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Title: Look at the [blue] tits on this!! Post by: RioRodent on March 01, 2012, 09:20:51 PM I'm sure there are few here who will like this.
http://nestbox2012.blogspot.com/ Title: Re: Look at the [blue] tits on this!! Post by: ManuelsMum on March 02, 2012, 12:35:44 AM Nice work indeed. Is that an IR night vision movie camera also?
Gonna get me one of these, will post here. Is it mainly a tit thing? Do they get first go in the boxes? Title: Re: Look at the [blue] tits on this!! Post by: RioRodent on March 02, 2012, 07:44:41 AM Nice work indeed. Is that an IR night vision movie camera also? Gonna get me one of these, will post here. Is it mainly a tit thing? Do they get first go in the boxes? Yes, it has IR for night time. This is the camera - http://www.handykam.com/Wired-camera-kits/Colour-CCD-high-resolution-camera-kit-with-20m-of-cable/flypage.tpl.html I think box size, hole size, box height & location all play a part in determining which birds will use it. I based my box on dimensions found on't interweb for a blue tit box. Useful info here - http://www.rspb.org.uk/advice/helpingbirds/nestboxes/smallbirds/making.aspx Title: Re: Look at the [blue] tits on this!! Post by: RioRodent on March 02, 2012, 03:05:54 PM Highlights of the day's action (http://nestbox2012.blogspot.com/2012/03/day-2.html)...
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVmCEFK-w_I YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jxh_XezgaeY Title: Re: Look at the [blue] tits on this!! Post by: DaveShoelace on March 02, 2012, 03:06:57 PM Even though it was obvious what the thread was about, I still opened on the off chance of boobs
Title: Re: Look at the [blue] tits on this!! Post by: tikay on March 02, 2012, 03:12:03 PM Incredible! Many thanks. Title: Re: Look at the [blue] tits on this!! Post by: RED-DOG on March 02, 2012, 04:34:57 PM Triffic!
Title: Re: Look at the [blue] tits on this!! Post by: RioRodent on March 06, 2012, 05:51:06 PM Been a bit quiet for a few days... I guess the colder, wetter, windier weather makes them question wether or not it's really the right time to building a nest??
Work resumed today though, although I wasn't around and didn't have the laptop connected to the camera. This is how they left it for evening though... (http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YRwO_MsrJD0/T1ZMYZCsFCI/AAAAAAAABYs/ExO22c0yNOU/s400/livefeed.jpg) Title: Re: Look at the [blue] tits on this!! Post by: ScottMGee on March 06, 2012, 08:05:22 PM Nice work.
Still hoping some birds are going to start using my bird boxes / bird feeder. We seem to get one solo blue tit on the feeder. Title: Re: Look at the [blue] tits on this!! Post by: ManuelsMum on March 06, 2012, 11:06:48 PM Not a box, not even a tit, but an interesting bird video. I ended up sending it to Cornell University Bird People who explained it to me....
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80PtfVIwrIs Title: Re: Look at the [blue] tits on this!! Post by: Junior Senior on March 06, 2012, 11:41:25 PM Shouldnt put the food that close to the box. May see too many other birds close to box and could disturb nesting. Best to have food in another section of garden away from nest site
Good luck with it Title: Re: Look at the [blue] tits on this!! Post by: RioRodent on March 08, 2012, 04:54:21 PM Shouldnt put the food that close to the box. May see too many other birds close to box and could disturb nesting. Best to have food in another section of garden away from nest site Good luck with it That was just put there to entice them to that corner, after we moved the nest box. It's gone now. Title: Re: Look at the [blue] tits on this!! Post by: RioRodent on March 08, 2012, 06:21:55 PM Another busy day...
Title: Re: Look at the [blue] tits on this!! Post by: RioRodent on March 09, 2012, 09:04:13 AM There is currently a live stream of the inside of the nestbox at - http://78.86.86.4:8081
It will be from 09.00 - 15.30 today. Most activity seems to occur between 10.00 and 14.00. Title: Re: Look at the [blue] tits on this!! Post by: RioRodent on March 10, 2012, 02:01:13 PM Day 10 - Whilst I realise that she will not have had any formal training... it is, none the less, very frustrating watching her for any length of time!
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-rjeyLV-UY Title: Re: Look at the [blue] tits on this!! Post by: Junior Senior on March 10, 2012, 04:20:20 PM Awesome. Got my father in law one of these for christmas so looking fwd to something taking up residence soon
Title: Re: Look at the [blue] tits on this!! Post by: RioRodent on March 14, 2012, 09:04:28 AM The nest building has been continuing, but I've been a bit busy over the last few days so not had laptop connected to get any video updates... will get some today though.
Title: Re: Look at the [blue] tits on this!! Post by: RioRodent on March 14, 2012, 01:03:04 PM Day 14 - Only one brief visit this morning...
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxBFg6IpUPc Title: Re: Look at the [blue] tits on this!! Post by: RioRodent on March 14, 2012, 03:55:08 PM Do you still have a poker club in Witney Alan? replied by PM Title: Re: Look at the [blue] tits on this!! Post by: RioRodent on March 17, 2012, 04:16:47 PM For the last few days they have just made a few brief visits, without adding any more material.
I'm guessing that the nest is close to finished and they are now waiting until the time is right before mating and laying, which could still be 2 or 3 weeks away. (http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_fnBkuswo_M/T2S3IypbRhI/AAAAAAAABZQ/Id71rzeC2nQ/s1600/livefeed.jpg) Title: Re: Look at the [blue] tits on this!! Post by: RED-DOG on March 17, 2012, 04:38:17 PM I can't wait for the chicks.... ;sark;
Title: Re: Look at the [blue] tits on this!! Post by: RioRodent on March 17, 2012, 05:41:54 PM I can't wait for the chicks.... ;sark; Nor can the wife... she has the nation's mealworm suppliers on standby!! ;popcorn; Title: Re: Look at the [blue] tits on this!! Post by: RioRodent on March 19, 2012, 08:04:41 PM An exciting development this evening... for the first time she is spending the night in the box.
(http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s71/RioRodent/20120319_nestbox.jpg) From what I've read, this usually means the first egg/s are imminent! Title: Re: Look at the [blue] tits on this!! Post by: RED-DOG on March 19, 2012, 08:15:06 PM ;woohoo;
Title: Re: Look at the [blue] tits on this!! Post by: RioRodent on March 19, 2012, 08:33:16 PM From what I've read, this usually means the first egg/s are imminent! But further reading confirms what I thought, that eggs aren't due until mid April. Of course it could just mean that, after last night's frost, she thinks, "Why spend the night in a cold, draughty tree, when I've spent two weeks building a nice warm nest?" Title: Re: Look at the [blue] tits on this!! Post by: RioRodent on March 20, 2012, 06:31:52 PM It's 6.30pm and she's just tucked her head under her wing to settle down for a second night in the box.
Title: Re: Look at the [blue] tits on this!! Post by: RioRodent on March 31, 2012, 04:35:38 PM Well it's been pretty quite for the last week or so, there have been infrequent visits through the day and she has roosted in the box every night.
Today however, she has been much busier, she has found a source of what looks like soft dog hair, the kind you might find on the belly of a Golden Retriever and she has pretty much filled the nest cup with it. (http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s71/RioRodent/20120331.jpg) Title: Re: Look at the [blue] tits on this!! Post by: RED-DOG on March 31, 2012, 04:42:24 PM Any time now...
Title: Re: Look at the [blue] tits on this!! Post by: RioRodent on April 09, 2012, 05:45:44 PM We're egg-static -
(http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s71/RioRodent/20120409_nestbox.jpg) Updates may become more frequent over the next few weeks! ;karabiner; Title: Re: Look at the [blue] tits on this!! Post by: RED-DOG on April 09, 2012, 05:58:53 PM I hope you get a few more ovum.
Title: Re: Look at the [blue] tits on this!! Post by: RioRodent on April 10, 2012, 06:58:22 AM I hope you get a few more ovum. What, like this one? (http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s71/RioRodent/20120410_nestbox.jpg) Title: Re: Look at the [blue] tits on this!! Post by: RED-DOG on April 10, 2012, 09:54:52 AM Now she's really letting the clutch out.
Title: Re: Look at the [blue] tits on this!! Post by: RioRodent on April 11, 2012, 01:56:25 PM (http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s71/RioRodent/20120411_nestbox.jpg)
Title: Re: Look at the [blue] tits on this!! Post by: RED-DOG on April 11, 2012, 06:47:27 PM Free eggs.
Title: Re: Look at the [blue] tits on this!! Post by: Geo the Sarge on April 11, 2012, 06:56:11 PM FYP, your spelling is Geo Title: Re: Look at the [blue] tits on this!! Post by: RED-DOG on April 11, 2012, 07:26:53 PM FYP, your spelling is Geo Fanks. Title: Re: Look at the [blue] tits on this!! Post by: RioRodent on April 11, 2012, 08:42:19 PM Free eggs. What, all of them? They can't all be innocent! Title: Re: Look at the [blue] tits on this!! Post by: RioRodent on April 12, 2012, 06:53:55 AM (http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s71/RioRodent/20120412_nestbox.jpg)
I'm guessing that we'll see seven eggs and then on the eighth morning she'll sit tight and start incubating. Title: Re: Look at the [blue] tits on this!! Post by: RED-DOG on April 12, 2012, 08:24:46 AM The egg squad.
Title: Re: Look at the [blue] tits on this!! Post by: RioRodent on April 12, 2012, 06:16:56 PM Title: Re: Look at the [blue] tits on this!! Post by: RioRodent on April 13, 2012, 09:18:38 AM Another day, another egg..
(http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s71/RioRodent/20120413_nestbox.jpg) Title: Re: Look at the [blue] tits on this!! Post by: RED-DOG on April 13, 2012, 01:36:53 PM I was beginning to wonder if anyone would. Title: Re: Look at the [blue] tits on this!! Post by: RioRodent on April 13, 2012, 05:23:34 PM This morning's comings and goings, spliced together...
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yWF7usUKz4 An interesting pattern emerging, she leaves for a couple of hours in the morning, then keeps popping back in and covering the eggs. Title: Re: Look at the [blue] tits on this!! Post by: RioRodent on April 15, 2012, 06:44:38 AM I had a bit of a lie in yesterday and she had already covered the eggs, so couldn't be sure how many... but I guess it was probably six - as today there are seven.
(http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s71/RioRodent/20120415_nestbox.jpg) Title: Re: Look at the [blue] tits on this!! Post by: RioRodent on April 15, 2012, 06:59:42 PM We noticed this afternoon that she has been returning to the nest periodically and sitting for 10-15 mins, every now and again investigating the very bowels of the nest!
A bit like this - YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPMQIIaVzbs Title: Re: Look at the [blue] tits on this!! Post by: RioRodent on April 16, 2012, 08:32:05 AM Eight eggs this morning.
Title: Re: Look at the [blue] tits on this!! Post by: RED-DOG on April 16, 2012, 09:39:06 AM Title: Re: Look at the [blue] tits on this!! Post by: typhoon13 on April 16, 2012, 09:53:48 AM pmsl Title: Re: Look at the [blue] tits on this!! Post by: RioRodent on April 16, 2012, 12:33:13 PM Incubation appears to have started in earnest today, we've just seen the male bring her lunch.
Title: Re: Look at the [blue] tits on this!! Post by: RioRodent on April 17, 2012, 06:32:18 PM All done at eight eggs.. incubation definitely under way.
It may go a bit quiet for 10 - 12 days now! ;popcorn; Title: Re: Look at the [blue] tits on this!! Post by: RED-DOG on April 17, 2012, 07:36:13 PM All done at eight eggs.. incubation definitely under way. It may go a bit quiet for 10 - 12 days now! ;popcorn; It's amazing to think that such a complex creature can form in such a short period. Title: Re: Look at the [blue] tits on this!! Post by: RioRodent on April 29, 2012, 10:04:47 AM ;popcorn;
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdB_24CtC0Y Title: Re: Look at the [blue] tits on this!! Post by: RioRodent on April 29, 2012, 10:41:05 AM So, anyway while we've been waiting.. I ordered some live mini-mealworms, so that there would be a ready supply of healthy nutritious food on hand. I also searched google for 'mealworm feeders' and bought one of these -
(http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s71/RioRodent/mwormfeeder.jpg) Unfortunately there are two problems with the design of this; 1. It turns out the little blighters are a bit more mobile than I anticipated and eventually they are able to crawl over the sides. and 2. The join between the tray and the rod that it hangs from is rather flimsy, such that even with the top set so low that a Blue Tit would have to squeeze through, the starlings are still able to force their way in. So, I had a cunning plan..... Title: Re: Look at the [blue] tits on this!! Post by: RioRodent on April 29, 2012, 10:55:10 AM The Cunning Plan..
What I need to do is modify it with some 1" mesh chicken wire, that'll keep the So i drive about 20 miles each way to get a bit of chicken off of the father-in-law, who happened to have some in his garage, and set about building an impenetrable [for starlings] fortress... (http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s71/RioRodent/20120428-P1010211.jpg) This kept them out, but of course it didn't stop the mealworms climbing out or the Obviously I am far more intelligent than a starling, so it wasn't long before Cunning Plan v2 was in development.. Title: Re: Look at the [blue] tits on this!! Post by: RED-DOG on April 29, 2012, 11:13:41 AM I'll have a fiver on the starlings.
Title: Re: Look at the [blue] tits on this!! Post by: RioRodent on April 29, 2012, 11:19:05 AM Cunning Plan v2..
If we have a smooth-sided pot of some kind in the middle it will stop the mealworms climbing out and maybe keep them out of reach of the starlings? Seemplz! Yer 'tis - (http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s71/RioRodent/20120428-P1010228.jpg) As can be seen the scrawny necks of the starlings are still long enough to reach through, but it did stop the mealworms climbing out. Yay! Clearly, Cunning Plan v2.1 would need rolling out ASAP. Title: Re: Look at the [blue] tits on this!! Post by: RioRodent on April 29, 2012, 11:30:52 AM I'll have a fiver on the starlings. You under-estimate me... I will prevail!!!! Title: Re: Look at the [blue] tits on this!! Post by: RioRodent on April 29, 2012, 11:52:11 AM Cunning Plan v2.1..
(http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s71/RioRodent/20120428-P1010246.jpg) The doubters among you will notice the distinct lack of Sturnus Vulgaris poking their scrawny necks in where they are not welcome. I accept that it is not yet overflowing with Blue Tits either but at least they now have chance. As Kevin Costner always says, "If you build it, they will come." Title: Re: Look at the [blue] tits on this!! Post by: RioRodent on April 29, 2012, 11:59:24 AM Muahahahaha... MUAHAHAHAHAH
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9VrxxvCtWk Title: Re: Look at the [blue] tits on this!! Post by: RED-DOG on April 29, 2012, 12:09:11 PM Megalomaniac.
Title: Re: Look at the [blue] tits on this!! Post by: RioRodent on April 29, 2012, 07:53:26 PM Well, whaddya know... checked the nestbox cam about an hour ago to find three little mouths pointing up at the camera.
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsXmhEDDuXM Title: Re: Look at the [blue] tits on this!! Post by: RED-DOG on April 29, 2012, 07:55:16 PM I'm filling up..
Title: Re: Look at the [blue] tits on this!! Post by: RioRodent on April 29, 2012, 08:09:23 PM Somehow YouTube has managed to turn a 9 min video into a 4 min one by playing it at double speed??
Title: Re: Look at the [blue] tits on this!! Post by: Karabiner on April 29, 2012, 11:46:49 PM We've got our very own springwatch, ahhhh..
Title: Re: Look at the [blue] tits on this!! Post by: RioRodent on April 30, 2012, 08:41:50 AM We've got our very own springwatch, ahhhh.. And now for one day only...... a live stream 'til bedtime (the birds, not us!) at http://78.86.86.4:8081 Title: Re: Look at the [blue] tits on this!! Post by: Rod Paradise on April 30, 2012, 08:56:36 AM That's brilliant Rio! I've been meaning to ask (and forgive me if I have and have then forgotten) whereabouts do you live? The blue tits etc are finding nesting sites or building nests up here at the moment, so you're weeks in front of us. Shows the difference a bit of latitude & altitude can make I suppose.
Title: Re: Look at the [blue] tits on this!! Post by: RioRodent on April 30, 2012, 09:03:46 AM That's brilliant Rio! I've been meaning to ask (and forgive me if I have and have then forgotten) whereabouts do you live? The blue tits etc are finding nesting sites or building nests up here at the moment, so you're weeks in front of us. Shows the difference a bit of latitude & altitude can make I suppose. No, I don't believe you have asked previously. We live in Witney, nr Oxford. Sometime in the middle of last week my wife found half a *Blackbird's egg in the garden and over a couple of days found two hatchlings (bald, eyes closed) in different parts of the garden. So our Blue Tits definitely aren't the first around here. *Edit: Having checked Google images, I think it was actually a **Starling's egg - plain blue, no speckles. Title: Re: Look at the [blue] tits on this!! Post by: Rod Paradise on April 30, 2012, 10:43:02 AM I've to go to Bracknell quite often with work, I certainly notice a significant difference in the temperature when I'm down there. Still have had frosts the last few nights up here, so a wee bit early yet although the nest building has started for some.
Title: Re: Look at the [blue] tits on this!! Post by: RED-DOG on April 30, 2012, 12:15:24 PM I've been finding eggshells for a fortnight, and there was a hen blackbird feeding a youngster on the lawn yesterday.
Title: Re: Look at the [blue] tits on this!! Post by: RioRodent on May 01, 2012, 07:18:39 AM First thing this morning I spotted 7 open mouths and one egg in the nest. At 0628 the final chick popped out and mum promptly ate the shell.
Title: Re: Look at the [blue] tits on this!! Post by: RED-DOG on May 01, 2012, 08:40:43 AM First thing this morning I spotted 7 open mouths and one egg in the nest. At 0628 the final chick popped out and mum promptly ate the shell. Being a day or so behind his siblings will put that chick at such a disadvantage. He will always be smaller, weaker and less savvy. When I was breeding birds I used to remove each egg as it was laid and replace it with a fake, then when she laid the last one I would replace the others. That way, they all hatch out together. Title: Re: Look at the [blue] tits on this!! Post by: RioRodent on May 01, 2012, 02:02:33 PM The Proud Father has been conspicuous by his absence today (and probably yesterday afternoon)... she will have her work cut if he doesn't re-appear!!
Title: Re: Look at the [blue] tits on this!! Post by: RioRodent on May 04, 2012, 11:16:38 AM The Proud Father has been conspicuous by his absence today (and probably yesterday afternoon)... she will have her work cut if he doesn't re-appear!! Indeed he did not re-appear and it was clearly too much for her, trying to feed them all and keep them warm. Over the last couple of days all of the chicks have died. Title: Re: Look at the [blue] tits on this!! Post by: Rod Paradise on May 04, 2012, 01:13:13 PM The Proud Father has been conspicuous by his absence today (and probably yesterday afternoon)... she will have her work cut if he doesn't re-appear!! Indeed he did not re-appear and it was clearly too much for her, trying to feed them all and keep them warm. Over the last couple of days all of the chicks have died. That's sad Rio, guess something had the father & nesting time's a perilous one for the wee birds. Still, it's been a great thread, thanks for giving us all the chance to enjoy it, and here's looking forward to next year. Title: Re: Look at the [blue] tits on this!! Post by: millidonk on May 04, 2012, 01:29:22 PM The Proud Father has been conspicuous by his absence today (and probably yesterday afternoon)... she will have her work cut if he doesn't re-appear!! Indeed he did not re-appear and it was clearly too much for her, trying to feed them all and keep them warm. Over the last couple of days all of the chicks have died. Norrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. Horriffic scenes. Title: Re: Look at the [blue] tits on this!! Post by: ManuelsMum on May 04, 2012, 10:25:17 PM Popped my mini DVR (The £10 things you get for sports off Ebay) out with their noms today, the shots are ok. Had to slow it down by half. The second one is the boy, comes demanding food daily. He sometimes flies off with it (to the nest presumably, do males feed the young?)
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZkeCqWJcb6M Title: Re: Look at the [blue] tits on this!! Post by: Karabiner on May 05, 2012, 12:03:25 AM I was really looking forward to a happy ending :(
Title: Re: Look at the [blue] tits on this!! Post by: ManuelsMum on May 25, 2012, 12:33:21 AM Popped my mini DVR (The £10 things you get for sports off Ebay) out with their noms today, the shots are ok. Had to slow it down by half. The second one is the boy, comes demanding food daily. He sometimes flies off with it (to the nest presumably, do males feed the young?) YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZkeCqWJcb6M Lens angle was a bit narrow, attached one of these (very good for mobile phone cameras that have the same problem) for £1 http://compare.ebay.co.uk/like/370517178223?var=lv<yp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&var=sbar&adtype=pla quite pleased with the results YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28NXUcUQ_vg |