19-01-2018, 12:25 PM
4
Re: Dont .wait, time to clean.
Never occured to me to clean a nest out I assumed they did it themselves.Can you advise what we are supposed to be doing, we have blue tits use same nest each year we'd have to get a long ladder to reach it. Also got a little owl I'm not keen on interfering with him he's a bit feisty if you go near the tree even so going up it I think would really upset him.
19-01-2018, 12:30 PM
5
Re: Dont .wait, time to clean.
Some advice from the BTO.home » about-birds » nnbw » FAQs about nest boxes
FAQs about nest boxes
See below some of the questions we get asked about nest boxes. If you need more help nnbw@bto.org
How high should my nest box be?
The ideal height for a small-hole type nest box is between 1m and 5m above the ground with a clear flight path. Care must be given to make sure the box isn’t easily accessible to predators.
Can I put my nest box on the side of my house?
Yes, a nest box with a 32mm entrance hole fixed on the wall of a house could well be used by House Sparrows. For Starlings try a box with a 45mm entrance hole.
How big should the nest box hole be?
Bird
Nest box hole size
Blue Tit
25mm
Great Tit
28mm
Tree Sparrow
28mm
House Sparrow
32mm
Can I look inside my nest box?
Yes, provided you approach quietly and carefully, it is perfectly safe to look into a nest box from time to time to see how things are progressing once the birds are incubating their eggs. Most birds will sit very tight on their nest if you just peek in, though an early morning visit may find the bird off her nest in search of a quick meal before nest duties call her back. This is a good time to count the number of eggs in the nest and to record this information as part of Nest Box Challenge.
Should I clean out the nest box?
When the breeding season is over, old nests can be removed and the box cleaned out. Bird Protection Law permits the cleaning out of nests between 1 September and 31 January. Any dead eggs must be destroyed promptly and cannot be kept or sold.
Some hole-nesting species, including sparrows, may have second or third broods in the same nest. The nests of these species should be left until sometime during the autumn when it is certain that they are no longer in use.
When cleaning out nest boxes it is advisable to wear surgical gloves and a dust mask. Old nests may harbour fungi growing on damp nest material, which can cause respiratory diseases. Nests can also house a variety of parasites such as fleas, lice and ticks. It is best, therefore, when removing the old nest to put this straight into a plastic bag and seal it before disposal.
19-01-2018, 12:34 PM
6
Re: Dont .wait, time to clean.
Ah ours is higher when we put it up about 1990 it was reachable with a short ladder but I don't feel happy sending anyone up as high as it is now. The oak tree took it out of our reach lucky really as it is now above where the cats get to.The owl is a bit lower but his bad temper will keep us away.
19-01-2018, 12:43 PM
8
Re: Dont .wait, time to clean.
It wasn't actually put there for him we were hoping for more tits but he took up residence and no one wanted to upset him. We are lucky here in a town that we have have bats too nesting in the woods next to the flats. I'm not sure how many it feels like just one or two but I'm told it's more. They saved the woods when developers wanted to level it for offices.|
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