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Hi Im quite new to putting up nestboxes,
But my husband put several different boxes up on the house a few months back, almost immediatley, we had a bluetit nesting in our camerabox, me and the family have been delighted watching the bird come and go the same time time everyday.
Also my husband made 2 fabulous sparrow terraces, in the hope that a few sparrows that have been nesting in a hole in the soffit, would hopefully use the terraces instead, no such happening so far.
But Im a little disapointed as the bluetit I mentioned earlier has been evicted from the camera nestbox and we now have a male housesparrow roosting in there, Ive tried to get a metal nestbox plate to put on the camerabox so that only bluetits will fit in there, but I have had no luck today finding any, I know I can purchase them online though. But now that the sparrow has been using the box 3 nights, is it best to leave alone now? I just feel so sorry for my once resident blue, and especially has we have 2 terraces un-used at present.
We have another nestbox up, only a bluetit would fit into, im not sure if any are using that 1, but because its right up tight to our fascia, theres a little gap between the nestbox roof and the soffit, The last few days ive noticed a female housesparrow is using this space every evening, and she has a boyfriend who is not allowed in the space with her LOL, so remarkably he gets himself right next to her on the nestbox, but uses our satellite cables, and he squeezes right in, horizontally, and is looking right down over our back door, its the cables that are keeping him in placeLOL......to see him you would think he is stuck but he is not......they are so funny, I dont think the cables will harm him, well I hope not, Just thought id share my little story
bekky x
Hello Bekky
Your avatar is gorgeous, are they your dogs, you lucky thing?
It is a shame for the bluetit but perhaps it is better to leave the situation this year. You could always fit a plate for next year.
However, I don't think it would hurt the sparrow if you fitted one now as it is still very early in the year. Our experts will be able to advise you.
It is a lovely story, thanks for sharing. I hope you get plenty of successful breeding pairs this year.
Kind regards Jane.
Hi Jef
Thanks for replying:)
No, the dogs in my avator are not mine, but I do have cavalier king charles. We have had 3 altogether over the years, and they are my favourite dogs, because they are so good with children.
Yes I think your right about leaving the box for now, and we have put another 2 up since then, so we have 8 or 9 nestboxes on the house now LOL, but only the one with the camera. My hubby also made a sparrow terrace for the local primary school recently. Some of mine have been bought and some handmade, Im looking forward to seeing if we get any nesting, I hope so :)
bekky
Thats a lovely story bekky, it is amazing where birds do get into tight gaps, i was also
admiring your avatar, they look just like my welsh springer, unfortunatly no longer with us. best wishes mac
A similar thing has happened to me before, i made a couple of boxes that were suitable for tits as well as a sparrow terrace, of course the blue tits chose to use the sparrow terrace. The sparrows have shown more interest in the starling box i made so it doesn't always work out as you would expect.
The fact is that house sparrows need all the help you can give them so if they have chosen to use one of your boxes, that is a good result. You will also get a season full of drama and excitement with your sparrow occupants if they choose to nest in the camera box. They might not have the bright colours and cute factor of the blue tits but they make up for that with their antics.
It would be great if you could keep us posted on how this develops, and don't worry too much about your blue tits, my guess is that they will take up residence in one of the other boxes in time for the start of the breeding season in spring.
Warden Intern at Otmoor.
Hi mac and Ian
Mac sorry to hear about your spanial. I think they are fab dogs :)
Hi Ian, I have really stepped up trying to help the birds this last year, but I still have lots to learn. I dont think I will be putting anymore boxes up as I dont think there's any space left on my house LOL. Ive also taken advice from the forum on good plants, and have bought a crab apple tree, and some hawthorn etc.
I have a lot of housesparrows in my garden everyday, more than any other species......so I think thats a good sign? I also have blackbirds,robins, chaffinch,starlings,greenfinch,goldfinch,siskins,bluetits, great tits and coal tits, oh and I saw just yesterday a reed bunting, which ive never seen before.....had to look in my little book to identify. Im so addicted to feeding and watching the birds in my garden :)