|
Post by starling78 on Mar 25, 2021 18:52:33 GMT
Hello all! New member here I've loved seeing all your bird boxes and nests so though I would share one of mine with you seeing as we have no starling nests here at the minute I've got various boxes up and 3 have cameras but this is the only one in use at present and luckily it does have a camera! it was put up just recently and has already been claimed as of this morning and so far the male has been adding bits and pieces to it trying to entice a female in, the video is when he first discovered the box and started to bring in some material drive.google.com/file/d/19uEAcWBQlyPUIO3BswNYohk1xs8rWxlP/view?usp=sharing
|
|
|
Post by petesbox on Mar 25, 2021 19:04:46 GMT
Welcome aboard 78 looks like its gonna be a good watch, what other birds are you catering for nest box wise?
|
|
|
Post by WildlifePaul on Mar 25, 2021 19:06:33 GMT
Welcome to the forum, Looks promising! Be nice to watch a starling nest again, Haven't had one on here in a while. Keep us updated.
|
|
|
Post by starling78 on Mar 25, 2021 21:48:51 GMT
Thank you both! I have tit boxes and robin boxes but no takers on any of those as of yet but all 3 of my starling boxes are taken, I think it is because we have a high number of starlings here in Kent and a lack of nesting spaces with people blocking up their eves and not providing boxes for them.
|
|
|
Post by matt on Mar 25, 2021 22:18:29 GMT
Brilliant! And welcome to the forum! I've got a couple of boxes up for starlings this year (first time), but no takers yet. Plenty of looks, though, and I had kind of given up since I saw a few starlings last week flying around with nesting material. Interesting to hear yours only just got going, and down South like we are as well. Please do keep us update don your nest, as I don't believe we've ever had a starling nest on here.
|
|
|
Post by WildlifePaul on Mar 26, 2021 1:30:58 GMT
We had them yearly on the old forum from Ben Matt, I think it was before you joined though in all fairness. Always had two broods a year from Ben, We haven't had them on this new forum though in the last 3 years so be nice to see it again since my starling box is never going to get a nest probably! Think Kathy's been the closest to get a starling nest in recent years with strong activity Good luck with your starling boxes i'll be following them with interest! Still abit of time to have some luck with the blue tit / great tit box
|
|
|
Post by matt on Mar 26, 2021 12:18:43 GMT
I'd be interested to see how your starling boxes are located (outside pic if poss!), and also more details on the boxes themselves (internal dimensions, hole size) if you don't mind. I've got loads of starlings around, and even had them nesting in our eaves over the years, but not managed (yet) to get one into the two boxes I put up this year. Lots of inspections through the hole, but none have actually gone completely inside.
|
|
|
Post by starling78 on Mar 26, 2021 13:12:54 GMT
This is the nest as of this morning and there is definitely two coming and going now The first nest box I have was purchased from Leeway woodwork around 3 years or so ago and is placed at the front of the house just under the eaves facing west as when we first moved in there was an active starling nest in the corner under the eaves that we later got fixed so I put the box here, whilst I have seen plenty of activity to and from the box the past few years I never heard any young so assume the nests weren't successful though they are back again this year. The other two boxes are from Amazon here www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0015RRKP0/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1One is in a bay tree around 2.5m high facing east and the other is on the back of the house just under the eaves also facing east will get pics up shortly
|
|
|
Post by matt on Mar 26, 2021 13:19:30 GMT
Thanks for the link - I think they do like it under the eaves! Funnily enough one of my starling boxes is also placed under the eaves on the west of my house, right next to a hole that the starlings nested in last year! (since plugged up).
|
|
|
Post by starling78 on Mar 26, 2021 13:20:54 GMT
|
|
|
Post by starling78 on Mar 26, 2021 13:27:25 GMT
Here are the two boxes at the back of the house
|
|
|
Post by matt on Mar 26, 2021 14:43:57 GMT
Thanks!
|
|
|
Post by YorksherLass on Mar 26, 2021 14:58:56 GMT
to the forum! Thanks very much for the lovely clear clip of the starling in your box and the photos of where your other boxes are - I haven't seen a starling for years now in our garden. It's great that you have 3 lots of them interested in your boxes & super for us all to watch their progress thanks to you. Many have been unlucky this year in not getting the birds they had in previous years, so starlings nests will be greatly appreciated.
|
|
|
Post by starling78 on Mar 26, 2021 17:38:37 GMT
Thank you! I'm so glad I can share this with you all, it will be my first starling nest I will be able to watch too if all goes well with it my camera for the box is rather basic and has no light so fingers crossed we get more sun so that I can send better pics! Really appreciate you all posting your boxes and being able to follow those nests too
|
|
|
Post by starling78 on Mar 27, 2021 20:29:35 GMT
Some progress with the nest today strangely this morning I heard what sounded like young starlings calling from the nest box at the front of the house!? I'm thinking it's still a bit early for this? my other thought was that the adults were fighting in the box, definitely something going on but I couldn't hang around as was on the way to work
|
|
|
Post by starling78 on Mar 30, 2021 12:50:24 GMT
The nest is coming along nicely today i.postimg.cc/dQGM8hhh/Camera.jpgI found out the noise I heard that sounded like young starlings is actually made when starlings fight as saw a pair fighting on my roof the other day making the exact same noise! I don't think 3 nest boxes is enough!
|
|
|
Post by starling78 on Apr 4, 2021 19:59:35 GMT
|
|
|
Post by YorksherLass on Apr 5, 2021 10:20:08 GMT
It looks like you're still the only one here who has a starling nest. Thanks for the update re the nest being nearly finished, I look forward to the day when you tell us how many eggs are laid.
|
|
|
Post by starling78 on Apr 5, 2021 13:01:38 GMT
Will do! just wanted to add a little vid of the female arranging the nest this morning
|
|
|
Post by starling78 on Apr 6, 2021 12:04:38 GMT
We have an egg! she laid it this morning but was very reluctant to move off the nest and kept shoving the male out who was eager to see too Sorry the photo is a bit dark as there is no lighting in this box so you might have to adjust the brightness to see it
|
|
|
Post by petesbox on Apr 6, 2021 13:10:47 GMT
Great stuff 78.
|
|
|
Post by sammi on Apr 6, 2021 13:24:11 GMT
lovely....it's all happening
|
|
|
Post by YorksherLass on Apr 6, 2021 14:44:20 GMT
Hurray! Now the fun starts to see how many eggs she will lay
|
|
|
Post by starling78 on Apr 11, 2021 8:28:04 GMT
Ok final egg count looks to be 5! I took a pic this morning but there is a stubborn piece of grass in the way! hopefully you can just make out 5 eggs
|
|
|
Post by starling78 on Apr 13, 2021 10:47:59 GMT
Just a quick vid I took today showing the 5 eggs more clearly and the adult returning, I estimate they should begin hatching around the 24th April or so so will keep you all posted on here when they do Not quite sure what is going on with the tree box as found a smashed egg below it box still intact and adults still in attendance so can only think the egg was thrown out for some reason.
|
|