I am new to watching birds at home and have a nest box which is now being visited constantly by great tits. One question - they seem to be arriving with nothing, going in, but then leaving with something in their beaks. Can anyone tell me what will this be and why?
Hi Geoff and welcome to the forum ... it could be that the Great Tit has been roosting and is clearing out the box ready for nesting or maybe there are remnants of an old nest that it will dispose of ... I had this happen some years ago with a Blue tit, fortunately I had a nest cam to show me what was going on!
2013 photos & vids here
eff37 on Flickr
Thanks Wendy. I haven’t noticed any activity before or a previous nest- fascinating!
Do let us know if GT's nest in your box!