Wrens

cd07

I have some wrens building a nest in the bird box out my back garden. Is it normal for them to build `winter nests`?

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

They don't usually build winter nests although they will use old nests and nest boxes as communal roosts in winter. It's seems very late for building.

Kess73

Srameen's roost comment is the most likely answer.


They do use nest boxes and old nests as roosts in late autumn and during the winter, and they will repair an old nest to a degree so that it is an effective roost.


Is actually amazing how many wren will go into the one nest box when the weather is very cold. Not unusual for anything between ten and twenty of them to all pile in together in the one nest box in order to create some group heat.

OpenYourEyes

I've noticed plenty of House Sparrows doing the same over the last week or two. Swift nest boxes were put up locally in the last few weeks*, and Sparrows were already going in and out of them too!





*An unusual time of year I know, but basically put up while there were staff available to do it - mightn't be the case when spring rolls round

Bsal

I have a few sparrows taking any feathers lying around the garden and heading to the neighbours roof to where they are roosting.

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

Bsal wrote: »

I have a few sparrows taking any feathers lying around the garden and heading to the neighbours roof to where they are roosting.

House Sparrows will nest and breed all year round if conditions allow. It has been so mild into October that they will try for another clutch. Still breeding away under our roof tiles here too.