cleaning nest box

[Sal]

We've had residents in our nesting box for the 1st time this year. Think the blue tits have gone now, noticed baby out a few days ago attempting to fly/feed & since then they haven't returned to box, new cobweb covering entrance proof of inactivity. They dont seem to be in garden much although think we have seen dad a few times @ birdfood
Not sure what happens next...! Is it ok to clean box or should i wait? Are they finished with it? Are they likely to return? Why only 1 baby? Looked & sounded like more in box peeping out.
So many questions.....help please! Complete beginners at this!
:confused:
many thanks

[Whitezombie]

Do not clean out the box yet it may be used again this year, maybe by different birds, i think it would be best to leave the box alone until at least october. then give it a good clean and replace it. it may be used as a roost durring the winter.

[Ben]

We've had residents in our nesting box for the 1st time this year. Think the blue tits have gone now, noticed baby out a few days ago attempting to fly/feed & since then they haven't returned to box, new cobweb covering entrance proof of inactivity. They dont seem to be in garden much although think we have seen dad a few times @ birdfood
Not sure what happens next...! Is it ok to clean box or should i wait? Are they finished with it? Are they likely to return? Why only 1 baby? Looked & sounded like more in box peeping out.
So many questions.....help please! Complete beginners at this!
:confused:
many thanks

I would leave the box till October before cleaning.As for the young birds the strongest would probably have flown at the crack of dawn,the one you saw was possibly the weakest.

[Sal]

Many thanks for the help, glad to know what to do, will wait till October.
Best wishes
sal:D

[Mobee]

I have just cleaned out one of my two nest boxes this morning much to the annoyance of Mr & Mrs Bluetit they let me know in no uncertain terms that I was trespassing and they were not happy. Have I left it too late I dont know wether to clean the other one or not now? http://www.cjwildlifeforum.com/images/icons/icon5.gif

[dougied]

Cleaned out our nest box a few weeks ago and to my surprise, there was a lovely neat nest with six little eggs still in there. The parents must have abandoned the nest for some reason. A bit sad really. :(

[Jabber]

Cleaned out our nest box a few weeks ago and to my surprise, there was a lovely neat nest with six little eggs still in there. The parents must have abandoned the nest for some reason. A bit sad really. :(

Could it be an early clutch because of the very mild winter we have had ? There are certainly enough caterpillars and things about at the moment for the young to eat.

[dougied]

Could it be an early clutch because of the very mild winter we have had ? There are certainly enough caterpillars and things about at the moment for the young to eat.

Hi Jabber,

I guess it could have been early clutch, but I doubt it. Only because the box is in sight of the house and I haven't seen any activity around it at all this year yet. Last year some blue tits made a nest and successfully reared some young. After they had fledged another pair, it could have been the same pair, also showed a lot of interest in the box. So I reckon it was the second pair that, for some reason, abandoned the nest.


http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f96/aceuggy/Old%20Trafford%202006/Nest.jpg

[petsrthebest]

Hi Sal:

I agree with WhiteZombie. Don't clean the nest out yet not only because there may be other birds but also because of the comfort factor, as that is what worked already so why mess with success. I have increasingly come to believe that the most important element of the nest box is the comfort level, the right climate, temperature, atmosphere, etc.

By the way, I noticed that you posted this back in June 2006 - what did you decide on? Is it working for you?

Lance H.

We've had residents in our nesting box for the 1st time this year. Think the blue tits have gone now, noticed baby out a few days ago attempting to fly/feed & since then they haven't returned to box, new cobweb covering entrance proof of inactivity. They dont seem to be in garden much although think we have seen dad a few times @ birdfood
Not sure what happens next...! Is it ok to clean box or should i wait? Are they finished with it? Are they likely to return? Why only 1 baby? Looked & sounded like more in box peeping out.
So many questions.....help please! Complete beginners at this!
:confused:
many thanks