Nestbox clear-out?

[pressld2]

Hi all,

Remember this chap?



He and his missus (or her and her ol' man - can't tell the sexes apart) were in and out of the nest box constantly back in April but haven't seen them go anywhere near it for more than three weeks now. How long should I leave it before cleaning out the box? Is it too late for another nest this year?

Dave P.

[Lincs Yellowbelly]

Not to late at all, infact i believe it's illegal to empty a nestbox before Oct or Nov

[pressld2]

Thanks for that Lincs, you've kept me out of jail I was thinking of getting the ladder out tomorrow but I'll leave well alone now.

Dave P.

[Bramble]

Blue tits are so bad at nesting! They nest every year without fail in the most innovative places and then.... nothing. I'm amazed there are any left I love to see them removing the moss from the lawn though!

[JeffH]

Originally Posted by Lincs Yellowbelly

Not to late at all, infact i believe it's illegal to empty a nestbox before Oct or Nov

Here's an extract from the BTO (British Trust for Ornithology) website dealing with this topic:-

"What to do if the nest has been abandoned

Unfortunately, not all nests are successful. Some may be abandoned by the parents or attacked by predators. If you do find what looks like an abandoned nest, you may be tempted to remove the contents in an attempt to clean the box out for other birds. However, under bird protection law (DoE Licence WLF1000068), it is actually illegal to clean out nest boxes during the breeding season, from 1st February to 31st July, in case active nests are inadvertently disturbed. If you do want to clean out the box at the end of the season, wait until the autumn when you can be sure that it is no longer being used....."

JeffH

[richardkm]

Some years ago, a neighbour of mine noted that the blue tits in his garden has totally abandoned the nest. When he peeped inside he saw that the chicks were all dead. He removed some of the nesting material and asked for my help. Using my microscope, we found small creatures at a high density. I photographed them and sent the pic to BBC Wildlife Magazine, who published the pic and identified the creature as a larva of one of the lice that can infest nests and opined that they were probably the cause of the adults deserting.

For this reason, it is important to clean out the nest boxes in the autumn and go over the interiors with a blow lamp.

[JeffH]

Originally Posted by richardkm

For this reason, it is important to clean out the nest boxes in the autumn and go over the interiors with a blow lamp.

That's an excellent suggestion Richard and so obvious now you mention it - I've struggled for years to get my nestboxes clean each Autumn but never thought of that - thank you.

Jeff

[richardkm]

Originally Posted by JeffH

That's an excellent suggestion Richard and so obvious now you mention it - I've struggled for years to get my nestboxes clean each Autumn but never thought of that - thank you.

Jeff

I take no credit for the suggestion, I've read it in a book or magazine somewhere

[thunder]

Quote
For this reason, it is important to clean out the nest boxes in the autumn and go over the interiors with a blow lamp.
Endquote

But do be careful not to set fire to box and/or tree or house that it's fixed to!

henrya

[kshotton45]

I have made 5 new nest boxes for this year, ( I put them up last year). Three quarters of an inch wood. I’m a Toolmaker by trade, so I machined the wood with precision. They are luxury , damp proof, wind proof apartments. Just in case I got overwhelmed with tenants, I put this old box up for any overspill. Of the new ones only one is occupied ( I shall try to get some photos this weekend), So why is this twice renovated, draughty, leaky slum so attractive to this Tit !!??
It may be a case of Location, Location, Location, as it is sited in a palm tree., ( for the gardeners – Trachycarpus Fortunii ( Chusan Palm, Windmill Palm)), - the palm has in the past had 2 Wrens and a Song Thrush nesting in it. Not far away, - in my shed, I’ve had Robins and Wrens nesting in various places. One notable nest was by a Wren and it was woven into a hank of rope that was hanging up, this was probably the prettiest nest that I have ever found, this was many years ago before I was into photography.
Why don’t birds nest where they’re supposed to? Any theories on getting successful occupancy? We feed them, leave nesting material out for them, build them a home and all they do is live in a hovel !! Perhaps they’re independent and in love !!!!