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Springwatch with Hellsbells


I know it’s spring because we have a wasp nest being built in the loft.

Just waiting a few weeks to get some insecticide in there. No point yet as another queen coming out of hibernation could just make their nest in our loft again.
 
West_Winger said:
I know it’s spring because we have a wasp nest being built in the loft.

Just waiting a few weeks to get some insecticide in there. No point yet as another queen coming out of hibernation could just make their nest in our loft again.
Click to expand...
How can you tell? Can you see it?

My office is in the attic and we must get at least one wasps nest per year. We had two last year, although they didn’t bother us much. This year I’ve had about five wasps in the office already - they’re coming through the eaves door or the window (chewing through the wooden frame the striped twats.

Luckily next door is a pest controller.
 
HellsBells said:
How can you tell? Can you see it?

My office is in the attic and we must get at least one wasps nest per year. We had two last year, although they didn’t bother us much. This year I’ve had about five wasps in the office already - they’re coming through the eaves door or the window (chewing through the wooden frame the striped twats.

Luckily next door is a pest controller.
Click to expand...
I saw a few flying around at near the guttering outside then one of them walked onto a roof slate and in the gap between them. Hate the stripy bastards me. Bees are fine but wasps can fuck off.
 
A pair of wood pigeons have started to make a nest on the wall in the back yard. It's underneath some branches that overhang a bush from next door.

There's about a dozen little twigs in a vague circle. I hope they put a bit more effort in or I can't see it being much of a success.
 
Class videos and pictures @HellsBells Looking forward to the updates 😎
The Raven said:
A pair of wood pigeons have started to make a nest on the wall in the back yard. It's underneath some branches that overhang a bush from next door.

There's about a dozen little twigs in a vague circle. I hope they put a bit more effort in or I can't see it being much of a success.
Click to expand...

Don't get your hopes up mind 😁

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HellsBells said:
Spurred on by the Feed the Birds thread, I thought I’d share a few pics and videos of a pair of blue tits who have decided to nest in my front garden bird box.

This is George and Mildred:

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They’ve been building a nest since mid March. Mildred does most of it, and spent hours taking stuff in, then out again then back in. She’s very fussy. At one point I wondered if she was bringing it in and another blue tit was stealing it, because it wasn’t getting any bigger.

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Finally last week the nest started to look like it was taking shape.

She even brought in what looks like red feathers at the weekend - no idea where she got them from:

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On Monday she spent most of the day making sure the nest “cup” was perfect.


And then finally, yesterday, we woke up to see this:


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I’ve been Googling a lot - apparently blue tits lay one egg every day, first thing in the morning. They lay up to 10 eggs, then incubate them for 16 days, at which point George will bring caterpillars to feed Mildred while she sits. George could have a few lasses on the go at once apparently.

The babies will be ready to leave the nest after three weeks. I’m not getting hopes up, as many will die, but it’s quite fun watching them. I’ll post updates as we go.

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Superb 🙌
The Black Sock said:
You mind me asking where you positioned it? We get loads in our garden and have a feeding station, bird table etc which is constantly used. Put a bird box up 3 years back in a quieter part of the garden on the fence between 2 large conifers but haven’t had a sniff of any birds wanting to move in.
Click to expand...

Best initial advice a North facing hole.
West_Winger said:
I know it’s spring because we have a wasp nest being built in the loft.

Just waiting a few weeks to get some insecticide in there. No point yet as another queen coming out of hibernation could just make their nest in our loft again.
Click to expand...

Put a ladder up during the day.
Wait until dusk and get some wasp powder. Get up and a few puffs, next day you will have sorted.
Saves getting the pest controller out.
 
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HellsBells said:
It’s on the fence only about eye height in between a tree and a bush. We had it last year and had a load of birds visit it, but no nesting. This year I got a hole plate to go over the entrance and make it smaller and I think that made the difference, as we have a few squirrels and great tits around. It’s 25mm and I can’t believe they can fit but they do.
Click to expand...
How much does a decent nest camera system cost, any recommendation?
Something grandkids might like.
 
HellsBells said:
Spurred on by the Feed the Birds thread, I thought I’d share a few pics and videos of a pair of blue tits who have decided to nest in my front garden bird box.

This is George and Mildred:

Logon or register to see this image

You must be logged on to see media items

They’ve been building a nest since mid March. Mildred does most of it, and spent hours taking stuff in, then out again then back in. She’s very fussy. At one point I wondered if she was bringing it in and another blue tit was stealing it, because it wasn’t getting any bigger.

You must be logged on to see media items

Finally last week the nest started to look like it was taking shape.

She even brought in what looks like red feathers at the weekend - no idea where she got them from:

You must be logged on to see media items

On Monday she spent most of the day making sure the nest “cup” was perfect.


And then finally, yesterday, we woke up to see this:


Logon or register to see this image


I’ve been Googling a lot - apparently blue tits lay one egg every day, first thing in the morning. They lay up to 10 eggs, then incubate them for 16 days, at which point George will bring caterpillars to feed Mildred while she sits. George could have a few lasses on the go at once apparently.

The babies will be ready to leave the nest after three weeks. I’m not getting hopes up, as many will die, but it’s quite fun watching them. I’ll post updates as we go.

Click to expand...
Excellent
I've got a little Wren nesting in the bird box.

Toppa little thing. Busy and sings it's heart out
 
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We've had a couple of great tits nesting in one of our boxes over the last 2 weeks.

The black birds have nested in our bamboo and layed a couple of eggs. Not seen the mam for a few days, but heard the eggs can be layed for 2 weeks before they need to be incubated.
 
Skippy said:
Found a dead greenfinch on the path yesterday. Not a mark on it, but stone cold dead, like it had just given up.
Click to expand...
I found a wood pigeon the same. I thought it might have been bird flu.
 
I built these and put them up in the trees just as you drive into our village, first lockdown.
All are in use by Great Tits and Blue Tits.

Easy to make.
Need to clean them out every autumn.

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BRMC said:
We've had a couple of great tits nesting in one of our boxes over the last 2 weeks.

The black birds have nested in our bamboo and layed a couple of eggs. Not seen the mam for a few days, but heard the eggs can be layed for 2 weeks before they need to be incubated.
Click to expand...

Lots of young have hatched as the Blackbirds are now collecting food.
I help them along with suet pellets in this dry weather. They get incredibly tame as they know you are not a threat.

Song Thrushes will nest as early as February with Blackbirds just a little later as early as March.

Our Nuthatch has taken up the same hole in tree as it did last year.
Fascinating to watch.
 
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