Titbox siting advice please

[roghawk]

For the past 4 years we have had Bluetits nesting in a box mounted on the wall outside our lounge window. This year we have replaced it with an almost identical one with a camera hooked up to the T.v.a A Bluetit has built a beautiful nest with 9 eggs so far and we are thoroughly enjoying watching it.
We want to put up the old box on the same wall but the best place is at the same level and only about 2 feet away from the other one. Can anyone advise if this is a good idea or are we likely to frighten off the current occupants? Do tits like a bit of space?
It seems a shame to waste the box.
Any help appreciated,
Roghawk

[valleyforge]

Hi roghawk and welcome to the WAB forum.

Placing a second nestbox just 2 feet from an existing and active nest site is likely to unsettle the parent birds to the point where they may abandon the box altogether.

Tits are not communal nesters and like as much space around them as possible.

If you can't use the spare box yourself, perhaps you could consider giving it to one of your neighbours ... then at least you'd have the pleasure of knowing that you'd perhaps helped another brood in your neighbourhood?

[nigel_b]

Is it a good idea: No, I don't think so. Will it scare off the existing pair: I'm not sure but why risk it?

Possibly the limiting factor is the food supply when the parents are trying to feed the young.

[Elizabeth B]

Originally Posted by roghawk

We want to put up the old box on the same wall but the best place is at the same level and only about 2 feet away from the other one. Can anyone advise if this is a good idea or are we likely to frighten off the current occupants? Do tits like a bit of space?
It seems a shame to waste the box.
Any help appreciated,
Roghawk

Not a good idea at all - sparrows like communal family life, but not tits. Don't you have anywhere else in the garden for the old box?

[RKB]

Two feet is a bit close, but you are not going to get two pairs of Blue Tits that close anyway, as they are territorial. But you might get a Great Tit in one and Blue Tit in the other. Being that close is liable to cause fights though, so I'd make it at least 10 feet.

It's a bit late for this year anyway, as most tits have alread started. You might be lucky and get a late brood though.

Another thing to consider is where your garden is. In suburbs/towns there is often very limited chick food and so overall success is quite low. If you get Tits in two boxes then that is double the demand for food and you might end up getting two broods that mostly die rather one brood that mostly survive.

You could maybe donate the box to an old folks' home, school etc, or just drive out into some farmland and nail it to a tree out of sight (5ft or higher), and then forget about it.

[Elizabeth B]

Originally Posted by RKB

You could maybe donate the box to an old folks' home, school etc, or just drive out into some farmland and nail it to a tree out of sight (5ft or higher), and then forget about it.

Or offer it on Freegle:

Freegle: Don't throw it away - give it away!

[roghawk]

Thanks for all your help Obviously not a good idea!