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Post by matt on May 11, 2022 17:30:49 GMT
After all the sad reports on here which chicks dying, I caved in and took devliery of 500g of mini meal worms today. Glad to say that after only a few hours, they have now found them and are bringing them in - even these minis are rather big for chicks of this size! Here's a higher res pic I snapped earlier where all nine can be seen at once:
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Post by starling78 on May 11, 2022 17:37:39 GMT
Excellent Matt fingers crossed they all do well for you, did your robin return to lay eggs?
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Post by matt on May 11, 2022 18:02:50 GMT
Excellent Matt fingers crossed they all do well for you, did your robin return to lay eggs? Nope, never saw her again!!
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Post by sammi on May 11, 2022 20:46:15 GMT
Lovely pic Matt. Such a clear image. I hope they all thrive. My mini mealworms arrived yesterday and are going down a treat. I like to put them out a couple of times a day for them just to help out. Our Robin I swear hears the door open and gets to the feeder ahead of me
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Post by karenupnorth on May 12, 2022 6:27:01 GMT
I get a tub of minis every year for them and waxworms for a special treat, I think the first nest I had has instilled this in me, with Chico being abandoned by Boulder she struggled so much to find enough food and lost 4 chicks, so I get it in, we humans are responsible for the lack of insects in the wild with our spraying and clearing land for building so I think they deserve a bit of help, but thats my personal thought on it. Your chicks are looking good Matt, they grow so quick!
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Post by matt on May 12, 2022 7:58:20 GMT
Same Karen - my first two nests the male didn't help at all, and I think meal worms were the difference last year when all 7 fledged. The time before only 5 of 11 did, but she never did find the mealworms I put out. They've definitely found the mealworms I put out yesterday, but interestingly they are only taking a few - still mostly natural food coming in, which is better IMO. It'll be the second and third weeks where she really needs to find food fast.
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Post by pete11 on May 12, 2022 11:44:47 GMT
Lovely pic Matt. Thinking about the food situation for the really early stages, it really looked to me as if my chicks struggled to cope with the enormous morsels being offered by the parents. It felt as if the parents couldn't quite master how to break up a massive caterpillar or bug into smaller bits. Mum would go from beak to beak trying to find a taker, and often early on seemed to end up eating it herself. Just another round of speculation on why I lost so many!
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Post by suep on May 12, 2022 13:57:34 GMT
Amazing picture again Matt, so hope they thrive as longing to see fledging photos from your box. Sue
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Post by matt on May 17, 2022 13:44:28 GMT
Not much to report here: all nine are still with us and growing well, and both mum and dad are taking plenty of mealworms. Here's a pic from yesterday below. Also today a sparrow has started showing a lot of interest in the starling box, which still has material in it from the attempt by a male starling to lure in a female (no joy). Be interesting to see if anything develops - seems a little late, but I'd guess second brood if they do go for it. The live stream is here:
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Post by Ann70 on May 22, 2022 6:23:51 GMT
Hi Matt How’s things in your camp have you had a quiet season
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Post by matt on May 22, 2022 20:58:40 GMT
All nine of mine are still doing very well Ann, and the livestream is up (daylight only) so give the link a couple of posts above a click if you want to see them. They'll be two weeks old tomorrow. An average season for me I guess - one nest. I came very close to a few more (sparrow/starling/robin) but not this year! (the robin even built a full nest before deciding against it..)
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Post by karenupnorth on May 23, 2022 20:58:29 GMT
All looking good Matt, all will fledge ok I hope. My 8 are doing good too, due to fledge a day after yours I think.
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Post by matt on May 24, 2022 7:44:10 GMT
Thanks Karen, yes they are looking great! I guess they will be off within the week, both parents are still happily on the meal worms but also bringing in the odd natural bit of food as well which is good. I must try and get some photos of the chicks looking through the 3 holes in this box - I don't think it will be too long before they are bouncing around inside the box now!
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Post by suep on May 24, 2022 8:02:54 GMT
All looking really good Matt, I am so enjoying the live cam, and I so hope you do manage to capture photos of them in the three holes of your fantastic box . Sue
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Post by pete11 on May 24, 2022 8:18:37 GMT
A very healthy looking brood - those mealworms clearly playing a crucial part. Good luck for the next week!
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Post by matt on May 24, 2022 8:37:42 GMT
All looking really good Matt, I am so enjoying the live cam, and I so hope you do manage to capture photos of them in the three holes of your fantastic box . Sue That's the shot I really want Sue, although I think it might entail lying on top of my neighbours garden office roof to achieve it - I'm sure he won't mind!
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Post by matt on May 24, 2022 10:33:30 GMT
It's getting quite cosy in there!
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Post by pete11 on May 24, 2022 12:09:18 GMT
lovely pic! At least it's nice and warm for them!
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Post by matt on May 24, 2022 14:09:21 GMT
Here's another pic where all nine are clearly visible. Won't be too long now I guess - maybe 5-6 days?
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Post by Ann70 on May 24, 2022 14:25:02 GMT
Looking great Matt, mum and dad have shared the food out well they all pretty much look the same size and it good condition.😊
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Post by Taz on May 24, 2022 15:47:08 GMT
They all look really healthy
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Post by sammi on May 24, 2022 20:48:23 GMT
They look so snug in there. I think my 9 have a couple of days to go or at least some of them. Will be closely following your 9
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Post by matt on May 26, 2022 8:22:27 GMT
Managed to get a pic with all nine clearly visible - which hasn't been easy I have to say!
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Post by suep on May 26, 2022 9:51:30 GMT
Beautiful picture Matt , they are adorable. Sue
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Post by karenupnorth on May 26, 2022 10:03:00 GMT
What beauties, hope they fly high and free and keep safe.
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