Treecreeper question

[Blizzard]

I have a Treecreeper nestbox that I put up at this time last year. It wasn't used during the nesting season and when I checked it through the summer there was nothing more than the odd spider in it.

Whilst I was out today I suddenly wondered if it had been used for roosting so opened it up and there was a good 2 inch pile of droppings in the bottom .

My questions are:-

1. Would it be treecreepers roosting or could it be a different species? It just has two little openings against the tree trunk.

2. If it is, does this make it more likely that they might nest in it next year?

My feelings are that I will probably only be able to tell if it is treecreepers by watching the box to see what goes in and that it would make it more likely that whatever is using it now may well use it for nesting next year.

I'd love to hear what anyone else thinks.

[Wild-Woman]

You may have wrens roosting overnight. Sometimes many will roost together to share body warmth.

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by Wild-Woman

You may have wrens roosting overnight. Sometimes many will roost together to share body warmth.

It occurred to me too that Wrens could be another possibility.

[FUDGEY]

Treecrepers are a difficult species to get to use a nest box to breed. It could be one roosting or it could be any other bird that can fit through the hole for example a Wren like suggested or a member of the Tit family.

[Blizzard]

Thanks all. I can see a cold afternoon or morning spent kneeling in the snow with a sheet over me to see what goes in or out . I look better with a sheet over me anyway .

Wren is certainly a good possibility. I'm just happy that it's being of use to something.

Fudgey... I did think I might be on a hiding to nothing putting a box up for Treecreeper, especially as there is a lot of suitable natural nesting areas for them anyway. I live in hope that it might get used for nesting at some stage as I've positioned it so that it is easy to watch from a car in summer. (No room for a car at the moment because of the snow).

[RKB]

Possibly more likely to be a tit. They generally roost in small cavities than they nest in (less air to have to warm).

[Ladywell]

Treecreepers love bat boxes! I used to work at an outdoor centre where we had lots of bird and bat boxes. One year three of the bat boxes had treecreeper nests in them. Fledgings seem to like the back plate and go back up in the box if they feel threatened. Worth a try!

[Blizzard]

Originally Posted by RKB

Possibly more likely to be a tit. They generally roost in small cavities than they nest in (less air to have to warm).

I'm determined to find out so I'll certainly let everyone know when I do!

[Blizzard]

Originally Posted by Ladywell

Treecreepers love bat boxes! I used to work at an outdoor centre where we had lots of bird and bat boxes. One year three of the bat boxes had treecreeper nests in them. Fledgings seem to like the back plate and go back up in the box if they feel threatened. Worth a try!

If it's not Treecreepers roosting in the box then I'll give that a try. Worth having one anyway just for the bats! I'll have to look into them.

[Ladywell]

Very simple to make (sure you'll find something on line to guide you). The important thing is that the back plate needs to be rough to give bats (and hopefully, treecreepers) some grip to go up into the box. Good luck!