Look at the [blue] tits on this!!

[RioRodent]

Eight eggs this morning.

[RED-DOG]

Eight eggs this morning.

Me too.

[typhoon13]

Eight eggs this morning.

Me too.

pmsl

[RioRodent]

Incubation appears to have started in earnest today, we've just seen the male bring her lunch.

[RioRodent]

All done at eight eggs.. incubation definitely under way.

It may go a bit quiet for 10 - 12 days now!

 

[RED-DOG]

All done at eight eggs.. incubation definitely under way.

It may go a bit quiet for 10 - 12 days now!

 

It's amazing to think that such a complex creature can form in such a short period.

[RioRodent]

 

[RioRodent]

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 -



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.....

[RioRodent]

The Cunning Plan..

What I need to do is modify it with some 1" mesh chicken wire, that'll keep the bastards starlings out.

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...

Click to see full-size image.

This kept them out, but of course it didn't stop the mealworms climbing out or the bastard starlings sticking their scrawny necks through and eating to their hearts content.

Obviously I am far more intelligent than a starling, so it wasn't long before Cunning Plan v2 was in development..

[RED-DOG]

I'll have a fiver on the starlings.

[RioRodent]

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 -

Click to see full-size image.

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.

[RioRodent]

I'll have a fiver on the starlings.

You under-estimate me... I will prevail!!!!

[RioRodent]

Cunning Plan v2.1..

Click to see full-size image.

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."

[RioRodent]

Muahahahaha... MUAHAHAHAHAH

[RED-DOG]

Megalomaniac.