Robin left nest and bluetits not nesting?

Arequipa

Good morning!

I have a small garden in Suburban North Dublin.
I have an open bird box in the corner...a pair of robins built a nest in February... They were sitting on the nest for a week or so & then just left it... I didnt disturb them at all....any ideas?

Then i have a bird box up on a wall... Bluetits have nested here most years for about 5/6 years...but this year... No nest ...no activity..
I have noticed a pair of great tits in my garden regularly enough & they seem quite boisterous...would they potentially scare tge blue tits away?

Any feedback guys?


D

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

Robins are very prone to deserting nests at the first hint of any disturbance. February was a bit too early for them anyway.


Bluetits can build several nests before settling on one. Great Tits and Blue Tits coexist very well in my garden, although Greats will sometimes use boxes more usually used by Blues.

Arequipa

Hi! Thank u for the feedback!
Yea...the robins built really early... Was still wintery and very little green leaf cover....

Re the blue tits... I have a camera in the nest box and have watched them over the years..i think they didnt nest one year a few years back ..

But the great tits have been making their presence felt in the garden ..maybe they will claim the box?!

lordgoat

Any new cats knocking around?

Arequipa

Hi! There are cats around.. one in particular hunts every nest around... But i sprayed her with the hose last summer and she seems to stay clear now...

Checked the camera again today and no nest material at all.. looks like it is getting too late for them to nest here now...

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

Arequipa wrote: »

Hi! There are cats around.. one in particular hunts every nest around... But i sprayed her with the hose last summer and she seems to stay clear now...

Checked the camera again today and no nest material at all.. looks like it is getting too late for them to nest here now...

Not too late at all. And it may be used for the second clutch later in the year.

Arequipa

Ah great... Thank you for the information!

Arequipa

Re the blue tits..
I found the great tits nest... It is about 30 feet away from my bird box....in a hole in a concrete block wall...

Would the great tits have intimidated the blue tits from nesting in the bird box....maybe for territory reasons?

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

Arequipa wrote: »

Re the blue tits..
I found the great tits nest... It is about 30 feet away from my bird box....in a hole in a concrete block wall...

Would the great tits have intimidated the blue tits from nesting in the bird box....maybe for territory reasons?

No. They nest near each other in my garden.

Arequipa

Okay... thanks for the reply!