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Post by sammi on Apr 18, 2023 16:01:55 GMT
I was just about to ask the same. I think those log boxes are great. How is the camera mounted in them please? Is it just attached to underside of lid?
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Post by matt on Apr 18, 2023 17:03:07 GMT
What's the new camera Matt? Great quality image. It is a 16MP Arducam autofocus camera for Raspberry Pi (all my boxes use RPi). It can do video at 1080p but also take stills at 16mp, and the pic I posted is about a quarter frame crop of a 16mp still. thepihut.com/products/arducam-imx519-autofocus-camera-module-for-raspberry-piSammi this is a concrete box (3 holes) not a log box, but round inside like the log box. Camera is housed in a wooden lid along with LED lights and raspberry pi.
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Post by suep on Apr 18, 2023 19:11:55 GMT
Beautiful capture Matt Sue
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Post by pete11 on Apr 18, 2023 19:12:44 GMT
Looks interesting - the review says autofocus isn't continuous for video recording...is that still the case? Tempting to get one just to have a play with it... Guessing it's possible in theory to get a stream from it via ffmpeg or something?
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Post by sammi on Apr 18, 2023 19:16:19 GMT
You know Matt I just saw the round shape and my half brain kicked in I really must take a break from all this I think it's all proving too much. I knew you had the lovely concrete ones I am going for a lie down
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Post by karenupnorth on Apr 19, 2023 6:22:55 GMT
Looking good Matt, great quality too, hope all goes well,
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Post by matt on Apr 19, 2023 10:31:15 GMT
Looks interesting - the review says autofocus isn't continuous for video recording...is that still the case? Tempting to get one just to have a play with it... Guessing it's possible in theory to get a stream from it via ffmpeg or something? Yes, should be possible to get it going via ffmpeg which is what I used to do with the original pi camera - just haven't got round to it yet. No continuous autofocus and tbh the autofocus isn't great anyway - you can't choose focal points or anything like that. However luckily we don't need to change focus too much generally, and it is possible to manually adjust focus via key presses which is probably enough. Also capable of focussing very close, which is good (see image below). Wirth getting IMO if you use a pi since they are pretty cheap. To be honest pi cameras aren't that great compared to mobile phones etc, and I have an ever growing pile of old android phones with far better camera/better processors etc. I keep meaning to work out how to use one in a nest box - maybe next year if I have time!
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Post by matt on Apr 21, 2023 7:06:49 GMT
Back from working up in London and despite me thinking activity had died down a little over the last couple of days it does look this morning as if we have our first egg! A bit weird almost because as far as I could tell she never really went to town on the cup and soft furnishings, but if she's happy then so am I! Sparrow activity on the other hand has definitely slowed - this is the third year now where a male has taken an interest but obviously had trouble enticing a female. I'm not sure what it is about the box they don't like but it is obviously falling short somewhere..
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Post by suep on Apr 21, 2023 8:49:36 GMT
Brilliant news re first egg Matt. It is strange how they all ‘furnish’ their nests differently, but guess it’s the same as we humans in a way. I am hoping that I may find an egg or two laid when I get home tomorrow Sue
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Post by WildlifePaul on Apr 22, 2023 22:33:43 GMT
Great stuff Matt, They always add more soft material each day to cover the eggs so I think her nest will turn out fine by the end.
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Post by linda1963 on Apr 23, 2023 8:06:55 GMT
That is interesting as I have had my first egg laid without any soft materials in the nest. I have never seen it before and have had nests for quite a few years. Hopefully she will get some in before finishing laying!
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benn
Senior Member
Posts: 137
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Post by benn on Apr 24, 2023 19:59:03 GMT
Good news Matt.
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Post by suep on Apr 25, 2023 13:18:16 GMT
Hope more eggs are being laid Matt!? Nest actually looks very comfortable without all its ‘furnishings’. Sue
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Post by karenupnorth on Apr 26, 2023 6:37:13 GMT
Brilliant news Matt, wonder how many she will settle on. Look forward to seeing their story.
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Post by matt on Apr 28, 2023 12:59:49 GMT
Definitely at least 8 eggs now, although she has been making them hard to count! I think she is just starting to sit as of today, although not consistently yet. My guess is one more egg tomorrow for a total of 9 (unless I've missed any so far). Also sparrow still coming in daily and trying to attract female, and at least one (perhaps more) female has been in and checked out the box but no firm taker yet.
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Post by suep on Apr 28, 2023 13:30:23 GMT
Lovely pic Matt and brilliant to see a good clutch of eggs. I love the token feather . Hope the sparrows also give you a nest, that would be great. Sue
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Post by pete11 on Apr 28, 2023 21:14:15 GMT
Great pic. That's a decent clutch - interesting the lack of feathers though. Mines gone completely overboard with them by contrast!
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Post by sammi on Apr 29, 2023 8:24:03 GMT
A nice number Matt. I hope they all do well. Good luck with the sparrows too. Mine are nesting across the way in the school roof. I can view them from here so may be the best I will get this year Maybe your lady will find some feathers soon if she thinks she needs them.
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Post by matt on Apr 30, 2023 15:20:32 GMT
Well a definite 9 as of yesterday, with about half a day of proper incubating I would say. Today she has been on the nest every time I have looked, so haven't been able to tell if she laid a 10th (possible I'd say). I'll keep you posted! The sparrow *still* trying to lure a female in (to be fair, she's been in quite a few times). I don't know how long this courtship goes on for, but you'd have to think decision time fairly soon? Afternoon nap on the eggs!
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Post by matt on Apr 30, 2023 15:49:30 GMT
It is ten!
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Post by suep on Apr 30, 2023 16:27:03 GMT
Wow, brilliant clutch Matt. Brilliant clear pictures. I keep wondering whether to put my light on to get better images but am worried that it will upset them because I don’t keep the camera etc on all the time (only to check up on things), so it would mean the light going on and off. Unsure still. Sue
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benn
Senior Member
Posts: 137
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Post by benn on May 2, 2023 8:02:41 GMT
Fabulous Matt! Nice compact cup that nest!
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Post by matt on May 2, 2023 10:05:36 GMT
Sparrow news! Nothing definite yet, but the activity in the "starling" box from the sparrows has gone on fairly non-stop now for the last couple of days, with lots of double visits and even visits by the female on her own. I don't know if this means she is about to pull the trigger and start a nest, but fingers crossed.. I have had activity over last few years but never a nest, but never this much activity for so long. Here's a pic of the pair from this morning:
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Post by WildlifePaul on May 2, 2023 10:56:31 GMT
Who brought the material in Matt? If its the Female you will be getting a nest, If its the male he adds it while trying to get the female to take to the box. Once you see the female bringing in material its a done deal! Looks great, You'll get a couple of broods off them aswell.
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Post by matt on May 2, 2023 11:59:50 GMT
So far mostly/all male Paul, but female has started spending much more time in the box over the last couple of days. Before, she would only pop in as the male stayed in the bottom of the box. Now she comes in on her own, and is fussing a bit with nest material but I think mostly taking bits out. Still waiting for her to actually turn up with material.. so yeah, not a done deal yet but I'm hopeful!
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