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For the last six years we know that Bluetits have nested in next doors garden and used our feeders but at last they appear to be going to nest in a little box we put up for them. Constantly in and out of the box, either very briefly or one keeps watch and one goes in for a few minutes.
My question is: When one of them is in the box for a few minutes it sounds like a Woodpecker in there, I can't believe such a little bird can make that sort of racket, what is it doing? I don't want to look and possibly scare them off nesting there.
Wondered if anyone knows?
For the last six years we know that Bluetits have nested in next doors garden and used our feeders but at last they appear to be going to nest in a little box we put up for them. Constantly in and out of the box, either very briefly or one keeps watch and one goes in for a few minutes.
My question is: When one of them is in the box for a few minutes it sounds like a Woodpecker in there, I can't believe such a little bird can make that sort of racket, what is it doing? I don't want to look and possibly scare them off nesting there.
Wondered if anyone knows?
Cheers, Dave
Casing the joint is probably right. Just because they are in and out of your box doesn't mean they will nest there unfortunately. I hope they do though for your sake.
Steve
______________________________________________________________ Chelsea F.C..... Champions of Europe !!!
H i Jenny,
I think they have gone through "casing the joint" and are taking up residence but they are not flying in and out with nesting materials yet [ bit early?] It's just this rapid knocking noise that baffles me. Thanks for reply though.
Dave
I recall reading somewhere that blue tits and other hole nesting birds will roughen up the wood under the entrance hole so that the young birds will be able to grip with their claws when they climb out. I have to say that in my experience the nest more or less comes up as far as the entrance hole, so I'm not entirely convinced by this.
The blue tits that use our nest box make this noise every year, although you would think that the inside would be rough enough by now. Personally I suspect that it is just the general urge we all get to "improve" a new residence, which is what it amounts to for the birds.
When I put up a new nestbox last year that I made, the bluetits slightly enlarged the hole and roughened the inside. The hole I made was to thesize recommended by the RSPB.
Guess your birds are doing the same.
______________________________________________________________ Norman ŽnŽ Liz
Moving on
I have to say that in my experience the nest more or less comes up as far as the entrance hole, so I'm not entirely convinced by this.
Sandy
With the right size and dimentions of the nest box, the nest should not come anywhere near to where the entrance hole is because that would make it very easy for predators like cats to "winkle" the young out. I would say as a minimum, 6" from the bottom of the hole to the floor to be about right.
Steve
______________________________________________________________ Chelsea F.C..... Champions of Europe !!!
With the right size and dimentions of the nest box, the nest should not come anywhere near to where the entrance hole is because that would make it very easy for predators like cats to "winkle" the young out. I would say as a minimum, 6" from the bottom of the hole to the floor to be about right.
Steve
I have just been out and measured mine and it is six and a half inches from the entrance hole to the bottom. Every october when I clear it out the nest comes to within an inch of the top. The amount of material it contains is truly amazing and must represent many hundreds of collecting trips.
For what it is worth, the box is in a position which is proof against cats and the like, the only threat is likely to be a woodpecker, or perhaps a squirrel. These can enlarge the hole and get and the young.
I think your right with the roughing up theory, just had a not to intrusive gander and the exterior of the entrance hole is well pecked so presumably that is what their doing to the inside, the box came from the RSPB so sizes/dimensions are right.
PS 747, if it is swearing in Bluetit bird language it was probably after postie delivered the Ikea invoice to them.
I'll post with pictures if they do nest----- fingers crossed.
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