Thread: Are You Getting Enough

Happened to me 3(?) weeks ago. One nest, 3 eggs and Mum (or Dad) flying in and out.

Cava

This nest has only two eggs. Maybe it did have three, but the crows and magpies are always on the lookout for eggs. The Willy Wagtails buzz them constantly.

Regards
Paul

Originally Posted by Bushmiller

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I can't tell what they are Paul, but I certainly hope they aren't saw handles. However, they do indicate a "Yes" vote is on the cards?

Until I can spend all day in it on a regular basis, and the only thing that keeps me out is my own free will: No, I'm not getting enough shed time!

And you obviously need a little more yourself. At least you made a new friend though

I went away for four days and the Willy Wagtail nest was the result.: The penalty for having a three walled shed, which I am resigned to.

I rather like the Wagtails as they are a courageous bird quite happy to guard their territory against birds ten times their size (the wily old crow for one). I hope she will be able to hatch and raise a chick or two.

Regards
Paul

Paul I agree with you about the courageous little Williwgas!! My shed has seen a lot of generations being raised over the years. Once the eggs have hatched Mr and Mrs Willi will even do night shift during moonlit nights to feed their little families. Even though my shed time is sporadic they do get used to your movements and go about there busy business regardless of your presence. I also have a couple of swallows who nest right at the apex of the shed above the Panel Saw. And yeh they poop on the cast iron. Some thing (haven't figured out what) knocks down their nest twice usually during the nesting season. What ever it is would be large but I can't see how it would get access to do the demolition (and no, its not me with a broom handle)
Through winter due to the cold I hardly went outside. I tended to stay close to the fire and TV in the lounge room. I was constantly frustrated with myself for not doing anything much in the shed but the damn black dog had a good hold of me and took any enjoyment out of any activity I did out there. Thankfully with the change of season in the air motivation is gaining momentum and I am actually enjoying my time out there. I promised the eldest daughter, for a wedding present I would fit out her walk-in-robe in her new house. I bought the material home cleared off the Panel Saw and cut out the carcases, then started to cut out a carcase for a single drawer to go under my Mechanical Tool Chest to house air tools. Yes its a detraction from my main task but ......why do we do these things. If I hook into the Robe job that could be out of my hair in a few days....but no lets change the game altogether and do other things....damn brain, it just makes life more congested.
My head is filled with projects for the Wood Lathe as well as projects for the Metal Lathe to make Jigs and accessories for the Wood Turning activity.....then there is ....as well as....and if I still haven't got enough to do I want to start the restoration of the WWII Jeep. I think that old saying about a young man and Springtime for me this year is quite valid. I do know though that I am not young any more. The aches and pains remind me.

Originally Posted by FenceFurniture

I can't tell what they are Paul, but I certainly hope they aren't saw handles. However, they do indicate a "Yes" vote is on the cards?

Brett

The coloured bits of plastic? T-Handled Allen keys. Definitely not saw handles .

They are a cheapie set, but if you look directly under the light in the first pic in the first post you can see a blue and maroon set which are better quality.

Regards
Paul

Originally Posted by Bushmiller

This is the $64,000 question. Are you getting enough shed time and just exactly how do you evaluate that?

I don't pretend to have the answer, but a recent event led me to believe I am seriously neglecting my shed duties. I walked in yesterday and spotted something:

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A closer look shows that a nest has been made around a small spot light given to me by Luke Maddox before he returned to the US.

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And here is the culprit checking the coast is clear. I go in the shed and she flies out.

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My mate Will or is it Wilhelmina?

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I don't think she is very pleased with me, but I'm used to being outcast .

Regards
Paul

Consider yourself blessed to have a companion like that. There are no willy wagtails in my area. Maybe there once were, but those noisy miners gang up on most birds.

The really bizarre thing is that I feel I am intruding on her!

Fortunately I am a little bit pre-occupied building a mobile shed ( ) at the moment and only have to make infrequent visits into her habitat. It is a little more intrusive for her than in Chambezio's shed, which I have seen, as mine is only 2100mm high at the highest point. The Wagtail's nest is only just above my head and would be extremely intimidating for a bird her size. Actually, make that for a bird of any size, including Emus if not personally acquainted.

I managed to keep out of her feathers today and had a good run outside. I measure the success of the day at the moment in tape measures. Well, if Bhutan can measure their success in gross national happiness, I can measure with tape measures. How do I do that? Well I only lost one today.

Regards
Paul

Some years back the shed was visited by a bird I hadn't seen before. My Readers Digest Bird book identified her as a Chat. About the size of a Starling but plump. Light Grey in colour with a crimson beak. She was very skittish and would fly out as soon as I would enter the shed. She was determined to nest in a fruit tin which seemed way too small for her but she did and raised 3 chicks. To help her with her nerves I stood an 8 X 4 sheet of board in front of her so she couldn't see me enter the shed so she had some peace. For such a plain looking bird she had the most beautiful song
Nature, right in my own back yard.
Paul, that Hardwood you delivered is the next job to start when the daughter's Robe is finished. How long has it been?

Originally Posted by chambezio

Paul, that Hardwood you delivered is the next job to start when the daughter's Robe is finished. How long has it been?

I'm fairly certain it was this century. No older than that! What are you intending for it?

Regards
Paul

Paul I intend using them as frame panels for a drawer unit on castors as an island bench in the kitchen. Up until now the boss has been very patient with me because it is up to the 3 drawers rolling in their carcase. I need to make up the panels then mount them and its done....its only taken me 3 years to get to this stage. Procrastination reigns supreme in my mixed up brain. I will put up some photos as I get into it again. The drawers were made from some wide Oregon boards from 2 braced and ledged house doors retrieved from the house we demolished to rebuild into something better

Turns out there were three eggs. I used a mirror on an extendable arm to check out the nest. I must have missed one!

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Regards
Paul

Originally Posted by Bushmiller

Turns out there were three eggs. I used a mirror on an extendable arm to check out the nest. I must have missed one!

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so are you now officially an honourary grandfather?

if so, congratulations !