What has occupied your nest box?

Hi Coal

Interesting thread you have opened here

I have had always had Blue Tits in my boxes, and that is all so far

One year while in Scotland I thought we where going to land lucky with a Coal Tit in our box.  I think since the Blue Tits outweigh the Coal tits in numbers.  I knew that the Blue tits would win and they did.  I would have been thrilled to have a Coal Tit family anyday.

I only wish that Coal tits where not so shy and fought their corner a bit.  They are always in the background and quite timid in their own way.

I have moved about a bit and I would count 4 places that we have had success with Blue Tits, and their chicks.  One place I had them three years in a row.  So I felt that we must have placed the box in a good position for the birds and they liked it.

Thank you Buzzard for your links - interesting reading

Regards

Kathy and Dave

Hi Sue, and welcome to the RSPB Forum

Sorry to hear of your news about the missing Blue Tit.  Nature has some cruel twists, and turns at times.

Blue Tits have a short life span so maybe that is why your Blue Tit is not around anymore - that is all I can think it could be at the moment.

The cold spell has not helped very much at all for some birds.  Older and weaker Blue Tits might have died due to the freezing weather.

Personally I would say that you are better to clean out the box and start from scratch so there are no living mites in the box.

It is not too late yet.

Regards

Kathy and Dave

A couple of shots taken from this years nest boxes. As a Licensed ringer I get to see some exceptional sights a few were I had my camera and phone, that I can share with you all.

Great Tits

 Tawny Owls

Had my mobile phone so managed to get this photo.

The biggest surprise, a Pipistrelle Bat roosting in a bird box with a Wood Wasp's nest for company. The Wood Wasp's are quite capable of killing the bat. Thankfully on this occasion the bat left the roost unscathed and found a new roost. Had my mobile phone so managed to get this photo.

Regards Buzzard

Hi Buzzard

Fabulous pictures of the Great Tits and Tawny Owl chicks - so cute.

How many Great Tits where they?

As for the Bat nest (within the Wasps grasp eeekk).Not a good omen

Now is one experience you can never forget at all.

Great footage, and thank you for sharing

Regards

Kathy and Dave

Hi Buzzard,

Thank you for showing us those pictures. Amazing.