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Despite the freezing conditions outside, many birds turn their attention to nest site prospecting even in the darkest depths of winter. This may be tied into looking for invertebrate food as much as planning for the breeding season but it's interesting behaviour either way, have you seen any birds checking out nest boxes recently?
Birds will also be making use of nesting boxes for a safe winter roosting site so keep an eye out for wrens, tits and sparrows diving into boxes at dusk. Those with nest box cameras may well get an insight into who and how many birds are stopping over night. I think the highest count for a communal wren roost was 62!
Warden Intern at Otmoor.
Blimey, I would love to see that wren roost!
I have two camera boxes and every winter have had a blue tit roosting in each. This year, one is empty, but the other is here -
Cheers, Linda.
See my photos on Flickr
Hi Ian, in that case I shall be putting out my nest boxes out then. Also what I normally do is put out cotton wool and Ive found that gold finches in particular are keen to take it, presumably to get prepared for keeping warm in winter.
Cheers, Jason
That looks like a very content box dweller!
Jason, we don't recommend using cotton wool, it can wrap very tightly around the nesting birds if they get tangled in it so please avoid in the future. Best to stick with sheep wool or the fluff you get from the back of a tumble drier or even pet hair.
Oh I didn't know that... thought is was soft enough. I'll refrain from using it :)
cheers
All that tumble dryer fluff I've thrown away - will chuck it out in the garden from now on - thanks for that tip Ian, just in time as I am expecting delivery of nest box with cam tomorrow!! Have also put out three RSPB pouches
2013 photos & vids here
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Hi Ian, I just had three roosting pouches (and nice pair of bins ! ) delivered from RSPB this afternoon so have just been placing the pouches in the garden as I hope the Robin may use one :) not sure best place to put them but have hung one on a nail under the eaves of summerhouse, the other under shed eaves and another against the sheltered wall of our house but they are only around 10ft off the ground .......... do you know if this is ok or have better suggestion for placement. We have large woodland garden and boundary of laurel shrubs.
ps. we already have 6 nesting boxes which we have cleaned and put back up in preparation for winter roosting.
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Regards, Hazel
Hi Hazy
The roosting pouches don't need to go especially high, anywhere between 4 and 10 feet should be ok. The species that use them often roost close to ground level amongst dense foliage (ivy is a great natural roosting spot) but your chosen locations sound pretty good, the cover afforded by the buildings should keep them safe from the worst of the elements. if they have any vegetative cover nearby that would add protection then ideal!
I have tucked mine well into the Pyracantha bush that the birds all perch on during the day in the hope that they will get used to seeing them & maybe think it's a good idea to use them??
Wendy, that is also fine! I'd expect wrens to be the most likely species to use them but they may appeal to many other small garden birds seeking shelter.
Well the other year I put mine in the ivy on a sheltered wall and put a few mealworms inside. Not a sausage used them - they eventually rotted and the mealworms were still there the following spring! And before you ask, yes I do have wrens in the garden and in the ivy!