It was on the 27 November 2010 that the very cold winter of that year began with a minimum temperature down to -4.4°C and -7.6°C the following day. No such problems this year as Wednesday turned out to be a mild cloudy day with a maximum temperature of 11.3°C.
Whilst we didn't get any birds nesting in our camera boxes last spring we thought we had blue tits or great tits nesting in our sparrow terraces. As it was such a mild day I decided to clean out the boxes ready for some new residents in spring.
Nest box one, the top picture looks like some birds began building but changed their minds and nest box two looks like it was used to rear some young with a fully formed nest in the end terrace. Amazingly, even though the nest box is fixed to the house wall about 3.0m from the ground it looks like a slug or snail had slimed inside the nest box.
Both boxes were given a good brush out before they were replaced ready for some eager birds to take up residence next year. Preferably we’d like them to choose one of our nest boxes rigged up with a camera but although we know some birds checked out one of the camera boxes last year they preferred to build elsewhere. Perhaps we’ll be lucky next year.
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I've never had visitors in my nest box. I took it down last year as I think it must be in the wrong position, either that or it's too exposed, there aren't many suitable places to hang it here. Anyway, it never got put back up so it definitely won't be used now. I must have another think where to place it. Fingers crossed that you get a resident in your camera box.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure our sparrow terraces face in the correct direction - sort of north easterly but they always seem to attract a blue tit or great tit - not the sparrows they're intended for.
DeleteI'd love to put a nest box on our garage, which is at the end of the garden. There's a nice north-facing wall where I could tuck it up under the eaves that might suit blue tits. Me and the eldest boy would be thrilled if anything nested there.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a plan. Will you be able to see the box easily to watch the birds going in and out?
DeleteYes, it would face the house although it would be about seventy feet away. But with binoculars or a zoom lens we should be able to see any comings and goings.
DeleteI have never seen nest box like this. It's inspire me to make nest box for my chickens.
ReplyDeleteDon't your chickens need a nest box to lay eggs in?
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