First timer so please be gentle.
I built my own nest box, and for 4 years it was used by Blue Tits, and successfully fledged 8-10 young every year.
As we were missing out on the activity in the box, we decided to install a camera, however the original box was not tall enough to fit the camera and get it to focus.
So, built another box, exactly the same sizes, just 2 inches (50mm) taller, even made it from the same plank of wood. Not wanting to dig up the lawn to run a power cable, decided to power it with solar panels, found 2 to match the original box roof size, and assembled the box. (Contains a Green Feathers camera and LED light).
Now to the problem, last season there was no interest in the box, apart from one bird who entered the box and spent ten minutes crashing into everything and then left, no roosting, no looking in. This season again no roosting, but did have one bird look in the hole.
I should add, that the original box was re-sited in the garden and fledged 11 chicks last year, and already has a pair taking nesting material into it this year (external camera).
I know it is still early, but with last years failure, not confident, would be grateful for any theories/suggestions as to why this box has failed to attract any birds, baring in mind the following:
The new box is sited in exactly the same spot as the successful original box, same height, same size, facing same direction, same internal perch, same drainage holes, etc. etc, even made from same plank of wood as original.
The obvious answer would be the differences between the two boxes, the solar panels, but as several companies now market solar powered boxes, I feel it is unlikely be the refection from the panels scaring them off, I maybe wrong, also the LED light (only on in daylight), but yet again several companies sell boxes with these fitted.
After all the time and money spent on this new box, we are really disappointed, any help greatly appreciated.
How far apart re the new box and the original one? My suspicion is the territory is only large enough for one pair of blue tits.
... and the prospective breeding pair will chose the one they like most. (I'm not sure why there should be an internal perch. I can't think of many natural nestholes with such facilities.)
With a nestbox reliably fledging 8-10 per year I'd count that as a substantial 'win'. Most garden nestboxes won't get that many (IMO).
I suppose an alternative is to take down the original nestbox and see whether the new one will be taken up next year, with the risk that that it won't be.
Thanks for the reply, yes more than happy with the success, would just be nice to see inside.
Internal perch was fitted to aid the young exiting the box, seems to work as young can be seen looking out of the hole before deciding to fly, which they could not do without it being there.
Not sure we want to gamble on removing the old box, and ending up with none.
Thanks for the reply, 15 metres apart. Hadn't thought about territory, as other locals have three boxes on the same house wall and all three used at the same time.
No problem. As well as territory being an issue, I have quickly done a search of solar panels with nest boxes and can see a quite silly image of a panel next to the box, facing the same direction. Clearly, solar panels are best South facing, Nest boxes aren't!
My solar panels form the two sides of the actual roof of the box, I designed it myself, not a ready made kit, both boxes face NW.
Sorry, yes. I did read you made it yourself. I fear many would copy what they were seeing online though. Clearly you haven't. I have a probable third issue. Territory still the biggest one IMO. Third suggestion is you stated LED on only during daylight. Websites might sell them like that (may or may not work), but if I was a prospecting blue tit, I would be looking during daylight and looking for a nest site that wasn't illuminated. It may be something they'll get accustomed to but more likely if it's only one nest site to choose from.
Blurp says LED is required to obtain clear colour images, but you may have a point, I can turn it off. Will do a test to see what effect it has on image quality.
I fully accept your opinion about territory, but as said previously as a neighbour has 3 boxes on one wall being used simultaneously, it didn't enter my mind it could be a problem, yet again the only way to prove it, is to take the risk and take the old box down for next year.
I do have a problem with neighbour having 3 boxes on their house in use at the same time. Are they really all blue tits and really all at the same time? Nesting I mean, not putting bits in and roosting as some individual birds do. Are you saying there were those 3 boxes and yours all at the same time last year?
Neighbour is not that close for me to see, only have their word for it that they were all blue tits, but it was last year.