• Sid Sparrow
  • 20 Jan 2023 2:52 PM
  • State Not Answered
  • Replies 3 replies
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Bird box cleaning?

Great tits quickly moved in to a next box we put up last spring & successfully fledged.

Should we have cleaned it out after they left & if so, would doing it now (january) be too late?

Asking as they've started nipping in & out lately (cold weather related?) & wouldn't want to do anything to put them off using it again.

  • Germain
    If you are going to do it get it done now. They will soon regroup and start sorting it as they want. Best time to clean is from late September to December - if they are using as a winter roost they are soon back in

    Cin J

  • Sid Sparrow

    In reply to Germain:

    Thanks, Had a look under the lid & looked clean & tidy with shallow ring of moss so left it alone.
  • ItisaRobbo

    In reply to Sid Sparrow:

    It'll be unseen pests that are the problem. Nestboxes often look well kept straight after birds fledge. Having said that, I reckon Sept-Nov is the best time frame for clearing nestboxes. Not sure why advice over the years has been more generous with timescale, as like you and many others find, birds continue to use the boxes to roost or just 'reserve in advance'. I personally would be starting to weigh up pros and cons of doing it now. Probably just inside the 'pros' but I can understand if you don't do anything til end of the next season.