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Post by Ann70 on May 2, 2021 19:23:26 GMT
Thatβs rather good Matt is it purpose size for small birds only
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Post by matt on May 2, 2021 19:28:28 GMT
Just to try and keep the starlings out, Ann. They are bad enough on the fat block (but I let them), but the times I have put mealworms out unprotected in the past, starlings have descended en masse and taken the lot within seconds.
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Post by Taz on May 2, 2021 22:54:39 GMT
That mealworm feeder looks great matt. what size are those holes. We've got a pair of sparrows that are guzzling our mealworms, so trying to stop them π€
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Post by matt on May 3, 2021 6:40:31 GMT
About 28-32 mm Taz - they are not all quite the same size! I used one of the stepped hole drilling bits, so you can make a range of sizes with one bit. I haven't seen anything get inside yet, hopefully they work it out. Filling it with mealworms might give them a bit more impetus!
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Post by karenupnorth on May 3, 2021 7:39:34 GMT
I watched that bit of feed back Matt when had the feathers stuck to her feet and I think what I saw was a piece of fluff tucked away deep but for a moment looked like an egg. The feeder should do the job Matt, nice and clear for them to see the food and plenty of entrances and exits. Mine is made from a tea light holder, basically a wire cage but I have had to add chicken wire to reduce the hole size to prevent Starlings, Sparrows get in but thats ok, Hastings has used it as has the other female but I dont think Kate has yet.
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Post by suep on May 3, 2021 8:55:56 GMT
That look a brilliant feeder Matt, you are so clever . Any yellow bendy things allowed yet? Any sighting of eggs? Sue
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Post by matt on May 3, 2021 11:09:26 GMT
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Post by karenupnorth on May 3, 2021 11:23:06 GMT
Omg well that wasnt Tony! egg number 4 all sorted!
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Post by elle on May 3, 2021 11:48:29 GMT
Omg What happened there Matt?? Last I saw, Tony was just being a good estate agent! Now I come on to catch up and Iv missed the whole nest build and now your onto eggs. Brilliant news Matt, you so deserve a nest, good luck with it Matt Elle xx
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Post by Taz on May 3, 2021 12:11:59 GMT
About 28-32 mm Taz - they are not all quite the same size! I used one of the stepped hole drilling bits, so you can make a range of sizes with one bit. I haven't seen anything get inside yet, hopefully they work it out. Filling it with mealworms might give them a bit more impetus! Thanks matt, that's useful to know. Hopefully they'll be feasting before you know it π€
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Post by matt on May 3, 2021 12:38:56 GMT
Omg well that wasnt Tony! egg number 4 all sorted! You got me going there, Karen! I think it is Tony, though - here's a still from the video, just pre-bonk: As far as females go, and I am now nearly 100% certain that the bird that started the nest is no longer, and the winner of the fight took over. It might be that there is yet another female who started the original nest, and was also chased away, which would mean that 3 females in total were interested in the box. I *think* I have made a positive ID on the second female (chased off), who was gathering dog fluff yesterday and flying off to the front of the house. Another female has been collecting fur and flying off to the back. So perhaps we have more chances than we think, even if the males themselves are quite territorial? Elle - no certainty on the eggs yet, but it seems likely. Hard to see anything with the sideview box and deep cup on the far side, but going off behaviour it is possible that has laid 3 so far. Judging by this morning's activity in the box, I think we can expect one tomorrow as well
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Post by karenupnorth on May 3, 2021 12:55:03 GMT
Ah I didnt see the scar it was so quick yes definitely Tony Matt.
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Post by Ann70 on May 3, 2021 13:33:32 GMT
Well itβs all happening there for you Matt, good video and you can be certain of an egg tomorrow after them displaying the bonking. Think this nest will be the one most watched on here Congratulations for you Matt
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Post by petesbox on May 3, 2021 16:13:52 GMT
Really pleased you got a nest Matt, how many eggs will it be i wonder! Great vids Matt keep em coming.
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Post by Ann70 on May 3, 2021 18:38:45 GMT
When can we go bananas πMatt
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Post by suep on May 3, 2021 19:01:44 GMT
Well, that was really something to behold . We certainly get drama, mystery, heartbreak, and sex watching these birds- better than tv anytime . i reckon those bananas are due out any time now. Sue
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Post by matt on May 4, 2021 8:42:47 GMT
When can we go bananas πMatt Might keep this thread banana free, Ann - seems to be going better that way I'm quite a keen angler, and for years we were always told that bringing bananas onto a boat was bad luck, so maybe it's the same here? Or only for fishermen on here, at least! Maybe party balloons would be allowed? Not sure what happened this morning in the box since the stream went down over night, and she'd left by the time I got up and restarted it. I can only guess somewhere between 1-4 eggs maybe?
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Post by suep on May 4, 2021 9:45:29 GMT
Banana free it will be then Matt - donβt want to Jinx anything for you. I had heard that about taking bananas on a boat - it was whilst we were on a boat on a whale watching expedition so we hid our bananas immediately. However, it was reported in the papers that only one week after we were on that boat it actually sunk (honestly), just hope it was nothing to do with us taking bananas on board because we genuinely didnβt know about that at the time. Luckily there were no fatalities that we know of, but I will never take bananas on a boat again Sue
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Post by Ann70 on May 4, 2021 13:53:54 GMT
Matt πππππππππππππππππππππ πππππππππππππππππππππballoons it will be
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Post by matt on May 4, 2021 14:01:44 GMT
Thanks Ann, you know it makes sense - kind of!
Sue, you were lucky not to be thrown overboard! I'm quite sure any ensuing events were not your fault though.
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Post by Ann70 on May 4, 2021 19:30:29 GMT
Hi Matt Iβve just shown my hubby the picture of your bird feeding box and asked if he could make me one βYes β he said He will have a closer look at it and have a think how to put one together I sure get fed up of starlings I have caged feeders, I like to think the robins get the food I put out for them
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Post by karenupnorth on May 5, 2021 5:59:08 GMT
Matt I just saw the last clip on your feed before going off and she is tucked so cosily in her nest with her feathers around her. Such a lovely sight to see.
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Post by matt on May 5, 2021 6:32:02 GMT
THanks Karen - she does look pretty comfy in there! I notice she seems to be going to bed earlier and earlier, and also coming in for a nap in the afternoons sometimes as well! Still no sight of an egg, and once again the stream stopped working overnight so I can't rewind and see what happened this morning..
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Post by matt on May 5, 2021 6:42:29 GMT
Hi Matt Iβve just shown my hubby the picture of your bird feeding box and asked if he could make me one βYes β he said He will have a closer look at it and have a think how to put one together I sure get fed up of starlings I have caged feeders, I like to think the robins get the food I put out for them Ann, I suggest you hold fire until the birds work out how to use it! At the moment I have bits of fat block in there, but as far as I know no bird has managed to make it inside yet - it has been up 2 days or so. When the mealworms arrive, I will put those in and see if the birds can work out how to get in. If not, I might take one side off and replace with a wire mesh of some sort. I'll keep you posted..
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Post by karenupnorth on May 5, 2021 6:55:45 GMT
THanks Karen - she does look pretty comfy in there! I notice she seems to be going to bed earlier and earlier, and also coming in for a nap in the afternoons sometimes as well! Still no sight of an egg, and once again the stream stopped working overnight so I can't rewind and see what happened this morning.. Awe so frustrating isnt it. Her cup looks very deep too!
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