Post by WildlifePaul on Apr 6, 2019 0:23:41 GMT
I honestly don't think the perfect box exist Matt,
Its all about giving them choice I think, Well that's worked well in my case.
I have had blue tits nesting in, Gardenature boxes, Handykam Boxes, Log Boxes, On the wall, In the tree.
I think its best to offer them different boxes, They house hunt every possible nest place in the area as you know.
In my road, There's about hmm 10 boxes that aren't mine. Basically when the new roofs got done the council put up nest boxes on every other house on the road (if the houses wasn't bought)
These was mainly for the sparrows due to doing the roofs taken nest places, Every year I watch "my" blue tits check out them all but they are all the same so I don't worry about them to much they can check out all 10 its the same box just on a different house.
Its abit like us, When you go looking for a house you check out different ones before you settle, If you was looking at all same style house its not giving you choice. I honestly do believe its about giving them choice I can only speak about what I do.
For lighting my birds don't seem at all bothered, they don't even pay attention to it being in the box. All my boxes have lights this year, The birds in my road have loads of other boxes the council put up with no lights just standard boxes 32mm hole dark, So they even have the choice of lights or no light but still went with mine. I think alot people think because of all my boxes I live in middle no where and getting nests is a given, I live on a normal street I have way more boxes than recommended and I am very lucky to get the nests I do with how many other boxes are about etc.
If I was you going into next year I would have a revamp of your boxes, Instead of 3 of the same style, Maybe have 3 different ones. Maybe even different style woods some thicker etc, You could even try one without led lights if you believe that could be a reason (I personally don't believe it would be) but you are in control to mix it up, At moment because you don't have a nest going on you probably think its down to your boxes, But last year that style of box worked for you, This year the birds may of had a little more choice around the area and picked somewhere else. Doesn't mean your box isn't "perfect" it just means they liked something else another box or place had to offer.
P.s all my boxes used this year so far are facing SOUTH, my south ones are always my most popular, Over the last 5 years I have 1 nest in my "north" ones and hmm 6 blue tit nests in south ones plus 4 years of the sparrows 2 / 3 broods a year.
So the difference in nests is pretty massive, RSPB or BTO tell you south is a no no the birds clearly think different in my area.
I make sure all boxes in south have shade in the afternoon sun and never had a problem with heat.
Which is also funny when you think about it because all the boxes the council put up face north
Its all about giving them choice I think, Well that's worked well in my case.
I have had blue tits nesting in, Gardenature boxes, Handykam Boxes, Log Boxes, On the wall, In the tree.
I think its best to offer them different boxes, They house hunt every possible nest place in the area as you know.
In my road, There's about hmm 10 boxes that aren't mine. Basically when the new roofs got done the council put up nest boxes on every other house on the road (if the houses wasn't bought)
These was mainly for the sparrows due to doing the roofs taken nest places, Every year I watch "my" blue tits check out them all but they are all the same so I don't worry about them to much they can check out all 10 its the same box just on a different house.
Its abit like us, When you go looking for a house you check out different ones before you settle, If you was looking at all same style house its not giving you choice. I honestly do believe its about giving them choice I can only speak about what I do.
For lighting my birds don't seem at all bothered, they don't even pay attention to it being in the box. All my boxes have lights this year, The birds in my road have loads of other boxes the council put up with no lights just standard boxes 32mm hole dark, So they even have the choice of lights or no light but still went with mine. I think alot people think because of all my boxes I live in middle no where and getting nests is a given, I live on a normal street I have way more boxes than recommended and I am very lucky to get the nests I do with how many other boxes are about etc.
If I was you going into next year I would have a revamp of your boxes, Instead of 3 of the same style, Maybe have 3 different ones. Maybe even different style woods some thicker etc, You could even try one without led lights if you believe that could be a reason (I personally don't believe it would be) but you are in control to mix it up, At moment because you don't have a nest going on you probably think its down to your boxes, But last year that style of box worked for you, This year the birds may of had a little more choice around the area and picked somewhere else. Doesn't mean your box isn't "perfect" it just means they liked something else another box or place had to offer.
P.s all my boxes used this year so far are facing SOUTH, my south ones are always my most popular, Over the last 5 years I have 1 nest in my "north" ones and hmm 6 blue tit nests in south ones plus 4 years of the sparrows 2 / 3 broods a year.
So the difference in nests is pretty massive, RSPB or BTO tell you south is a no no the birds clearly think different in my area.
I make sure all boxes in south have shade in the afternoon sun and never had a problem with heat.
Which is also funny when you think about it because all the boxes the council put up face north
