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Post by springtime 66 on Mar 9, 2021 13:56:52 GMT
Brilliant news Matt
Good to see them together, gives you hope they will continue to come
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Post by matt on Mar 9, 2021 13:59:48 GMT
Let's hope so Ann. I just want them to get on with it! Stormy and wet weather coming, though, so I doubt there'd be much happening over the next few days even at the best of times.
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Post by sammi on Mar 9, 2021 14:13:57 GMT
 Great news Matt. Everything possible is crossed for you this year 
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Post by springtime 66 on Mar 9, 2021 14:16:26 GMT
Yes I just want them to get on with it as well, two days of stormy weather, so no action from the birds
Let’s just hope we both end up with a nest and for it to be in my camera box
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Post by karenupnorth on Mar 9, 2021 14:31:20 GMT
Really glad your pair are still checking in Matt. Just a matter of time I think |
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Post by petesbox on Mar 9, 2021 14:49:15 GMT
Could be promising Matt.
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Post by WildlifePaul on Mar 9, 2021 16:50:58 GMT
Glad they are still shocking interest Matt  |
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Post by springtime 66 on Mar 10, 2021 16:27:12 GMT
Have you survived the miserable weather today and nothing happening, tomorrow it’s meant to be dry here so hoping to have some activity
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Post by matt on Mar 10, 2021 16:32:37 GMT
Nothing happening here today Ann. Windy, but not as wet as forecast for us. Tomorrow, more of the same. I sometimes think the wind puts them off more than the rain, but then they sometimes surprise us as well!
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Post by petesbox on Mar 11, 2021 14:21:32 GMT
Here's three photos of were the nest box is sited, its right outside my garden door, hope this helps. Post a photo of were your box is sited Matt and i'll give you my two pennys worth if you want.    |
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Post by matt on Mar 11, 2021 15:02:54 GMT
Mine's also in a jasmine, Pete, but perhaps not quite as high up as yours, and not quite as bushy:    This box was very much an afterthought this season (although I did put it in quite some time ago). I just used an old BT box, and cut a largeish hole for the opening (so not truly open fronted, but then robins nest in teapots and all sorts, so big enough I reckon). Issues I can think of are that the box faces forwards, so could be rather exposed - south facing fence, bit of wind and a lot of light. We do have a resident robin in the garden, so I have found it a bit strange that it hasn't even popped in once, or at least the motion detector hasn't been triggered. A great tit has been in many times, and a blue tit even popped in once. This jasmine is only 2 years old, but I found 2 nests in there when I placed the box at the end of last year, which must have been from last season. Quite small nests, but I couldn't say what built them with any confidence. |
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Post by petesbox on Mar 11, 2021 15:48:36 GMT
Looks a good spot to me Matt, mine is about 5 - 6 ft up, if you don't get cats in your garden that height will be fine if you do i would raise it to the height i've got mine.
What you could do is cut away some of the smaller branches or leaves just so the entrance is a little more exposed, just around were the entrance hole is like making a small tunnel (for want of a better word).
My guessing is if they can see the hole from a bit more of a distance you might have some luck.
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Post by matt on Mar 12, 2021 9:00:47 GMT
Thanks Pete, something to think about for next year. What direction is your opening facing?
Good news on the visits today: after a full week away, both the sparrows and starlings have made a return! One male sparrow just spent nearly 5 minutes sitting in one of the starling boxes, which has to be a new record. He wasn't really doing much in there, but seemed pretty comfortable. My guess is that they all thought it was spring two weeks ago, and then thought better of it after 3x heavy frosts in a row. Still a bit blustery here, but much warmer than it was. Just need Tony to check in now.
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Post by springtime 66 on Mar 12, 2021 9:56:33 GMT
Brilliant Matt
After two wet and windy days it’s a touch brighter still windy
I’m really hoping I will see action today after a long pause it will lift my spirits big time
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Post by matt on Mar 12, 2021 10:45:30 GMT
Thanks Ann. We just had a big rain squall go through and it has gotten windier again, so all quite once more around the boxes. Good to see that interest remains, though - it had been a full week since a sparrow or starling had a look, but next week's weather looks much more like it.
Any interest with you?
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Post by springtime 66 on Mar 12, 2021 10:53:36 GMT
Nothing, the pr blue tits are regular to the feeders so.hopefully they will get around to house hunting again.
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Post by petesbox on Mar 12, 2021 11:48:40 GMT
My box is facing north Matt and is in the shade all year round but you've got quite a dense bush there so it'll probably be ok.
Is that a shed in one of your pics? i notice the roof overhangs quite a lot you could always try a robin box under that right up against the overhanging roof, just a thought.
Glad your getting more activity.
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Post by matt on Mar 12, 2021 12:15:05 GMT
Its a big shed/cabin type thing, Pete. I have had a bluetit box just behind it, which got visits but no nest (the robin box now is the same box, modified), and my main bluetit box (getting visits this year) is on the other end of that shed underneath the overhang at the top. I could try an open fronted tucked in around the back, perhaps, which would be very sheletered - good idea! I was under the impression a bit that robins like to be in bushes, but now you mention it I have seen pics of robins' nests in all sorts of places - especially inside sheds (e.g. old bike helmets and the like).
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Post by petesbox on Mar 12, 2021 12:42:36 GMT
Might be worth a go, i think a overhang that big would give them a good sense of security cos they be seen from above from the likes of sparrowhawks.
Maybe make your own open fronted box that follows the apex of the roof so you can get it nice and tight against it, just another thought once i get going thats it.
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Post by matt on Mar 12, 2021 13:38:53 GMT
Good idea Pete - I had thought of building something similar for the house, for the starlings/sparrows, with a roof that tucks precisely underneath the eaves. The birds in general do seem to really like those kinds of nooks and crannies, and it obviously gives good protection from most sides etc. I've seen sparrows in the past flying along the eaves overhang, almost as if they were looking for any hidden openings. Could imagine a "sparrow street" type setup tucked into the house eaves as well (not necessarily too high - we are a bungalow). Hoping for at least one nest this year in the meantime to keep the motivation up  |
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Post by petesbox on Mar 12, 2021 14:04:51 GMT
If your getting activity Matt it can only be a good thing, i know what you mean about motivation i whent years without any takers so i started moving boxes to different spots, my GT/BT box has been
in the same place for a few years now and they seem to like it there.
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Post by WildlifePaul on Mar 12, 2021 20:27:51 GMT
Glad your sparrow and starling are back Matt!
I think all activity will pick up next week weather looks alot better.
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Post by karenupnorth on Mar 14, 2021 14:13:38 GMT
Hows things Matt? Tony and Elvira been about?
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Post by matt on Mar 14, 2021 17:42:59 GMT
Hows things Matt? Tony and Elvira been about? Tony popped in a couple of times this morning, Karen, but I didn't see Elvira - she could have been hanging around outside, though. The sparrow was singing away from one of the boxes as well for a few minutes, but he doesn't seem to be having that much luck with the ladies yet! |
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Post by karenupnorth on Mar 14, 2021 17:48:39 GMT
Bless that little Sparrow, 10/10 for trying  I hope he manages to get one and uses his favourite box. Glad Tony is still about. |
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Great news Matt. Everything possible is crossed for you this year 
I hope he manages to get one and uses his favourite box. Glad Tony is still about.