who lives in a house like this?

[actionfinch]

out in the woods trying to find the goldcrests i see the other day ( which i didnt ) but came across this up in the trees , never noticed it dont know who put it up there... but the main question is , who is it for ?
our feathers friends?
any help please...

[Ladywell]

I reckon it was put up for our feathered friends and has been modified by a grey squirrel!!

[RoyW]

Originally Posted by Ladywell

I reckon it was put up for our feathered friends and has been modified by a grey squirrel!!

Agreed. It's hard to know what species it was originally intended for, but the entrance hole has clearly been enlarged. Great Spotted Woodpecker is another possible culprit for enlarging the hole, when after chicks inside, but woodpeckers are just as likely (perhaps more likely?) to go in through the side of the box.

[mrbright]

Great spotted woodpeckers taking young? surely not.

[Gatekeeper]

Originally Posted by mrbright

Great spotted woodpeckers taking young? surely not.

Here's a clip from Youtube:

YouTube - Woodpecker attack on great tit nest box

[mrbright]

wow! thats amazing. i'm totally stunned, speechless too.
i was just using peanuts to attract them. hope my blue tit box is safe.

[Gatekeeper]

If there is a likelihood of woodpecker attack on a birdbox, it can help to fit a Nest Box Plate- a small square of metal, with the equivalent hole size cut out in the middle. I've made hundreds over the years, but they can usually be bought from most leading Birdbox retailers. Of course, this won't prevent a woodpecker going in through the side, but it will prevent it having a head-start.

[RoyW]

Perhaps I shouldn't have mentioned it - or the idiots from the 'Song Bird Survival Trust' (or whatever they call themselves) will be calling for a woodpecker cull soon!
I don't think that a woodpecker enlarged the hole in the OP anyway, it wouldn't need to be that big to let a woodpecker in, and looks more like it has been gnawedby rodents.

[Doggle Avaddit]

I really don't get this at all.

You provide an artificial environment for Great Tits to breed, resulting in the local Woodpeckers having an artificially increased food source.
You then complain that the Woodpeckers are eating your chicks and you would rather they wouldn't.

Just what is it you are trying to achieve?

[Gatekeeper]

Originally Posted by Doggle Avaddit

I really don't get this at all.

You provide an artificial environment for Great Tits to breed, resulting in the local Woodpeckers having an artificially increased food source.
You then complain that the Woodpeckers are eating your chicks and you would rather they wouldn't.

Just what is it you are trying to achieve?

Probably just to have a bit of fun birdwatching