Bird box inhabited

[mystin]

We have a bird box that has fallen from a tree during the winter and we placed it on our oil tank with a view to replacing it. This spring it has become inhabited despite only being about 5 feet off the ground. Is this OK? What should we do?

[Jandy]

If you're sure that there are birds nesting in the box, my instinct would be not to disturb it at all. but to surround it as much as possible with prickly branches such as holly or similar, to deter cats and squirrels. I don't know if there is some sort of deterrent spray that can be used in addition. Maybe someone else has an idea on that. I think if it were moved while the parent birds weren't there, that they might abandon it.