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Too late to clean out a Bluetit nest?

  • 03-02-2015 11:47am
    #1
    BenEadir
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,539 ✭✭✭


    Hi all,

    I've a nest box like this under a roof gutter on my garden shed.

    o7mweo.jpg

    It was occupied by a pair of bluetit's last year and after they left I forgot to take it down and clean out the nest bedding etc.

    I now notice a pair of bluetits back in the garden near the next and I'm wondering whether I should leave it alone or take it down, clean it out and put it back so they can occupy it? FYI I haven't seen them enter it yet.


Comments

  • #2
    ytpe2r5bxkn0c1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 32,688 ✭✭✭✭ytpe2r5bxkn0c1


    Take it down this week and get it back up quickly. It will be all the better for being cleaned out. Just take the old nest out at this stage. Don't use any cleaning products on it.


  • #3
    BenEadir
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,539 ✭✭✭BenEadir


    Marina Purple Ivory wrote: »
    Take it down this week and get it back up quickly. It will be all the better for being cleaned out. Just take the old nest out at this stage. Don't use any cleaning products on it.

    Cheers, will do.


  • #4
    Storm 10
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,009 ✭✭✭Storm 10


    Is there any way of enticing Blue Tits into my bird box, I have it up for two years now with no takers, they fly in and out of the box but never nest there, its mounted high up at the back of the house and I don't understand why they are not nesting in it.


  • #5
    ytpe2r5bxkn0c1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 32,688 ✭✭✭✭ytpe2r5bxkn0c1


    Storm 10 wrote: »
    Is there any way of enticing Blue Tits into my bird box, I have it up for two years now with no takers, they fly in and out of the box but never nest there, its mounted high up at the back of the house and I don't understand why they are not nesting in it.

    Place the box between 1 and 3 metres high and facing north east or north. Avoid foliage blocking the entrance hole.


  • #6
    BenEadir
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,539 ✭✭✭BenEadir


    Marina Purple Ivory wrote: »
    Place the box between 1 and 3 metres high and facing north east or north. Avoid foliage blocking the entrance hole.

    It's 2.5m up and facing about 2 degrees east of due north.

    I'll get it cleaned out in a day or two.


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  • #7
    Iranoutofideas
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,083 ✭✭✭Iranoutofideas


    I have one up thats facing west and it was used last year by a pair of blue tits


  • #8
    ytpe2r5bxkn0c1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 32,688 ✭✭✭✭ytpe2r5bxkn0c1


    Iranoutofideas wrote: »
    I have one up thats facing west and it was used last year by a pair of blue tits

    I was giving the idea. It's not cast in stone but generally south and west facing boxes get too much sunlight and heat - thus leading to the death of many chicks.


  • #9
    Iranoutofideas
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,083 ✭✭✭Iranoutofideas


    Marina Purple Ivory wrote: »
    I was giving the idea. It's not cast in stone but generally south and west facing boxes get too much sunlight and heat - thus leading to the death of many chicks.

    Should I move it then?


  • #10
    ytpe2r5bxkn0c1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 32,688 ✭✭✭✭ytpe2r5bxkn0c1


    Iranoutofideas wrote: »
    Should I move it then?

    If it was successful last year, when it was so warm, I'd leave it.


  • #11
    TRNIALL
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 179 ✭✭TRNIALL


    How many Bluetit boxes would you put up in the average Garden.


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  • #12
    OpenYourEyes
    Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 3,072 Mod ✭✭✭✭OpenYourEyes


    TRNIALL wrote: »
    How many Bluetit boxes would you put up in the average Garden.

    Peoples idea of what the average garden is varies hugely!
    It depends on the size of the garden and the amount of natural nesting No need to go overboard - 2 nextboxes put it correctly are better than 10 boxes put up all over the place!


  • #13
    BenEadir
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,539 ✭✭✭BenEadir


    OpenYourEyes wrote: »
    No need to go overboard - 2 nextboxes put it correctly are better than 10 boxes put up all over the place!

    Would 2 boxes quite close to each other (6 feet apart) on the same garage wall/under the same roof gutter be a good/bad idea?

    I've one box up too high on the house which I could relocate close to a 2nd box which has been used before and is the right height and facing the right direction.


  • #14
    ytpe2r5bxkn0c1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 32,688 ✭✭✭✭ytpe2r5bxkn0c1


    For Blue or Great Tits this is not a good idea. Although not territorial they will squabble over nest sites. You could put boxes for different species near enough to each other however.


  • #15
    OpenYourEyes
    Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 3,072 Mod ✭✭✭✭OpenYourEyes


    BenEadir wrote: »
    Would 2 boxes quite close to each other (6 feet apart) on the same garage wall/under the same roof gutter be a good/bad idea?

    I've one box up too high on the house which I could relocate close to a 2nd box which has been used before and is the right height and facing the right direction.


    Bad idea for Blue Tits - they're territorial so they wont nest that close to each other! If anything it might cause problems if another bird did look to use it!


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