Nesting tree sparrows

[Redrob]

Is it a bit early for Tree Sparrows to start nest building?

I have been watching a pair of tree sparrows goin in and out of one of my bird boxes over the last few day. This morning they started to take in nesting material.
Living in the north east I thought this may be a little early.

[artdemole]

Spring is in the air so when it warms up they get the calling..

[Dogghound]

They usually start to lay in Late March into early April. I have seen activity like this for the past month, with small amounts of nest material being taken into holes. They often actually select nest boxes for breeding in the Autumn and will roost in them over the winter. When they start adding green leaves they will be close to laying.

[Redrob]

Many years ago I would have been sort of disappointed to have Sparrows taking up residence in my bird boxes.
These days it's a difference story! Due there drastic decline, I am quite excited to see what happens. I have a sparrow communal bird box (3 boxes in 1) on the back of my home under the eves, but for some reason these tree sparrows still prefer the box in the photo.
The communal box was used successfully last year by a pair of coal tits.
It was so unusual, coal tits started nesting in one end, blue tits started nesting in the other end of the box, and wasps occupied the middle box.
The blue tits built there nest and left, the wasps didn't hang around either for some reason, thank god! But success for the the coal tits!

I've got my fingers crossed for these tree sparrows!!!!!

[Phoebe]

I have Tree Sparrows building a nest in one of my boxes with a camera in. It's very exciting to watch.

[nightshade]

You lucky lot I have a Sparrow triple S.E. facing which has always been favourite around here but they are all across the road under the eaves of another house.

[Phoebe]

This is my nest box with a Tree Sparrow looking out notice the other half looking down



This is the inspection:



This is the pair in the box:





I have more of the nest itself and how it is progressing and will post them later.

Fingers crossed that they stay.

[nightshade]

Very nice, I hope the season goes well for you and the sparrows.

[Phoebe]

Hi redrob

Have you registered your boxes with the Tree Sparrow Conservation? They are Red Status. So it is worth registering.

[Redrob]

Hi Phoebe
No I havent registered my boxes. Where do I do that?

Dave (Redrob)