at all??
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Post by WildlifePaul on Jan 25, 2021 16:30:42 GMT
I am glad everyone is seeing activity in the boxes! things are certainly heating up Matt, Thank you! I am very impressed with them to be honest, I'll try turning the light on once the leaves come out and see if I can notice much difference. I think the large window across the roof of the flat roof boxes really makes a difference, I am waiting for something to pop into my wall box now because that is also a flat roof box but the window is pretty close to the eve so not that much light compared to the tree box so we will see how that performs with lower light didn't even put an led in that or sparrow box so I can't have the option of turning one on but if they need it i'll readd next year. The stone box still got the rooster, Its a messy male but I have been cleaning it out once a month to keep the poo down. I couldn't tell you its had many visits because they are just on my tellys so I imagine they will be getting visits Tree box at moment is the main activity for me, We have a tatty female roosting and another female cleaning it each morning, Both females are very active in the box through the day rain sleet or snow just dreading the fight which will take place when they cross eachother Little peacock is still roosting by the way, God bless her hasn't got no feathers on the back of her neck she is a hot mess!
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Post by WildlifePaul on Jan 27, 2021 12:48:25 GMT
So, Dare I say it but it looks like I have THREE females cleaning out the tree box! The picture I posted the other day thinking it was the male, Turns out it started cleaning the box yesterday during a visit (can see the video on twitter i'll post it below) and today its been back and removed everything, Poo, feathers etc. Our original female has been leaving the feathers when she cleans, The scruffy rooster only removes the poo now and again, This bird I thought was male just cleaned it all. I knew it was a different blue tit because it looks more "chubby" so I just guessed it was male, So it looks like I have 3 females all cleaning / visiting the box without the male showing them and of course 1 is roosting. Unless I have a male that cleans, But I highly doubt that after all the years of watching them!
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Post by karenupnorth on Jan 28, 2021 8:13:18 GMT
Flipping heck, gonna get real interesting with that box!
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Post by WildlifePaul on Jan 29, 2021 11:28:46 GMT
Double visit this morning, You really get to see the damage to "peacock" in this video, Bless her I honestly don't know if its mites or shes survived an attack Here she is anyway she is still roosting in the box every night, I sadly think this box will get took off her giving all the interest its getting. But I am rooting for her even know shes probably the most scruffy looking blue tit I have seen Come on peacock girl!
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Post by YorksherLass on Jan 29, 2021 12:36:43 GMT
Yes, she does look bad, poor little Peacock - but I'm still rooting for her too!
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Post by WildlifePaul on Feb 1, 2021 11:19:37 GMT
After watching the birds this morning, No doubt in my mind our male IS helping clean the box! So the bird I thought was male is actually the male, This morning he come in and was bowing in the corner waiting for female to come in. She didn't come in straight away so he took a poo out and went then peacock who is roosting in the box came in and took out the second poo! Seconds later our original female whos been viewing the box since early December came in and took the final poo out. I watched all 3 birds together in the tree no fighting no nothing 2 females 1 male! I can't even keep up with the visits to the tree box this morning, Must be hitting 30 / 40 visits at this point. Still visiting now. Alot more activity in the box off peacock the roosting female this morning shes been in and out all morning!
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Post by matt on Feb 1, 2021 12:07:21 GMT
Awesome Paul, things are definitely hotting up! A few visits for me as well, both yesterday and this morning, although not quite as hectic as yours by the sound of it!
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Post by karenupnorth on Feb 1, 2021 12:20:06 GMT
He is a romeo Paul, will be exciting to see how things go with them. Lots of visits here too in the tree box, its a beautiful right sunny day
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