Empty birdhouse

PKH

For the third spring in a row my birdhouse is still unoccupied. I have tried sprinkling food around it and nearby but no go.Any ideas ??

jmkennedyie

Blue tits have not started nest building near me - don't panic just yet.

Box:
- Hole or ledge? Is hole size at least 25mm?
- Is it an ALDI/LIDL box with white plastic 'windows' for light? I don't know anyone who got birds to nest in this design of box. Try a box without windows.
- If perch under the hole, remove it. Only useful for predators.

Site:
- Should be North facing (out of prevailing wind and rain)
- Should be shaded (to avoid overheating in sun)
- Should be awkward for cats
- Should be away from people, cars, cats traffic
- Should have direct flight path to entrance

What kind of landscape?
- decidious trees/hedges nearby with Blue Tits passing up and down? Or up the side of a remote mountain?

Do not put out food nearby once nest occupied - adults will be worn out defending the nest site.

If everything 'perfect' then all you can do is relax and assume that the birds have found even better sites in the area so have every chance of breeding successfully.



PS getting a bit late for this year but some design points for box making on this page: http://clanecommunity.ie/wild-about-clane/nest-boxes/

PKH

Thanks for the reply.The birdhouse is a wooden one bought in Woodies.
It is screwed to an ash tree with ivy on it.
Think it might be facing south instead of north.


There is a bird feeder (nuts & cereal etc) up in the branches about 15 feet
away from the house, should I remove this ?

jmkennedyie

To be honest I think the South facing is the biggest issue.

Most wind and rain and any sun we get comes from the South hence it could easily get too drafty, too wet or too warm inside. I guess your local birds have found sites that are a safer bet (feeding ~10 chicks for ~3 weeks non-stop daylight hours is a big investment they won't want to risk).

For first week or two after hatching chicks do not have any/enough feathers to control their own body temperature. Mum or dad has to sit on them (or not) to keep them at correct temp. The less the temp fluctuates the more time they can spend hunting for food.

PKH

Thanks for the advice, I will move the house to face north and see what happens
Cheers 🌳