|
|
Post by Beechnut on May 18, 2019 10:40:07 GMT
Sue, It seems that there is no hard and fast rule about meal/wax worm feeders, but generally speaking I don't think the tits like them too close to the box. This is not always the case, so it's trial and error.
Previous years, I've had my feeder box on the fence across the lawn from the wallbox and it's nearly always been used throughout rearing apart from the first three or four days, when small natural occuring food was used. Some years I also had a temporary plastic box feeder in the conifer hedge only about 2-3m from the box.
This year I put these in position and also a Scott feeder on the post at the end of the fence, all with starling/larger bird defences, and nothing was touched by either of my GTs, but when I put out another Scott feeder in the plum tree - not hidden, but not on the outside edge of the foliage - Tuppence started using it within a few hours, unfortunately the starlings were also interested and managed to capture some mealies until I made the adaptation to the feeder (Documented elsewhere on the forum).
Now that feeder is being used by Tommy and Tuppence (who still does a stint of feeding now and then, despite sitting on her 5 eggs) most of the time, keeping the fledglings topped up.
|
|
|
|
Post by WildlifePaul on May 18, 2019 11:52:25 GMT
Oh Sue, I am sorry it looks like a single bird  If the feeder as sparrows hounding it I wouldn't move it to close to the box just incase. I hope she managers to raise a decent size brood for you  |
|
|
|
Post by suep on May 18, 2019 19:21:52 GMT
Thank you ALL for your lovely comments and helpful suggestions. I think I will try waxworms in one and mealies in the other and see if either get used. If not might try moving one a bit. So frustrating when you want to help but really can’t make it happen. Sue |
|
|
|
Post by suep on May 19, 2019 11:07:01 GMT
Well, very sad news today. I have been sat here since 7am and no sign of either parent. I took the decision to open the nest box in case there were chicks needing help and this is what I found:  A completely empty nest. I have no idea what has happened. I know there were chicks because a week ago I saw egg shell coming out. Feeding has been going on for days, albeit probably less than I feel was needed. Dad disappeared two days ago, but mum continued in and out with food by herself. Was out with granddaughters yesterday but on returning home watched the box and mum was still in and out. This morning - nothing........ Half an hour ago I decided to open the nest box and am absolutely at a loss as to what has happened. There is some poo in the nest but no other sign of what has happened. I can only assume that either my timings were totally out, which I don’t believe to be the case as it was obvious when feeding began and faecal sacs coming out. The chicks in my estimation would have been a week old yesterday. My only other guess is that the chicks were not doing well for one of many reasons and Dad gave up knowing it was a lost cause or was predated, and mum hasn’t coped. And the chicks have died and been taken out (though I haven’t seen this happen). To be honest I am totally at a loss as to what the reason is.  Feel really upset that I didn’t step in earlier but mum was still going backwards and forwards and I assumed trying her best. Now I am gutted. Season totally over for me. Just wish I knew what has happened. Don’t know if I can do this any more - way too stressful. Wish the rest of you loads of luck and I will try to keep up with all the ups and hopefully no more downs. Sorry to be the bearer of bad tidings. Thank you all for listening. Sue |
|
chrisp
Junior Member
Posts: 99
|
Post by chrisp on May 19, 2019 12:02:44 GMT
Oh no Sue , I’m gutted for you. What an awful thing to find after all your high hopes.
It seems a strange thing to happen. I wouldn’t have thought she would have taken them all out if they’d have died suddenly like that.
More likely for you to have found them dead.
Whatever’s happening with this years nests . So many of us have have a sh.....t year.
Chris.
|
|
chrisp
Junior Member
Posts: 99
|
Post by chrisp on May 19, 2019 12:09:46 GMT
Just had a thought Sue.
You don’t suppose they have not been well and dying daily. She might have been taking them out each day and perhaps only had one left to feed
Which has eventually died. That would be the answer to the empty nest but her still feeding yesterday.
|
|
|
|
Post by suep on May 19, 2019 12:16:19 GMT
Thanks Chris, maybe was a small number and they have died gradually and been removed - know this can often happen in darkness. No good me guessing cause I just don’t know. That’s the awful thing without a camera. Would love to think they had fledged, but know that’s not possible as timings from nest being built, eggs being laid, incubation in progress, seeing feeding begin and egg shell coming out, faecal sacs etc. The timings tell me something has happened to them,but will never know what. Hate it.
Sue
|
|
|
|
Post by Ann70 on May 19, 2019 12:53:50 GMT
oh so so sorry to hear this news sue, you must be upset to say the least, its certainly been a tough season for some of us.
i would have done exactly the same and check the box, its sad to see an empty nest but would be more distressing to see dead chicks.
i would think its two late to have another chance from a pair, but as you say enough is enough for this season.
hoping im not going to find a sad picture, after fledging if martha is successful to see them to that stage.
|
|
|
|
Post by suep on May 19, 2019 14:07:27 GMT
Just had a thought Sue. You don’t suppose they have not been well and dying daily. She might have been taking them out each day and perhaps only had one left to feed Which has eventually died. That would be the answer to the empty nest but her still feeding yesterday. Think we crossed with the same thoughts Chris, you obviously posted whilst I was typing. Ann, yes devastated, but as you say wouldn’t have liked to have seen dead chicks. Hopefully your Martha does a good job and goes on to fledge a few successfully. Sue |
|
|
|
Post by Ann70 on May 19, 2019 14:41:20 GMT
it seems as though Martha is doing a good job, due to the visits she's doing, and appears to be finding enough food.lets hope im right.
next season i may just leave the camera box up and see if there are any takers, if so i may add a log box after that, i will miss the log box as its so popular, but i think its worth a go.
will you leave just your camera box up and see if you get residents.
|
|
|
|
Post by Beechnut on May 19, 2019 14:53:11 GMT
I cannot believe that Sue - I'm absolutely gutted for you.  |
|
|
|
Post by WildlifePaul on May 19, 2019 15:04:13 GMT
Oh sue  I am beyond gutted for you 2 of my blue tit chicks have gone missing overnight, I am guessing they died lastnight or this morning and was removed. I don't know why though, They was fine lastnight! I am down to 5 now and put off ringing them for a few days to see if anything else happens. |
|
|
|
Post by YorksherLass on May 19, 2019 15:09:57 GMT
Dear Sue, I am so sorry to hear this sad news of yours & I understand how upset you are now. It's terrible when you don't know what's happened as well & no chance of ever finding out. It's another bad year in a row for a lot of the members birds, inexplicable this time though as no Beast from the East. Thinking of you.  |
|
|
|
Post by YorksherLass on May 19, 2019 15:15:21 GMT
Oh dear, after posting my message I've just read the one from Paul!  So sorry to read your news too. Not a good day today.  |
|
|
|
Post by suep on May 19, 2019 15:26:26 GMT
Thank you Beechnut, Paul and Diane. Well as if to add mystery to it all, we have just had a very heavy rainstorm and I guess I am so used to looking out of the window at the birdbox that my eyes went to it and I saw a blue tit zoom in the same as the female has always done. I couldn’t believe my eyes so sat waiting with camera in hand and sure enough.......  after about out three minutes out pops mums head. Was she back looking for her chicks, or to make sure they had really gone, or just to come ‘home’ to shelter from the rain  . .?? Paul, so sorry about your chicks, it really is a mystery why/how these things happen. Is it possible they are being killed by eating bugs from gardens that have been sprayed with insecticides I wonder. Seems so strange when been feeding successfully (as yours will have been) and then suddenly die. Wish we had an explanation. Ann, at the moment don’t know if i’ll bother at all next year, not sure if I can bear the upset any more. Thank you all you wonderful people. |
|
|
|
Post by Ann70 on May 19, 2019 15:32:33 GMT
Sue yes of course to early to say about next year, interesting that female bluetit has come backed you think there's time for a 2 brood, maybe that's asking a lot as she's had a failed one keep watching Sue and let us know thinking of you Paul sorry to hear of your loss also, its not been a good year at allots of ups and downs
|
|
|
|
Post by WildlifePaul on May 19, 2019 15:55:28 GMT
Sue, Maybe she is just checking out to be sure? Don't know very sad though, I'd love her to try again but if her males gone it seems unlikely. Also that is very possible to be honest, Getting fed something with poison on. This could of only happened by our male feeding them because Tatty is only using my life food. I really don't know, Its strange though, Because 2 of them that are few days behind are fine it was two of the older ones. I don't know after this year I just can't wait for the nests to be finished and no more drama to be honest, Feels like a new drama every week for me! I'll be grey time i'm 30!  |
|
|
|
Post by Beechnut on May 19, 2019 18:01:51 GMT
Sorry to hear of your 2 BTs' demise Paul - this year for most has been a year not to be remembered - I feel slightly guilty having 2 broods although must not count my chicks yet.........
|
|
|
|
Post by sammi on May 19, 2019 20:03:25 GMT
Sue I am so sorry that you lost your brood however it happened. I'd almost forgotten that this stage is so hard to watch |
|
|
|
Post by elle on May 19, 2019 20:27:35 GMT
OMG Sue I’m truly gutted for you I’m positive you haven’t got your timings wrong, your a dab hand at knowing the timings even without a camara, so no confusions there! I cannot understand what has happened this year Sue, seems there are a lot of things going wrong, even with cameras it’s hard to understand what’s happening as you say, I think dad knew it was a lost cause and just disappeared, and I think mum is just checking!! However, thinking about it, Pete is only just getting his nest, so you never know If it has failed Sue, pick yourself up, and prepare for next year, I know exactly how you feel & how stressful it is and every year I say the same (I’m not putting myself through it again) we are 2 stress heads together, and I don’t want to be the only stress head on the forum, SO!! prepare for next spring, take your concrete box down and put your camara box in its place, then they haven’t got an option, they’ll have to use it!! Just try for 1 year, if it doesn’t work you can always put it back quickly    Elle xx |
|
|
|
Post by blueeyedchick on May 20, 2019 7:57:37 GMT
Oh how awful Sue for you how can things go so wrong?  Don't think your timings would be out either however, you must be gutted as the others have said and I feel for you. Still I know you are a practical person so onwards and upwards as we go forward to next spring. |
|
|
|
Post by suep on May 20, 2019 8:31:08 GMT
Sammi, Elle , Kathy and all, thank you so much for all your comments and practical advice, I am truly gutted but know this is nature and nothing is guaranteed. Don’t worry Elle we ‘stress heads’ will stick together, you lot on here are the only ones that understand me and my obsession with these little birds. Too early to make decisions about next year yet but something has to change. I wonder if this was the same pair as last year as last year was a similar scenario with dead chicks and not enough feeding going on - although last year they managed to fledge one chick. Looking back they both seemed a bit scatter brained - first mum went missing for a couple of days, dad didn’t seem to turn up as often as I felt he should but when he did he was full on. Mum was there a lot but her food runs didn’t amount to anything exactly urgent, and mealworms were ignored yet again. I feel yesterday she was just checking that the nest really was empty as not seen her since. Good luck to the rest of you. Hoping this is the last of the bad luck on here for this year.
Sue xx
|
|
|
|
Post by YorksherLass on May 20, 2019 15:10:06 GMT
Sue, I echo exactly what Elle said to you even though it's hard for you to believe it at the moment. As the saying goes, another day, another dollar & next Spring is a long way off & you may feel differently then about not bothering anymore. |
|
|
|
Post by suep on May 20, 2019 16:35:36 GMT
Thanks Diane, I know you are right. Sue |
|
|
|
Post by hfriel on May 20, 2019 18:11:06 GMT
Oh Sue ....I’m only getting round to reading your sad news now That’s such a mystery, no sign of anything. Just a thought, do you all get your live food from the same supplier by any chance? Could there be a problem with the live food. I’m down one also, everything in my boxes is recorded, when I get time, I’ll check through it and see when it died exactly and was it weakening or just suddenly. Don’t be disheartened, It’s happened all of us at some stage so totally know the feeling, you’re the one who’se always first with the sympathy and heartening advice. Just maybe they all fledged together  You are an optimist after all !!! |
|
So sorry to read your news too.
. .??
Don't think your timings would be out either however, you must be gutted as the others have said and I feel for you. Still I know you are a practical person so onwards and upwards as we go forward to next spring.
You are an optimist after all !!!