Blue tit nesting?

mikehoward · #1 (**permalink**) 28-03-2011, 08:05 PM

Hi, for the last couple of weeks a pair of blue tits have been showing interest in our nest box but as of yet have not started to put any neating material into it. Is it too late for them to start or is there still time?

Dogghound · #2 (**permalink**) 28-03-2011, 08:07 PM

Still plenty of time yet they will start nesting through April and May (depending on latitude, food availability, habitat quality etc). They are probably checking out the box prior to nesting, this can last several weeks.

mikehoward · #3 (**permalink**) 28-03-2011, 08:19 PM

Thanks for the quick reply Dogghound.

sophisticat · #4 (**permalink**) 01-04-2011, 11:27 PM

Our bluetits have been checking out the nest box since 20th Feb. It's a new one with a camera so we can actually keep an eye on them this year

We've had another box in the same position for 3 years, with successful nesting for the last 2, so it could be the same pair.

What amused us was that we'd put a tiny amount (and I mean, tiny!) of hay in the box to give them a start, and they meticulously removed every piece first, but over the last 10 days they've started collecting moss and the nest is taking shape now.

Elizabeth B · #5 (**permalink**) 02-04-2011, 09:52 AM

The RSPB suggest putting in a handful of wood shavings after cleaning the box. Our birds had always managed very well without this, but a few years ago we decided to try it with one box - and the female spent ages taking out every scrap!!!

sophisticat · #6 (**permalink**) 02-04-2011, 10:26 AM

Our new nestbox came with a small bag of shavings that had a label saying that bluetits would likely take it all out again

You think they'd be glad of a head-start

barquar · #7 (**permalink**) 02-04-2011, 10:58 AM

My bluetits have started to take nesting material in now. They have picked the box without a camera in.I have 2 camera nest boxes but the bluetits have ignored those,Although i believe that the pair nesting in my other box have pecked around the entrace holes so that they dont get occupied by other bluetits.
Barquar

Birdcam · #8 (**permalink**) 02-04-2011, 01:30 PM

Hi,

We have two boxes, both with cameras in, and both have Blue tits looking interested. The one box that has BT in every year is looking very slow with just a little in the bottom, however the light keeps flicking in the box and having trouble fixing it. The second box has been up three years and this is our first year of nesting. Was so excited, all week more material and looking quite deep. We went out for 3 hours today and on our return the box appears nearly empty?? I had to check I was looking at the correct box! Any ideas? Would another pair move in and take all material out before starting again??
Thanks.