What's in your nestbox?

[Phoebe]

Hi I would like to know what your nest boxes are attracting this year. It may be a little early but you never know.

I have a nestbox with a 32mm entrance and I don't know what it is likely to attract. Whether I should decrease the size or not... that is the question - lol

[Jim Ford]

I'd better get something in the owl box I put up last weekend - I almost fell off the ladder putting it up!

Jim

[Phoebe]

lol Jim, I hope so for their sake!

I'm beginning to think I would be better off putting up an owl box...

[Elizabeth B]

Originally Posted by Phoebe

Hi I would like to know what your nest boxes are attracting this year. It may be a little early but you never know.

I have a nestbox with a 32mm entrance and I don't know what it is likely to attract. Whether I should decrease the size or not... that is the question - lol

It's not too early here - our three boxes have been receiving "inspection visits" since early January. Yesterday was a lovely sunny day, and this seems to have given the birds some ideas!





These boxes (1 and 2) each have a 28mm hole - larger than the RSPB's suggestion, but we've found over the years that this is what our bluetits need. Box 3 has a 32mm hole (the right size for great tits here), but it's being visited by both blue and great tits at the moment.

[angelacooper]

Hi, I am in North Devon, we have lots of nest boxes and a lot of activity going on. One box has most of a nest built already - think it's a blue tit. Our boxes all have 32mm holes and we get both blue tits and great tits in them.

[rossy]

got great tits roosting in one box and knocking round the hole which they did when they nested 2 years ago so fingers crossed, also blue tits visiting the other box and they seem to be getting terratorial whenever any other blue tits turn up, hopefully they will use the boxes good luck , rossy

[Phoebe]

Originally Posted by Elizabeth B

It's not too early here - our three boxes have been receiving "inspection visits" since early January. Yesterday was a lovely sunny day, and this seems to have given the birds some ideas!





These boxes (1 and 2) each have a 28mm hole - larger than the RSPB's suggestion, but we've found over the years that this is what our bluetits need. Box 3 has a 32mm hole (the right size for great tits here), but it's being visited by both blue and great tits at the moment.

Hi Elizabeth, thanks for your reply, I know you have a lot to do with blue tits, it is warmer down south so good to see the birds in your boxes. I was unsure if 32mm was too large a hole but think I will wait and see. I do get nuthatches too so maybe they might use it.

Originally Posted by angelacooper

Hi, I am in North Devon, we have lots of nest boxes and a lot of activity going on. One box has most of a nest built already - think it's a blue tit. Our boxes all have 32mm holes and we get both blue tits and great tits in them.

angelacooper, great news to hear you have had both blue and great tits in your boxes, thanks that have given me some hope It is my first time with nest boxes - I don't want to be disappointed lol

Originally Posted by rossy

got great tits roosting in one box and knocking round the hole which they did when they nested 2 years ago so fingers crossed, also blue tits visiting the other box and they seem to be getting terratorial whenever any other blue tits turn up, hopefully they will use the boxes good luck , rossy

rossy, will keep my fingers crossed for you and hope you get a nest in your box. I will watch out for that behaviour hopefully it will give me a clue.

I don't really mind what bird uses my box I just want it to be used. It has a cctv camera in it so I keep looking and have just today noticed the shavings have been disturbed, not when I was watching unfortunatley. I had decided to move it but after that think I will wait a bit longer.

Thanks for your replies.

Anyone else got any reports on nestboxes?

[Kleftiwallah]

I've spent quite some time ensuring the entrance hole to my boxes have smooth sides and radiused inside and out (use a flapwheel). Last year was my first as a birdbox landlord and you could see the Tits plumage gradually getting more and more dishevelled throughout the season! Cheers, Tony.

[Elizabeth B]

Originally Posted by Kleftiwallah

I've spent quite some time ensuring the entrance hole to my boxes have smooth sides and radiused inside and out (use a flapwheel). Last year was my first as a birdbox landlord and you could see the Tits plumage gradually getting more and more dishevelled throughout the season! Cheers, Tony.

I think you'll find that the birds get much more scruffy as they raise their chicks - (it's a hard life bringing up young) - so don't be too disappointed if your birds still look dishevelled by the time fledging takes place, in spite of your care.

[shenk1]

If you want scruffy!
He looked like that before he had chicks(I say he because we all know a woman wouldn't let herself go like that)