When is the best time to put up a Nestbox

Hi Blackbird,

I believe you should put it up tomorrow, if not tonight!!!!!!!

Late autumn/early winter is the normal accepted time. This gives the birds a chance to see it, get used to it, accept it, and be brave enough to investigate it. You may be lucky to have your blue tits or sparrows using it to roost, especially in really cold weather.

I bought one earlier this year and it went up in early November. I put some shredded paper and small twigs in it to get them started!  I have just mentioned on the other similar thread that blue tits are using this 3-hole sparrow terrace to spend the night in. There is one in it at the moment, and one has been pulling the shredded paper out of the hole!!

Hi Kathy

I agree with Sparrow. There were a number of articles suggesting that nest boxes be put up early in December as it would not only give the birds time to prospect them and get used to them before the breeding season starts but also it would afford them sheltered roosting in hard weather. Here's just one of the many that I saved for reference.

http://www.rspb.org.uk/news/details.asp?id=tcm:9-205278

Hello Blackbird,

As Squirrel and Sparrow have suggested Autumn and winter is the best time to put up nest boxes. I would personally opt for the former. Lots of birds such as wrens and Bluetits check out nest boxes with a view to roosting in them and who can blame them when its so cold. I have been watching a pair of Bluetits checking out a relative's nest box with great enthusiasm, if it hadn't been for the snow all around, you would have mistaken it for Spring!!! There is a possibility that birds that behave like this, can then nest in said boxes when Spring does actually arrive - all you can do is watch and wait!

Has anyone else seen birds checking out nest boxes yet?

Hi  MrsT

Thank you for your information about the boxes.

The cold weather has placed thoughts in my own head that the birds would like a place to hide to keep warm and cosy,

So our boxes will be up as soon as possible now.

Regards

Kathy and Dave

Jennifer T said:

Hello Blackbird,

As Squirrel and Sparrow have suggested Autumn and winter is the best time to put up nest boxes. I would personally opt for the former. Lots of birds such as wrens and Bluetits check out nest boxes with a view to roosting in them and who can blame them when its so cold. I have been watching a pair of Bluetits checking out a relative's nest box with great enthusiasm, if it hadn't been for the snow all around, you would have mistaken it for Spring!!! There is a possibility that birds that behave like this, can then nest in said boxes when Spring does actually arrive - all you can do is watch and wait!

Has anyone else seen birds checking out nest boxes yet?

Hi Squirrel and everyone

Thank you for information and your link too

While in Scotland we put our boxes up at the beginning of January .... as the temperatures really drop in the winter months as early as August.

Now we know different.

Regards

Kathy and Dave

Squirrel B said:

Hi Kathy

I agree with Sparrow. There were a number of articles suggesting that nest boxes be put up early in December as it would not only give the birds time to prospect them and get used to them before the breeding season starts but also it would afford them sheltered roosting in hard weather. Here's just one of the many that I saved for reference.

http://www.rspb.org.uk/news/details.asp?id=tcm:9-205278

Hi Blackbird, very good advice given by all that have replied.

Thought the following links might be of interest.

http://www.bto.org/nbc/index.htm

http://www.bto.org/nbc/taking-part.htm

Regards Buzzard

I’ve got a number of new nesting boxes to put up, I was going to do it in early spring but it seems I should do it now, thanks for the information.

I will also be taking part in the nest box challenge, it will encourage me to keep a closer eye on them.

A question.

I cleaned out all the nest boxes I could reach from the ground but I still have half a dozen which require a ladder so I haven’t quite gotten around to these yet. Should I do these now or wait until early spring?

Hi Wildlife,

                       The best time to clean them out is when you put the new ones up as if you do it in spring you may     disturb birds that may be wanting to nest.

                                   Coal

Thanks Coal

That's a job for tomorrow then.