Two questions I need to ask my expert birders !
1) We have 7 nesting boxes fixed to different mature Oak trees in our garden; last year, although the boxes had only been up one month, 4 became active with Blue Tits nesting, however GSW scared off three of them (fortunately before two had laid and another with just 3 eggs in it) but were successful with the one nearest our house where at least 10 nestlings went on to fledge :) We have since cleaned out all the boxes, bought new boxes for the ones GSW destroyed and added the metal entrance hole covers. This leads me to wondering .............. I notice the BTs marked their entrance, as is common with them, but since the metal plate has been fixed .......... how do they then identify their nesting box or mark it ? !! Or do they settle for marking the inside rim ?
2) As we live in a wooded area with large garden, we were thinking about adding an Owl nesting box. I know nothing about the placement for these and I don't fancy climbing up into a 100ft. Oak tree too fix one LOL We have had one mature Oak cut down on our boundary fence area and was wondering if it was possible to use the flat surface of the 15ft. - 20ft tree stump to fix the rather long owl box into position. I think there are other types of Owl box which I must investigate but any advice on best fixing position, etc., would be much appreciated. I have heard Owls in the area on occasion so it would be wonderful to provide a home for one.
Thanks for any advice you can give me.
After my camera nest box was broken into last year by a GSW and all but one of the chicks were taken I used the hanging basket idea to cover it this year. It's not a very elegant solution but you can see what it looked like in this photo. It's in the background behind the parakeets. I actually used two to try to keep the opening size small enough.
The problem with the nest boxes you buy these days is that they are made of western red cedar which although weather resistant is a very soft wood and is easy for woodpeckers to penetrate.
If you've already bought replacements it may be a bit late but in future you could consider the so called "woodcrete" ones. They can be seen here. I don't think a woodpecker would break into these.
Hi TJ, thanks for the photo and the idea of the hanging basket, as Alan also suggests, does look like the best solution if only I can adapt it round the nobbly oak tree as the box is fixed on to the trunk and I don't want gaps at the edges. They seem great for hanging nest boxes though. Like to keep the one nearest our house as it was really loved by the Blue Tits that successfully nested there last year. Do you know if the markings they make at the entrance, (I guess as an identity thing and to warn other birds its already LET !) is vital ? I might have to give them an engraving pen for the metal protector plate unless they have another place they favour marking on the box LOL By the way, the photos are great, just love those parakeets :)