Bird Box Installation

[ColonelBlimp]

Hi all!

I'm wondering about getting one of these nest box cameras for Christmas, but I was wondering what my chances are of getting birds nesting in it if I put it up around then, as I thought they start sniffing out nesting places around now?

I'd love to see inside a nest!

[Brocker]

Hopefully there will be some good replies to your question. I am trying to do the same thing and will watch this thread for some advice. The only advice that I have been given so far is to make sure the box goes up now to give it a chance to 'weather' before the nesting season. I have placed one up high in a tree near to a feeding station and it has attracted a small amount of interest but as far as I am aware nothing has actually gone in it. I plan to put up another close by too.

[Lincs Yellowbelly]

I think you'll be fine, i've had them nesting in boxes put up as late as Mid-March, in fact I was once putting up a box, I'd got one screw in, then had to go and get something else, when I returned a Blue Tit was perched on the hole looking in with the ladders still next to it

[ColonelBlimp]

Thanks for the replies!

When do birds such as tits, sparrows etc. start to take an interest in searching out places? I know most of them start breeding mid-April or thereabouts but I wonder when they start to stop thinking about the cold and more about nice places to raise a family?

[Lincs Yellowbelly]

Probably at the start of spring, so late feb time

[The Black Rabbit]

Originally Posted by ColonelBlimp

Hi all!

I'm wondering about getting one of these nest box cameras for Christmas, but I was wondering what my chances are of getting birds nesting in it if I put it up around then, as I thought they start sniffing out nesting places around now?

I'd love to see inside a nest!

We're doing the same ColonelBlimp.
Though we already have a box in which was raised a 5 strong family of Blue Tits last year.

We put the box up in MARCH last year, and the birds were in within a week - but we were very lucky.

There is no right or wrong time to put up a box. The earlier the better generally (the winter is generally advised), to possibly hold a rooster during cold nights, but as you will gather from our March box, if the situation is right, and you've seen a pair looking, you can get away with putting it up very late.
If you're looking at a cam box, certainly earlier is best - as you'll then have plenty of time to iron out any teething problems such as focusing the lens etc... without any fear of disturbing any potential nestees!

As for situating the box - bear in mind where the sun will be in May for example and make sure the box won't get the full sun all day so it won't overheat.
Advisable to make sure te entrance is not facing the prevailing weather (S, W, SW in the UK) - so wind and rain don't chill the inside of the box.
Then make sure its cat proof (or as cat proof as you can get it).

Ours is on our exterior kitchen wall - the birds soon got very used to me and my girlfriend, sitting almost right under the box - this process took about 2 weeks.

Box cams. A veritable minefield.
Start at around £40 (no box) Handykam.com
Move through £80. (with box) Handykam.com
Top out at £250 ish, with all the extras.Boxwatch. homepage

Average price around £120.
Other sites to peruse:
Bird Box Cameras with Wireless Connection for PC, Web and TV by Enjoy Birds More
Nature Cameras
Gardenature - Bird box and wildlife cameras and accessories. > Main Section
Malcolm & Elizabeth's Bluetit Pages

Decide how much is in your budget. Whether you can afford high res colour and or infra red at night (that is pretty standard these days).
Whether you've got a box that can be adapted, or whether you'd like to buy a complete package (cam + box).
Decide if you want a wired set up, or a wireless.
The obvious choice is wireless, but this is a misnomer, as the wireless transmitter will probably need a power source. I'd go (most do I hear) for a wired set up.
Decide how much cable you'll need, to plug the cam (via the cable) into your tv (scart or av).
Decide whether you want a feed into your computer with another £40 adaptor, plus any extra money for relevant software, so you can transmit the feed on your website.
It all adds up!
But it seems VERY VERY worth it!

Hope that helps a bit.
DO check out those websites though.
Cheers
Doug

[Elizabeth B]

Originally Posted by ColonelBlimp

Hi all!

I'm wondering about getting one of these nest box cameras for Christmas, but I was wondering what my chances are of getting birds nesting in it if I put it up around then, as I thought they start sniffing out nesting places around now?

I'd love to see inside a nest!

There's still time yet! Although the RSPB suggest installing boxes in the autumn, they usually advertise their National Nest Box Week around February 14th (the date when folklore suggests that birds pair up)!

However if you put them up earlier you might get birds roosting in them - as some people I know have already seen (via box cams).

[ColonelBlimp]

Thanks again for the advice esp. The Black Rabbit!

I've got a budget of around £100 and I was looking at something like this DELUXE BIRD NESTING BOX HOUSE COLOUR CAMERA NEST CAM on eBay, also, Bird Baths Feeders Tables, Garden Plants, Home Garden (end time 29-Nov-07 17:45:36 GMT) which seems to be quite decent quality.

I am pretty certain that I've got birds roosting in some of the other boxes I've put up sans camera, as I've often seen them going in out (a bluetit spent about five minutes poking his/her head out of the box whilst cheeping )

[The Black Rabbit]

That looks pretty good Colonel!
I admit, I'm pretty cautious about ebay - but thats just my rather picky, pedantic, over cautious nonsense. Don't listen to me!

We're going for a quite basic handykam setup think, as I really can't justify spending over £100 (like you I assume) on the Blue Tits this year.
As it was they cost me an arm and a leg in live Waxworms and Mealworms last year!
Will be interesting to compare notes methinks.
Cheers
Doug

[Mike B]

Originally Posted by ColonelBlimp

Thanks for the replies!

When do birds such as tits, sparrows etc. start to take an interest in searching out places? I know most of them start breeding mid-April or thereabouts but I wonder when they start to stop thinking about the cold and more about nice places to raise a family?

It depends on the species. Tawny Owls for example, will start mapping out their territory in the December/January period. Herons and Ravens may start in February [although not in boxes]. Robins can start around March.
I would be interested to know if you have made any progress?