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Post by elle on Apr 17, 2019 20:10:57 GMT
OMG Paul, This is so weird that Tatty has only laid the 2 eggs! I think I’m in the same situation, I was 99% sure I’d seen eggs in poppys’ nest, bare in mind, my females have only ever slept in after egg laying, but she’s shown same behaviour as Tatty. Today should be egg no. 9, but there is no way there is 9 eggs in there, unless she’s the best ‘hide & seeker’!!! I give up trying to guess. I admit Paul, if I had easy access to the box I would be following you by having a sneaky peek! but I haven’t so will just have to wait & see Elle xx
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Post by suep on Apr 17, 2019 20:21:41 GMT
Oh Paul, that made me laugh that you had to have a peek. Unlike Elle, my box is at a level that I could have a peek but i’m too scared i’ll frighten them off so like Ann i’ll Just wait and see. Sue
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Post by WildlifePaul on Apr 17, 2019 20:29:56 GMT
Tell me about it Elle! Tatty's hardly added material since I'd say 5th April, Visits to box was about 3 times a day if that then of course roost in the night. Today I was like this bird can't have over 12 eggs and still not incubating so off I went to climb the shed to get to the tree! She's all snug for the night so atleast I know egg 3 will be tomorrow now no more guessing! Sue, I needed to do it, I couldn't take the being sneaky and guessing games any longer! I mean its happening in a camera box come on, The least she could do is bloody show me!
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Post by hfriel on Apr 17, 2019 20:32:16 GMT
Great news Paul all round You are very brave though, I wouldn’t have the nerve to open the box at this stage.
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Post by elle on Apr 17, 2019 20:40:00 GMT
Everything you describe about Tatty, is mine to a ‘T’!!! Well this is definitely a 1st for me Paul, very strange Elle xx
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Post by Ann70 on Apr 18, 2019 11:29:12 GMT
Paul the frustration got to me and i have opened the lid no eggs but one neat nest, i now think this is abandon as ive seen no visits since start of the day
Sue i had to give in waiting was too much to bear, now all i can do is wait for next season
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Post by WildlifePaul on Apr 18, 2019 12:03:17 GMT
Ann, She might just be staying away until she is ready to lay, Don't give up yet! Its been very quite around my box for 2 weeks now but she is laying. Update on the sparrows for everyone, She as started incubating this morning after laying the final egg.Video and pictures below.
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Post by Ann70 on Apr 18, 2019 12:26:52 GMT
thanks Paul, i will take some hope from what you have told me and play along with waiting game fantastic pictures of your sparrow
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Post by blueeyedchick on Apr 18, 2019 15:19:47 GMT
Nice pictures of Spuggie eggs Paul. You are doing well where are we with the BT purple box I'm finding it hard to catch up at the moment. Flo & Andi have been in the box today according to my recorder and it's looks like Flo was showing him that their 'rumpy pumpy' yesterday has born fruit so to speak. Today she has been away most of the afternoon I think (no recordings) after 11.00am so another egg tomorrow perhaps? Going to get myself a nice cuppa now and then start cooking or might go up the pub I deserve it!
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Post by WildlifePaul on Apr 18, 2019 17:58:04 GMT
3 eggs in the purple box today Kathy, Had 2 in yesterday, Had to climb up and unscrew the box and feel about in the cup because I couldn't be doing with the waiting no more! Tatty is only visiting a handful of times a day now and roosting of a night, I hate the egg laying part / sitting on the eggs its most boring part of it all! Hurry up the chick stage I say!
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Post by elle on Apr 18, 2019 20:39:10 GMT
Awww loving these sparrows and videos Paul Glad Tattys definitely moving now, I like the guessing of how many they’ll have Elle xx
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Post by suep on Apr 18, 2019 22:36:39 GMT
Sue, I needed to do it, I couldn't take the being sneaky and guessing games any longer! I mean its happening in a camera box come on, The least she could do is bloody show me! Oh Paul, you crack me up - at least you are totally honest about it . Lovely sparrow updates yahoo_clap Ann, I am very surprised at you , (wish I was as brave to be honest ). Don’t give up hope, this weekend may still produce the hormones needed to start laying, especially with it being Easter and eggs everywhere .
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Post by Ann70 on Apr 19, 2019 18:26:05 GMT
Well Paul, ive sat and watched from 6.50pm until 7.15pm this evening at about 6 45 one flew out it took me by surprise as i didn't think she was in there, didn't see her return unless the second i turned my back she returned
saturday morning martha is still going to the box, ive not seen Mr bt for a few days, still its good news its still on going
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Post by WildlifePaul on Apr 20, 2019 12:05:21 GMT
Wasn't expecting this today, I placed an open front box under the decking area by the big pond in the garden maybe 5 years ago now, Cheap black and white camera in there and just left it. This morning while doing the pond I noticed moss under the box so took a peek inside and it was full of moss, I went in grabbed some cables so I could view the camera didn't take long for the bird to come back, Its a little wren, I know they build dome nests so camera in box is useless its black and white anyway so can't say I am to bothered. If the nest is successful I will put a camera facing the box so able to see the chicks etc and watch the wrens coming and goings, Be good if the female uses the nest but as you know wrens do build up to 7 nests to give the female choice. Been an incredible year for nests around the garden this year, Blackbird, woodpigeon, collared dove, gold finch, wren and of course the blue tits and sparrows. Some pictures below, Also Tatty exposed 4 eggs today (is 5 in there but 4 on show at the moment she did a nest wriggle and exposed them) Wren box
Tatty's eggs well 4 of 5
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Post by petesbox on Apr 20, 2019 12:23:31 GMT
Look forward to more updates on the wren Paul, it'll be a great one to follow if it happens.
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Post by Ann70 on Apr 20, 2019 12:39:52 GMT
oh wow Paul, you have so much happening around your garden, it would be wonderful to see if the wren chooses your box, quite a few years ago now, i had a wren nest in an previous bluetit box i had it on camera it was so close to being finished , then the wren and bluetit had a midair fight that was the end of the nest. last year i put a box up on the side of the shed didn't expect it to be used, then i was able to watch the wren build a nest, but Mrs Wren didn't choose that one. a few weeks ago i saw the wren back , a few bits of moss in the box ,but abandon now.
Next year im just going to leave my side view camera box up and see if it gets used, i will miss my log boxes but its worth a try.
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Post by WildlifePaul on Apr 20, 2019 12:50:35 GMT
Pete, Would be brilliant if he happens, However I won't get my hopes up until I see signs of the female lining the nest with feathers. Ann, Yes alot going on around the garden this year, Shame I can't get more cameras over the nests, If I could I would! You should move the side box to same place the log box is for next year, Seems to be an area they like nesting for you Ann.
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Post by suep on Apr 20, 2019 13:57:56 GMT
Paul, fantastic stuff. You really are our ‘bird whisperer’ , they obviously love your garden and you. Shame the rest of us can’t have a share of whatever it is you have Sue
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Post by blueeyedchick on Apr 20, 2019 14:29:51 GMT
Paul, Hope something happens here for you lovely little birds aren't they? Haven't seen one don't think this season but I'm sure they are about. Seem to be devoid of birds this year wonder why one year like you and then next hardly any.
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Post by Ann70 on Apr 20, 2019 14:39:09 GMT
i quite agree Sue,
Paul yes i now realise that's what i should of done, oh well we learn from trail and error.better luck next year, unless im still lucky enoughto get something this year from a second brood, now that would be amazing.
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Post by sammi on Apr 20, 2019 16:06:14 GMT
Glad things are going well for your Sparrow and BT nest. A wren too? Wouldn't that be glorious I once had one nest in one of those woven roosting pouches. Long time ago now.
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Post by WildlifePaul on Apr 20, 2019 16:46:41 GMT
Oh Sue, That did make me laugh hahaha bird whisperer Kathy, To be honest with you that is how it is for my blue tits this year, I have only seen a couple knocking about. Normally have pretty healthy numbers here but not this year. Ann, You can only learn from these things for the following spring, However you do have a nest and I am sure watching them come and go feeding babies over the coming weeks will make you just as happy! Sammi, I have seen wrens nesting in them little roost pouches a few times to be honest, I must get some and place them inside my conifers and ivy etc. Now that I know I have wren knocking about and building be nice to supply him with more options.
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Post by hfriel on Apr 20, 2019 17:44:35 GMT
How do you find all the birds in your garden Paul? I have loads of them coming to the feeders in pairs and then they fly away so fast I cant see where they’re going....I know the wood pigeons and collared doves are nesting high up in the conifers, but have no way of getting up there to see their nests.
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Post by WildlifePaul on Apr 20, 2019 18:44:44 GMT
Helen, As I said my garden isn't exactly big, I can see all the bushes and trees from the window, Its a case of just seeing the birds nest build 90% of the time. During spring I do check the ivy and bushes throughout March / April anyway for little robins or blackbirds. This open front box is underneath the shelter above my pond filters, I check the koi pond everyday to feed them etc, I just happened to notice moss on the decking right under the box that must of been dropped. So it would of always been easy to find for me. I am more aware of the birds in the garden over spring though, I like to know what is nesting where because I do have cats, So when letting the cats out for a hour or 2 its easier to keep watch making sure they don't go near certain places so if any nests in the garden, I find them!
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Post by YorksherLass on Apr 21, 2019 9:42:59 GMT
I love your piccies of the open box & the little wren, we have a couple who visit our pond for a drink. I didn't know you had a pond at all! If you get time, would you put a piccie on of it please? My ex has a big pond for his koi - but when he finds frog spawn in it - he dumps it! (The icon is what he should be doing to himself.)
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