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Post by jennywren on Apr 2, 2009 22:00:20 GMT 1
Oh Biggy you clever thing  - now I know why I have been totally COVERED yes COVERED in bites - I thought it was midges but mystery solved I noticed after I had been messing with the box that there were masses of little flies on it which I had obviously disturbed I counted over 50 bites at the last count and used half a bottle of TCP already Thank you Biggy I thought if not midges then it was fleas  |
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Post by Sleepy on Apr 2, 2009 22:11:54 GMT 1
I remember that Jenny--from last year--I think you had a photograph of them-- When the birds have flown the nest do you clean the box out or do you just leave it for them for the following year? I remember once when we had Blue Tits nesting and they had flown the nest I 'looked;' in it and discovered a dead 'gosling' (is that the word I use?) it was flea/black flies ridden--I scrubbed the Box but the Bluetits never returned the following year. I often wonder what the correct thing is to do when a box has been used. I think you mean fledgling. Although maybe you did find a dead baby goose in your bluetits box  ;D |
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Post by jennywren on Apr 3, 2009 6:37:39 GMT 1
The flies WERE black - oh dear not going near it again it can stay dirty inside - I dont know how they survived the winter then
Ugh <upchuck>
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Post by maggyd on Apr 3, 2009 12:01:53 GMT 1
Its a wonder the birds haven t eaten them jennyw !! the tits seem to be round our box all year round feeding on something! I always thought they were eating spiders!! mind yo O>H. said this morning when I told him about your bites that he had cleaned it out!! I didnt see him!!! |
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Post by Biggles on Apr 3, 2009 21:36:30 GMT 1
 I found this today when trimming the Conifer Tree--It is an old nest but what bird would make one like that? BTW--Maggs I have Posted a couple of replies on this Board today-but now-- non of them are showing--Gremlins? That is probally why you might have thought I had gone "Quiet" Now --My smilies are not showing!! |
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Post by maggyd on Apr 3, 2009 21:52:58 GMT 1
Could be a black bird Biggs cant quite make it out is it straw or can I see mud? I posted a couple of replies that wouldnt go as well something to do with the server it said ! I couldnt go back and retrieve them and couldnt be bothered to type them out again there is gremlins on here somewhere!! |
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Post by jennywren on Apr 3, 2009 22:01:15 GMT 1
It's not the Three New Cherubs is it  we isnt causing gremlins is we |
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Post by Biggles on Apr 3, 2009 22:06:15 GMT 1
Never thought of that  -- The nest is made of Mud and is about 4-5" in diameter and very smooth inside.--No fleas or Flies thanks Goodness-Bigs |
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Post by maggyd on Apr 3, 2009 22:48:05 GMT 1
It's not the Three New Cherubs is it we isnt causing gremlins is we Not unless you have pointy ears and get mad when wet jennyw  No its the pro-boards they have been playing up for over a week now we have all been effected to some extent !! it seems to pick odd ones out to harrass!!  |
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Post by maggyd on Apr 3, 2009 22:49:18 GMT 1
Never thought of that -- The nest is made of Mud and is about 4-5" in diameter and very smooth inside.--No fleas or Flies thanks Goodness-Bigs Well Im no expert but Id say that is some sort of house martin!! ;D |
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Post by jasmine on Apr 4, 2009 9:09:09 GMT 1
Have spotted a woodpecker on the peanut feeder for the past few days. He stays quite a while but he is very timid if there is movement. This morning I saw him arrive and he hops up the bird table pole and then hops across to the peanut feeder. Was wondering how he managed to land on the feeder, now I know, he doesn't!
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Post by ladygardener on Apr 4, 2009 12:32:54 GMT 1
How absolutely fantastic Jasmine, bet that made your day.  They're such lovely birds, bet you feel privledged to have him come visit.. My Daughter Ruth used to have one come into her garden all the time. I'd see him when I was visiting. I must ask her does he still come round. |
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Post by jasmine on Apr 4, 2009 16:00:56 GMT 1
I was amazed he came so close to the house. He drives OH mad with his tap tapping early in the morning but it doesn't bother me.  |
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Post by ladygardener on Apr 4, 2009 16:58:25 GMT 1
It would'nt bother me either Jasmine, not if it's a little bird and not a noisy neighbour.  |
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Post by jasmine on Apr 4, 2009 17:26:07 GMT 1
I agree LG! |
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Post by maggyd on Apr 4, 2009 18:43:07 GMT 1
I wish the woodpeckers would come to my garden I only ever saw one once a couple of years ago ! there was snow on the ground and I think he must have been very hungry to visit! he was on a small bird table right at the bottom of the garden as soon as we moved to get the camera he was gone in a flash. |
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Post by maggyd on Apr 4, 2009 18:45:36 GMT 1
Our little visitor was back again this morning and she let e get really close she wasnt worried I know she saw me ;D I think she wants some breakfast!!   |
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Post by petal on Apr 4, 2009 18:55:01 GMT 1
Maggy,lovely photo , we had blue tits nesting in our neighbors garden, but they still visit the table for food, we have pigeons in our tree, i think they have a nest at the top, we always put lots of food on the table for then all, i will try to get some photo's of them ,but whenever i get my camera they disappear,?
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Post by maggyd on Apr 4, 2009 19:03:08 GMT 1
I know petal but Ive started to leave mine on the dresser so I can get it quickly. Im not sure about the doves nesting!! Im sure they raid the nests! we have a leylandi type tree in the next doors garden, the birds nest in but when one of the doves went in last year the blackbirds were going crazy!! I got the brush and whacked the tree I know you should leave nature alone but I hate it when I see the smaller birds being bullied. |
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Post by jasmine on Apr 4, 2009 19:21:14 GMT 1
Lovely photos Maggy. Blue tits are just such little characters and very fiesty for such small creatures.
I found with the woodpecker that the smallest movement from inside the house meant it flew away.
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Post by jennywren on Apr 4, 2009 19:30:56 GMT 1
What wonderful photos Maggy - she is a cheeky little bird isnt she In the woods today I saw masses of blue tits - seemed everywhere  |
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Post by maggyd on Apr 4, 2009 21:09:32 GMT 1
Their all very busy nesting arent they I watch the poor little male he looks as if he is getting smaller and this little lady gets bigger everyday!! she is soo cheeky my sisters couldnt get over her the other day she kept coming back and sitting on the door handle watching us! and its a regular occurance now ! I know she will come while Im having my breakast and again in the afternoon. |
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Post by ladygardener on Apr 5, 2009 8:15:34 GMT 1
How fab it is Maggie, those are great pictures. I have 2 little blue tits who visit my garden but they're here and gone in a flash they dont linger at all. |
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Post by jad on Apr 5, 2009 9:51:39 GMT 1
Great pictures Maggy, she seems so tame, we have different birds that come into our garden but they are not as tame as that one.
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Post by Biggles on Apr 6, 2009 20:36:58 GMT 1
I have been watching a pair of Blackbirds collecting 'bits and pieces' from the garden for nest making--One of them had a long type of straw/grass in its beak--I didn't think it could fly off with it but sure enough it did!!
I am hoping they are building the nest somewhere near--
I also saw a Blue Tit exploring the outside of one of my nest boxes---so fingers crossed it might take up residence.
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