Old nest wasn't used in Tit box

[Big D]

My nesting box was visited by Blue Tits last year for a few weeks and they built up a new nest in it. Howwever something must have frightened them as they never used the box after all their hard work. My dilemma is should I leave the perfect nest they've built or clean it out completely for this year? Will the nest attract birds to it or frigten them away?

[SheffieldLass]

They will use a nest box with the old nest left in. They will also use a nest box with the nest taken out. Usually the advice is to remove the old nest as it may harbour pests and diseases. Also the new layer of nest on top will raise the level which might make it easier to be predated. On the other hand a bird may be roosting in it and getting some useful insulation from the nest during the cold weather.

If it were me, I'd wait around at dusk, watching the box, for a few evenings, to see whether it was being used as a roost. If it doesn't appear to be, then to remove the nest. If it is being used, to leave the nest.

I have a different problem ..... I moved into my house in late autumn. The previous owners had left a used blue tit box on the ground next to my front door (nest inside). I had just left the box there, but noticed the other night that a blue tit is using it as a roost. Not a very safe place as it is on the ground. I had intended screwing it up on the wall, but hadn't got round to it. I'm now wondering when I should do it. I'm not sure whether the blue tit will recognise its roost box in the new position and take to it straight away, or whether it will go off and look for another spot, which could be a bad thing for it in this cold weather. Its mate sleeps in a hole nearby under my eaves.

The box unfortunately does not have a removable bit to remove the nest, so that one will have to remain anyway as I can't get it out.

[Dave66]

Hi Big D
I moved into my house 8 years ago.There was a box fitted under the eaves on the side of the house. This box has never been cleaned out but the blue tits use it every year, sometimes twice a year.

Dave.

[RKB]

The idea that you 'need' to clean boxes out is a myth. Used nests usually compost down to very little during winter (as insects eat them), making a useful base for new nests as tits in surburs often don't have enough nesting material (moss) at hand for the base. Old nests are also a valuable habitat for overwintering insects. yes, there will be parasites, but birds cope with re-using natural nest holes and it really wont make much difference - as soon as a new bird arrives at an empty box it brings its own load of fleas with it!

An unused nest will readily be used by a new pair - it will give them a head start. They wont be put off. What might have happened last year is that the female got killed during breeding.

Tits are adept at cleaning boxes themselves if they want to - they can carry out debris if they really want to (and they often do at natural holes).

The only exceptions are where a wood mouse has wintered in the box, when it will be full of leaves and needs emptying if tits are to use it. And it's also worth checking every several years just to check that material hasn't accumulated. But there's really no need to be fussy about nestboxes, and certainly no need to buy those rip-off 'sanitation' sprays that garden centres are trying to sell us now!

[Sprout]

really interesting to read all that.
at the week-end we were going to empty out a nest box we have which was used twice by a wren last year, when we're doing a general clean and tidy of the bird feeding areas. defo won't bother now, just in case there's a bird roosting in it, and also saves getting the ladder out to get up to it if it's unnecessary.

[Cowgirl]

Am so glad this thread been posted. Have just moved my bird box on recommendations by this forum (see thread improving privit hedge for birds). It is now high up on the side of the house & am hoping for guests as I know a bluetit nests under my eaves so hopefully it will be occupied this year either by a new family or the eaves nesting tit. Box is well away from eave nesting tit but on the same side of the house. I've been trying to lure nesters for two years now, maybe this year!

Anyway my question was, it's empty but should I try & 'help' ie fill it with nesting materiel stuff or leave them to fill it themselves?

[rossy]

cowgirl dont put any material in the birds will do that, and one other thing why the nest was not used is bees sometimes get in, the thing about cleaning the old nest is they are full of ticks ,fleas , mites and they can jump and your body heat which they will detect they will be on you so cover up . like what has been stated birds use the same nest year in year out in the wild , it would be intresting to hear what elizabeth does, as for the box on the floor put it up as soon as you can. rossy,

[Elizabeth B]

Originally Posted by Cowgirl

Anyway my question was, it's empty but should I try & 'help' ie fill it with nesting materiel stuff or leave them to fill it themselves?

A couple of years ago (for the first time in many years) we followed the RSPB's suggestion and put some wood shavings on the floor of one of our boxes - subsequently a bluetit didn't rest until she'd removed everything!

[Cowgirl]

Righto, will leave well alone!

Originally Posted by rossy

the thing about cleaning the old nest is they are full of ticks ,fleas , mites and they can jump and your body heat which they will detect they will be on you so cover up .

Too late! some mitey looking, creepy crawlies things became active (approx 2mm pale grey/brown elongated bodies) didn't get a good look because I squealed like a girl & slammed the lid back on! Thought of spraying with fly spray but resisted the temptation in case it put off the birds & they may have been harmless & tasty!

Birds will just have to decide if they want squatters or not.

[Elizabeth B]

Originally Posted by rossy

. like what has been stated birds use the same nest year in year out in the wild , it would be intresting to hear what elizabeth does , as for the box on the floor put it up as soon as you can. rossy,

The boxes are emptied in the autumn, thoroughly rinsed out with boiling water to kill off any remaining mites etc then kept in the house until they're dried out.