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I wonder whether anyone can give me some advice; Last year our nest boxes were very busy, blue tits made good use of some of our boxes and the tree sparrows set up home in our nice new nesting box for the first time, they successfully reared 4 broods. Every time I though of clearing out the box, there were more babies there chirping merrily! The boxes haven't been cleaned out yet, and now are being used at night by roosting birds so I don't like to clear them out as I might discourage them and would be removing their insulation. What is the best thing to do? I want to provide a safe place for the birds to roost over winter and allow them to nest in the spring. If I leave the cleaning too late they might be suspicious and not use the boxes.
Best left alone me thinks. The birds will do their own cleaning if they like the location.
Take care all, Stich.
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Not sure about this one. RSPB advise cleaning nestboxes but birds have survived for millions of years without anyone cleaning their natural nest sites for them.
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Most bird species will make new nests each year, which would imply cleaning it is a must, however when to do it is a good question. I would say (but have no specific scientific knowledge) after the end of the breeding season or wait till early spring. But even if you don't there will always be something that wants to use the box from earwigs to woodice, bats to hibernating moths, spiders and mice. Don't be too focused on one species they all need each other and there's probably even a need for some of those virus that live in old birds nests.
This is where the Kestrels nest in my quarry ...................
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Hi Jean, I have some boxes that are up but unused at the moment. Last year no birds were interested in using them so I don't know if they're in the right place or they just didn't find it suitable.
Cheers, Jason