Box activity

[Nutty]

Has anyone got any bird boxes in use yet this spring? If not, when do you think they'll start? I've had blue tits checking out my one box for the last couple of weeks but they've showed no signs of nest building yet.

[ladyloulee]

i have great tits checking out the boxes, but they didbnt actually nest till late march last year. I also have a wren making a nest in my archway nest. you can see it here on my blog....
http://ladyloulees-wildlife-garden.blogspot.com/
lou x

[PiratesAhoy!]

Our blue tits are checking out nest boxes, but I don't think they're doing any nest building right now.

Whereas, I've seen a female blackbird this morning with moss in her beak, heading for the rather overgrown climbing stuff on the side of the house that blackbirds normally nest in. Guys? It's March - you're early!

And then there's the long-tailed tits building their nest in the shrubbery at the front (see Maisie's post)

[Jaxx]

We put a new 25mm hole nest box up recently and are thrilled that the bluetits have been rushing in to view it, though one at least has been having a go at remodelling the entrance. I've seen one go in without difficulty but others have really had to wriggle through the hole. Are they, like us, getting bigger? And more importantly, will they use it if it's a really 'snug' fit?

[Nutty]

Hee hee. If they're getting fat like us then they'll also need to cut down on car use and make sure they get 30 mins of daily exercise!

As for the snug fit I don't know if it would put them off - who knows what goes through their minds when they choose a nesting site. Although, they might think a smaller hole would offer better protection against predators?

[Kerry L]

One of ours did that last year - absolutely hilarious to watch as it squeezed out and nose-dived before flying up! Kept us stupid humans amused for hours!:D
Regards, Kerry

[Jaxx]

Hurray! Those chubby little bluetits have been working hard to squeeze themselves and great quantities of moss through the entrance to the nest box, so now we're hoping for a family. I'm going to ask Santa for a nest box camera next Christmas if I've been a good girl...