Removing box nests

[crates]

I used to remove the old nests and clean boxes prior to winter. Last couple of years removal has been in February after reading article advising to leave for overwintering birds (wrens etc). This past week one of the boxes is visited regularly by blue tits (checking possible nesting site? - eating insects?). Should I still remove the old nest and clean box? Thanks

[healfdan]

Although nest hygiene is important, I think the birds will choose this site on merit; such as location, security,availability of food etc. Let's face it many birds use the same holes in woodland trees year after year without intervention from we humans. My advice leave it.

[Blizzard]

Originally Posted by crates

I used to remove the old nests and clean boxes prior to winter. Last couple of years removal has been in February after reading article advising to leave for overwintering birds (wrens etc). This past week one of the boxes is visited regularly by blue tits (checking possible nesting site? - eating insects?). Should I still remove the old nest and clean box? Thanks

I do mine in Autumn but I wait for a nice sunny, windy day and get them emptied, scalded, dried and back up again the same day with a handful of clean untreated wood shavings in the bottom.

As healfdan said, natural nest sites are not cleaned out and get re-used. However I'd be tempted to give it a quick clean out if you get the chance so long as you can get it up again the same day.

[crates]

Thanks both.

[Elizabeth B]

We always clean out our boxes in the autumn - as suggested by the RSPB. It's certainly not too late to clean yours now, and this is what I would do.