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Nest Boxes - To Clean or Not? (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Kenny
- Start date
Elizabeth Bigg
Addicted member
The advice from the RSPB, BTO and some Wildlife Trusts is that they should be cleaned out. When we cleaned out ours in October, there were lots of creepy-crawlies there. If you go to our website (January 1st 2003), you can read the advice given by the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust.
PS I don't think birds take in roosting bedding - this is probably left-over stuff from last year's nests, or maybe nests that were started but never used.
PS I don't think birds take in roosting bedding - this is probably left-over stuff from last year's nests, or maybe nests that were started but never used.
trealawboy
Well-known member
Kenny said:
As recent nestbox event held by my local bird club suggested now is the time to clean boxes out. There may be some unwanted parasites lurking.
However, given that spring is very early this year, swallows and house martins are already on the south coast, and I've seen daffodils in full bloom in South Wales, it may be worth double checking that this is not fresh nesting materials you've discovered. Its possible I guess some resident birds are already starting nest comstruction.
IanF
Moderator
I always clean out our boxes and even disinfect them too - just with an anti-bacterial spray and then flush them again with water. Every time there are loads of bugs and small flies and I dare say fleas!
I think the new nestlings could well do without having parasites to contend with.
I think the new nestlings could well do without having parasites to contend with.
Last edited:
Hi Kenny.
I would think it very unlikely that this bedding is used for roosting purposes. Around my local area i have erected up to 25 boxes, these mainly tit boxes. I know of at least 5-6 boxes being used for roosting during the winter months (mid september - early March). I have not found any evidence of any material brought in by either Blue or Great tits during this period.
I tend to clean the boxes out twice a year first in Sept and again in january.
If you are keen to learn about Nestboxes i would recommend the 24th(new) BTO nestbox guide by Chris de feu.
If you are not to keen in removing the bedding due to uncertainty try to keep an eye on birds visiting the boxes with bedding. Good luck and keep us informed.
I would think it very unlikely that this bedding is used for roosting purposes. Around my local area i have erected up to 25 boxes, these mainly tit boxes. I know of at least 5-6 boxes being used for roosting during the winter months (mid september - early March). I have not found any evidence of any material brought in by either Blue or Great tits during this period.
I tend to clean the boxes out twice a year first in Sept and again in january.
If you are keen to learn about Nestboxes i would recommend the 24th(new) BTO nestbox guide by Chris de feu.
If you are not to keen in removing the bedding due to uncertainty try to keep an eye on birds visiting the boxes with bedding. Good luck and keep us informed.
I made a point of cleaning them all last autumn which is why I'm puzzled. Is suspect that sparrows are doing this but not sure about the open nest box which is not well covered as it should be, and on a tree. At first glance there doesn't seem to be many parasites, and thee are some feathers present. Don't want to be the home wrecker in this case.
Michael Frankis
conehead
I think the latest advice is to pour in a kettle of boiling water - kills any parasites, but doesn't leave any potentially toxic residues that could harm a bird that comes in that evening to roost
Michael
Michael
It would most certainly be wise to do that Kenny as today having a day off work I watched the garden birds and surprise surprise.....a robin has started nest building! It is buildind a nest as the same place as last year although a touch earlier.
It is amazing how they can build a nest without hardly being detected so do watch out.
It is amazing how they can build a nest without hardly being detected so do watch out.
janetclark
Well-known member
Cleaning
Hi everyone,
The box that I have had up for four years was never cleaned until it started to fall apart at the end of last year, mainly because my son put it up to high for me to reach. And I had Blue tits nesting in it every year, but when I took it down I gave it a really good clean, as it had skeletons of at least two babies at the edge of the nest. It seamed that they had been there for a very long time, and didn't stop the box from being used.
I now have four boxes and will be cleaning them every year in December, all I used was boiling water and a stiff brush.
Janet.
Hi everyone,
The box that I have had up for four years was never cleaned until it started to fall apart at the end of last year, mainly because my son put it up to high for me to reach. And I had Blue tits nesting in it every year, but when I took it down I gave it a really good clean, as it had skeletons of at least two babies at the edge of the nest. It seamed that they had been there for a very long time, and didn't stop the box from being used.
I now have four boxes and will be cleaning them every year in December, all I used was boiling water and a stiff brush.
Janet.
Elizabeth Bigg
Addicted member
Sleeper said:
Two years ago a pair of robins surprised us - we'd put an open fronted box in the hedge near the back gate, many years ago. Although we went past it several times a day, we didn't realise there was a nest there at last - until one day my husband saw some leaves poking out. He looked in - and found an incubating female looking back at him! The pair successfully raised four chicks - you can see a photo on our website - go to April 9th, 2002 and following dates.
They didn't return there in 2003, but we thought we had robins nesting in the hedge at the other side of the house, because we watched them taking mealworms into the hedge regularly - it was only later that we found they were going through the hedge - into our neighbour's shed!
alcedo.atthis
Well-known member
Nestboxes, the do's and don'ts?
In England, general licence
WLF 100068 states :-
Terms and Conditions
This licence only applies to the taking by hand and destroying of an egg of a wild bird, or any part of such an egg from nest boxes in England not currently in use by birds, during the period 1 August to 31 January. It is issued soley in order to permit the removal of abandoned or unsuccessfull eggs from nest boxes before the next breeding season. All eggs removed from nest boxes under this licence must be destroyed at the first available opportunity.
In Scotland, general licence
SENGEN/15 states :-
Conditions
This licence only applies to the taking by hand and destroying of eggs of wild birds, or any part of such eggs, from nest boxes in Scotland not currently in use by birds, during the period 1 August to 31 January, and is issued soley in order to permit the removal of abandoned or unsuccessfull eggs from nest boxes before the next breeding season.
Considering that it is illegal to disturb nesting birds, the dates of 1st August to 31st January are mentioned in both licences, and they both state "not currently in use" I wonder if there would be a case against anyone actually interferring with a nest box outside the dates mentioned, if there are signs of habitation or use?
Malky @ Westhill
In England, general licence
WLF 100068 states :-
Terms and Conditions
This licence only applies to the taking by hand and destroying of an egg of a wild bird, or any part of such an egg from nest boxes in England not currently in use by birds, during the period 1 August to 31 January. It is issued soley in order to permit the removal of abandoned or unsuccessfull eggs from nest boxes before the next breeding season. All eggs removed from nest boxes under this licence must be destroyed at the first available opportunity.
In Scotland, general licence
SENGEN/15 states :-
Conditions
This licence only applies to the taking by hand and destroying of eggs of wild birds, or any part of such eggs, from nest boxes in Scotland not currently in use by birds, during the period 1 August to 31 January, and is issued soley in order to permit the removal of abandoned or unsuccessfull eggs from nest boxes before the next breeding season.
Considering that it is illegal to disturb nesting birds, the dates of 1st August to 31st January are mentioned in both licences, and they both state "not currently in use" I wonder if there would be a case against anyone actually interferring with a nest box outside the dates mentioned, if there are signs of habitation or use?
Malky @ Westhill
