Bird Boxes: 2016

Thought it might be an idea to have a thread to keep track of our bird box activity for the year.

I recently moved mine and once I'd put a shrub under it (in a pot) and a hanging plant on a bracket to the side of it within minutes I had a blue tit visiting. Yes, as quick as that!

Since then I've seen blue tit activity almost daily. Yesterday though, Ozzy must have seen something because when I went to call him in, he was showing a bit of interest in the box. Got him in as quickly as possible and then watched. Two blue tits appeared at the hole from inside - then I realised they were having a bit of a barney; one flew off, the other retreated inside the box.

Must be a blue tit Des-Res! Well, of course it is, the bird box came from @shiney land last May

Maybe next year I'll get a camera for inside.

I have another bird box, also suitable for blue tits which also need moving. That one I will site about 25ft away and hope that stops any blue tit neighbourhood issues.

So: how many bird boxes do you have? Which birds are you hoping to encourage into your garden? Have you seen any interest being shown in them yet? Are there any particular plants you have near to them particularly to encourage them to stay?

Looking forward to hearing about your bird box year

 

I've got seven all around the garden, blue/great tits and got some open one for wren/robin

 

Have you noticed any activity yet, Jiffy?

 

I put one up last summer, in October one Blue Tit started using it to roost in overnight right through to March. Never came back and was not used at all. It may be used this Spring but you never can tell.

 

I have 2 Robbins, 8 bluetit and 5 multipurpose. There's also a squirrel box which currently houses a blackbird. The noise is beautiful. Green finches, great tits, doves, wood pigeons and a host of smaller birdies are daily visitors. Hoping for some chicks this year. Usually do. Can never have enough twitching in my view

 

This is a fantastic thread. I have three boxes up at the moment, they've been up at least three years & to my knowledge I've never had any interest!
Do they do better if they face a certain direction? Why aren't I getting any families in mine?
I feed the birds all year round & have hundreds of birds in the garden.
Any help & advice would be very gratefully received

 

Yes
I have mine facing NE. They won't mind a bit of morning sun, but the chicks could fry in a South or West facing spot.
Don't site the boxes too close to bird feeders either.
Give the distance between boxes at least 25ft - this will help to prevent battles for territory.
Put them near to shrubs/trees so the fledglings have a hiding spot.
Try to site them so cats cannot get at the boxes.

 

Wilkos bird boxes half price @ £2.50 at the moment http://www.wilko.com/wild-bird-feed...esting-box-multi-purpose-natural/invt/0303781

 

There are a few looking at the mo, we did see a dove taking stram off some where

Jiffy's bird boxs made byones self and free but i did buy the wood for another job and it was what was left over
i think its time to make some more, this thread have given me a kick up the backside, thank you

 

Argh! Mine are facing south east, I think I need to move them! When I put them up I walked around the garden to find a spot out of the wind! They are attached to the fence posts, I have a clematis & a jasmine which are left a bit wild so the birds are safe from the sparrow hawk & the ginger tossa! (That's the cat down the road who bullies all the other cats & catches the birds ).
Best I get on with moving the nest boxesthis weekend!

 

A nice thread to read on a rainy day.
In my particular case i dont seem to need them as I seem to find nests all over the garden,and in some surprising places too.Behind security light sensor,in stick shed,in weeping willow,shed etc etc,mostly wrens/black birds/thrush/tree creeper/spotted fly catcher/collard doves .Luckily we have a healthy population of many types of birds due to winter feeding, many neighbours with hedges/gardens,and few cats.


Only neg point is the local bird of prey keeps hoovering up breakfast lunch and dinner .

 

You are very very lucky to have Spotted Flycatchers and Treecreeper nesting in your garden....makes me jealous. For Treecreepers you must live in a mature wood or beside one as they are sedentary woodland dwellers and nest under lifting bark or holes behind the bark. I am really really envious. Spotted Flycatchers; do you mind me asking what species of plant they nest in in your garden? I would love to have them nesting in my garden.

 

I have lots of nest boxes and about half get used each year, mostly tit boxes and a few open fronted ones which get totally ignored. My swallow terrace had Great Tits last year and one of the tit boxes had House Sparrows. The Barn Owl box has feral pigeons, unfortunately. I am trying to attract Swifts but so far no luck even though I am playing a tape. I'm thinking of making a Kestrel box too.

Tit boxes should be north or east facing. West and south get too hot unless shaded by vegetation or buildings. Also tits like a clear flight line. Tree locations are also good provided the flight line is clear.