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Post by matt on May 5, 2021 15:55:07 GMT
My girl seems to be going to bed earlier and earlier! She's been in the box most of the afternoon, just resting on the cup. Is that normal?
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Post by Ann70 on May 5, 2021 17:09:56 GMT
Is that saying she won’t lay any more eggs Matt? I have no idea
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Post by matt on May 5, 2021 17:11:49 GMT
Don't think she is fully incubating yet, Ann, but she is spending a few hours in the afternoons on the nest - so perhaps she is? I have no idea either! She is in there now, and has been for a while. A few days back, she wasn't coming in until nearly 8pm.
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Post by Ann70 on May 5, 2021 17:15:31 GMT
We learn something new all the time, I will be interested what others think. Are your children and wife eagerly waiting for the hatching Matt
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Post by WildlifePaul on May 5, 2021 19:55:32 GMT
Just catching up with everything Matt, Not that active on my social media this year. Just started a new job busy at the moment! I just want to say how fucking pleased I am that you finally got a nest i know you said no bananas but I think this deserves it now she is into egg laying You more than anyone deserves a nest, I am so happy for you! I will try and keep more up to date with posts now
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Post by matt on May 5, 2021 22:22:24 GMT
Thanks Paul, although if it all goes tits up now we know who to blame!
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Post by Taz on May 6, 2021 8:40:56 GMT
Thanks Paul, although if it all goes tits up now we know who to blame! Haha, Paul can take it. Yes they do tend to start going in the nest earlier and longer. You'll probably get another couple of eggs I think though. 🤞
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Post by matt on May 6, 2021 10:18:50 GMT
She's spent a lot of time in the box this morning, Taz, just sitting in the cup. Perhaps she has started incubating? In which case, either not a lot of eggs or she started earlier than I guessed (I guessed 1 May, which would make 6 eggs - so maybe not that bad, actually).
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Post by Taz on May 6, 2021 10:24:56 GMT
Yes, Sandy did that, we ended up with at least another two. 🤞
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Post by matt on May 6, 2021 10:57:20 GMT
Eggs! At least, I am pretty sure - perhaps 3 of them just about visible? Maybe as she starts to incubate, they will become a bit more visible.
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Post by karenupnorth on May 6, 2021 11:29:05 GMT
What a lovely sight isnt it? I knew when Molly was incubating as Ron started feeding her a lot more in the nest box to save her from coming off the eggs.
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Post by matt on May 6, 2021 11:33:32 GMT
Speaking of which, Karen, Tony has been notably absent these last few days! I haven't seen him since he popped in for that bonk, actually. Typical man! I dare say he has gone off with one of the other 2 females I know to be nesting nearby. Let's hope she finds the mealworms (she hasn't yet).
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Post by matt on May 6, 2021 13:23:11 GMT
She's definitely incubating now. Have seen 2 clear eggs at once, but my guess is 6 so far (so maybe one more tomorrow?). She's pretty cosy in there, anyway!
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Post by suep on May 6, 2021 18:01:02 GMT
Such brilliant news and photos Matt. So very pleased for you. Hope Tony shows up soon - he has more to do with this than just bonking . Sue
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Post by petesbox on May 6, 2021 18:34:59 GMT
Great stuff, lovely image quality Matt.
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Post by sammi on May 6, 2021 20:07:15 GMT
Beautiful pic of that glorious sight. Sounds like Tony has another nest but hopefully he will split his time responsibly.
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Post by karenupnorth on May 7, 2021 7:27:54 GMT
Speaking of which, Karen, Tony has been notably absent these last few days! I haven't seen him since he popped in for that bonk, actually. Typical man! I dare say he has gone off with one of the other 2 females I know to be nesting nearby. Let's hope she finds the mealworms (she hasn't yet). I hope she finds them Matt just in case he buggers off like my Boulder did in 2018. Kate I dont think has seen them here either, although Hastings has and ironically his other women has also. So far Hastings has been quite attentive to Kate despite having another female hopefully it will carry on and I hope Tony does too.
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Post by YorksherLass on May 7, 2021 9:25:44 GMT
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Post by matt on May 7, 2021 10:07:07 GMT
Bluetits have found their way in to the mealworm feeder, both Tony and Angie (as she is now - Elvira went elsewhere!). At the moment I just have mealworms loose in there, to try and encourage them in. When they are more confident, I will put them in a small plastic container. Strangely, they seem more keen on the fat blocks for now, but have taken a few mealworms too. I ended up replacing the front plastic side with holes in, with a few bamboo kebab skewers to form a kind of grill. These are just stapled on, and seem to work OK for keeping starlings out (so far), and the bluetits are getting in OK. Fingers crossed, but I am feeling more positive about her using the mealworms when the time comes!
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Post by Ann70 on May 7, 2021 10:14:20 GMT
Hi Matt Success in them using it well done you I’m going to get my hubby to make something similar hopefully
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Post by matt on May 7, 2021 10:28:37 GMT
Hi Ann, Maybe go for the simple grill with bamboo sticks like I have done above - this seemed to be easier for them to use than the plastic with holes, and is also a bit easier to make! Maybe they would have worked out the plastic eventually, but this way is easier. The question is whether it keeps the starlings out, and so far it has (haven't really see them try yet, though). If the woodpecker comes back (haven't seen it for a while), then I would expect the grill to be gone within a minute or two!
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Post by matt on May 7, 2021 11:17:03 GMT
Well having said all that, Tony just popped in! Bit of a token offering - just a bit of fat from the feeder I think, but still nice to see.
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Post by hfriel on May 7, 2021 16:55:46 GMT
Well done Tony
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Post by elle on May 7, 2021 18:58:22 GMT
Brilliant news Matt, funny you should mention fat, my male is bringing fat offerings in to the female whilst she’s sat It’s a bit unusual for the bluetits Elle xx
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Post by hfriel on May 8, 2021 7:29:48 GMT
I think there is a shortage of insects around at the moment Elle, weather has been unseasonable cold, nests everything are all later. So fat from the fat balls is all there is on the menu also it keeps them warmer too
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