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Post by matt on Jan 18, 2023 10:19:00 GMT
Hi all and happy new year!
My boxes are unchanged since last year - in fact I plan to remove a couple I think, so I'll "just" have 1 x bluetit, 1 x starling and 1 x robin (last two rather optimistic but soo close last year!).
A quick question: I didn't get around to clearing out the tit box from last year, so there is still a nest in there. It is in an awkward position, and not easy to empty (concrete box, access through top only). I'm getting regular double visits already now to this box. Just leave it or try and clean it out, what do we think?
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Post by Ann70 on Jan 18, 2023 13:40:19 GMT
Hi Matt happy new year Iโm no expert, I know they can remove old nests themselves Iโd say try and clean due to any parasites lingering so it doesnโt pass on to new chicks You are probably aware of this but it was good to see a post on here to read ๐ blue tits busy checking out the boxes even in these cold days ๐
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Post by karenupnorth on Jan 20, 2023 8:03:59 GMT
Hi Matt. Great news on the double visits! I would agree with springtime66 in cleaning the box if you can, but I know the nest box I put up at work I didnt get round to cleaning one year and it went on to be used successfully so it doesnt put them off I dont think. Hope you have a good season
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Post by matt on Mar 16, 2023 13:55:41 GMT
OK so much overdue update on my boxes!! I have just got back from 2 1/2 weeks in Aus, and hadn't had the video on whilst I was away so no real idea what has been going on. I still have 6x boxes despite the fact that I said earlier in this post that I would be removing some. Headlines are that in one of the 3 hole concrete there has evidently been some roosting going on, poo now cleaned up and a small amount of material brought in. These birds are still coming in throughout the day, adding/removing a bit of material occasionally but no serious building yet. This is very much like how last year's nest started (small amount of material for weeks before proper nest building): The sideview box also has evidence of roosting, but much less clearing out. Having said that, it was dirtier a couple of days ago, and I did catch a bird removing some poo early this morning on the live view (not recorded). Not sure if this is same bird as other box? other than that, getting visits to the second 3-hole concrete box, and occasional visits (from bluetits only) to the starling/sparrow box. Not much sign of sparrows or starlings at all yet so far this season. All in all, promising - on the blue tit front at least.
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Post by pete11 on Mar 16, 2023 17:36:46 GMT
Looking promising! Fingers crossed for you Matt!
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Post by suep on Mar 16, 2023 18:20:24 GMT
All looking good for you Matt ๐๐ป Sue
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Post by matt on Mar 17, 2023 9:43:33 GMT
Quite a bit of poo clenaing this morning in the side-view box, not sure whether this is the same bird that is roosting/cleaning out the 3-hole concrete box? Here she is resting after a bit of cleaning:
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Post by matt on Mar 17, 2023 12:14:43 GMT
More poo patrol. She's really stepped this up today, working in bursts of about 5-10 minutes.
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Post by WildlifePaul on Mar 17, 2023 22:44:23 GMT
She is 100% on a mission Matt, She wouldn't be wasting her energy cleaning that box for nothing!
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Post by pete11 on Mar 18, 2023 16:24:43 GMT
More poo patrol. She's really stepped this up today, working in bursts of about 5-10 minutes. Last year the BT pair that nested in my tree box did a similar thing - there was a lot to clean up after a winter roosting GT and they went on a real mission. Fascinating behaviour, and not something I was aware happened until I saw it on camera! I'm sure like Paul says this indicates they've pretty much chosen the box - unless any other takers muscle in or something bad happens like predation or whatever, it's looking very very promising I'd say.
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benn
Senior Member
Posts: 137
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Post by benn on Mar 18, 2023 17:03:34 GMT
Paul is right Matt, barring a disaster its game on!
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Post by matt on Mar 19, 2023 16:40:42 GMT
Not sure if same bird or not, but a bit more serious on the nesting material in the 3-hole concrete box today: fingers crossed sideview was a different bird but I don't think so, which means she put a lot of effort into cleaning it out for nothing! (maybe). Then again, let's see if the nest in the concrete box sticks.. Lot's of visits over last couple of days from starlings and sparrows in the concrete starling box, good to see - would love a nest in there this year (never had before).
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Post by pete11 on Mar 19, 2023 16:52:58 GMT
Interesting! Let's wait and see what happens ๐ค๐ค๐ค
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Post by WildlifePaul on Mar 29, 2023 22:05:18 GMT
Anything going on at yours Matt? Still building?
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Post by matt on Apr 4, 2023 10:37:09 GMT
Hey Paul! Yes, but so far the same as last year - she is *still* bringing in and taking out on a daily basis!! Not too worried as exactly the same happened last year, in fact I think it was a full couple of weeks from first material until she actually went all in on building the nest. At least she is getting a bit of practice! This is all happening in a 3-hole concrete, with not too much happening in the other boxes. No sign of the robin (or wrens) so far, so if that box is going to be used it will have to be a second brood. I did have a moment of excitement in the starling box last week when sparrows were showing a real interest for a couple of days - this culminated with a fight inside the box between 2 males, neither of which have been back since..
Sorry not been on here much with new work commitments.. will post an update if/when she finally gets building properly!
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Post by karenupnorth on Apr 9, 2023 16:35:20 GMT
Is your female still taking in and out Matt? Gone quiet here, just the odd visit each day, still nest wriggling etc but not exactly nest building as such, things seem to have halted, hopefully she is just biding her time, I do seem to recall this happening with yours in past years, as though they have chosen but now need to wait for the right time to properly start.
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Post by matt on Apr 17, 2023 7:55:29 GMT
Hi all, sorry for very sporadic posting this year! Just been away again for Easter hols (a week) and come back to at least a bit o progress in the concrete box: Still seem to be way behind others on here, and also behind my usual nesting time, but it has been a very weird spring weather wise.. I was hoping to see some proper nesting in the sparrow box upon my return, but not yet. Plenty of double sparrow visits this mornning though so fingers still crossed for that one!
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Post by suep on Apr 17, 2023 9:36:59 GMT
Nest might be slow Matt but itโs looking good . Still time for the sparrows too, so do keep us informed when you can. I am away at the moment and hate the fact that I canโt see what is happening in my box - just hope all is progressing when I get home . Sue
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Post by Beechnut on Apr 17, 2023 9:49:35 GMT
Hopefully slow but sure Matt.
Good to know the sparrows are more positive.
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Post by sammi on Apr 17, 2023 9:54:36 GMT
Glad to see you have some nesting going on. Hopefully things will swing into action soon. I noticed a pair of sparrows eyeing up one of my boxes today so I am clinging on to the hope that this season is just a late starter
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Post by karenupnorth on Apr 17, 2023 12:36:51 GMT
Glad you have some good news Matt, look forward to your updates, will you be streaming?
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Post by matt on Apr 17, 2023 18:39:53 GMT
Glad you have some good news Matt, look forward to your updates, will you be streaming? Will see how it goes Karen - I've got a new camera and not sure yet if I can get it streaming but if I can I will! Or perhaps the sparrows, if they go for it? Unfortunately I don't have the bandwidth to stream two at once..
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Post by pete11 on Apr 17, 2023 21:21:30 GMT
Good to see your progress update Matt. Funny how the nesting stages can be so out of synch across different locations but agree this spring has been a very weird one so far. Looking forward to seeing more updates.
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Post by matt on Apr 18, 2023 14:04:27 GMT
Here's a close up from today - a small amount of softer stuff has started coming in. Liking the new camera, which now has autofocus as well which will be useful I think. Not much action from the sparrows today. It still seems really cold outside for late April!
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Post by pete11 on Apr 18, 2023 15:55:55 GMT
What's the new camera Matt? Great quality image.
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