Blue tits!

[muddyfeet]

Have a pair of blue-tits taking up residence in the tit-box in the garden - first time in 3 years!

Need some advice though - when the young family vacate the box later in the spring, do I need to clear the old nest out of the box?

Thanks,

muddyfeet

[Wild-Woman]

If it was me, I think I'd leave it incase they have more than one brood.

[muddyfeet]

Originally Posted by Wild-Woman

If it was me, I think I'd leave it incase they have more than one brood.

Thanks for the advice Wild-Woman, will leave well alone!!

muddyfeet

[Wild-Woman]

I'd clean it out just before the onset of Autumn so that the box is available as a roost...sometimes to several wrens during the winter months.

[aeshna5]

Blue Tits are usually single brooded (2 broods are very rare in UK, but apprently more common on the continent) which is why they lay so many eggs (literally putting all their eggs in 1 basket!)- up to 13; higher numbers usually the result of 2 females laying in the same nest.

[shei111]

Yes doubtful they will start nesting yet, ive had great tits and blue tits just checking the boxes out , but their not taking nesting material in. sheila

[Wild-Woman]

Let's just hope the Blue Tits have a more successful year than last year.

[Picidae]

Originally Posted by muddyfeet

Have a pair of blue-tits taking up residence in the tit-box in the garden - first time in 3 years!

Need some advice though - when the young family vacate the box later in the spring, do I need to clear the old nest out of the box?

Thanks,

muddyfeet

They won't be nesting in it yet - Tits often use empty boxes as overnight roost boxes over the winter - if you clean it out during the day, you won't be disturbing them - sometimes Tits show early 'signs' of nesting by taking material to boxes this time of year, but this is thought to be pre-mating ritual/territorial behaviour.

[barquar]

Do the RSPCA say August or September for cleaning out Nest boxes, Is this becauce they may do a second brood.
Barquar

[Picidae]

Originally Posted by barquar

Do the RSPCA say August or September for cleaning out Nest boxes, Is this becauce they may do a second brood.
Barquar

Ideally the annual clean should be in October/November - Tits will often have a second brood if the earlier failed - not sure what the RSPCA's reasoning is, unless they are thinking smaller mammals will move in to nest after the tits have flown?

Its worth remembering to place Tit boxes in an area that doesn't face direct sun- heat will dehydrate the chicks causing fatalities - and away from feeding stations and each other

Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust:Nest box fact sheet

Also ensure any boxes are thoroughly dry before hanging up - damp is hard to get rid of and can lead to pneumonia in brooders and their chicks!
No chemicals should be used, just boiling water to kill parasites etc.

Now isn't the best time to clean boxes out as Tits do start to look for nest sites from Jan onwards even though they are not nesting yet. If they are using them for winter roosts, I would think late afternoon would be a good time for this last minute cleaning, while they're on a pre-evening food foray.