A pair of great tits have been busy building their nest in a box we had up last year (for a successful nesting) on the East side of our house just by our front door. The problem is that the hinge at the bottom has come undone, so the poor birds are busy stuffing it with nesting material and a lot keeps coming out the bottom! I'm so tempted to close it properly or put some Duct tape to close it -- but my guess is that I shouldn't go near it as they will abandon ship. Can you confirm for me what would be best to do -- it's so frustrating to watch the process
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As they are still building, for that example I think common sense should override 'enforcement of the law'. (law is widely ignored these days anyway). As they're not a secretive species, I'd quickly close off the bottom of the box when you can see that they're clearly outside the box and not around the outside of it in watching distance.
Thank you! Just the encouragement I needed -- did it swiftly between her twiggy trips and closed it properly now. Pretty sure she didn't notice me! Phew.
Well done! Do let us know if successful nest
2013 photos & vids here
eff37 on Flickr
Good work.