Woodpecker in Blue Tit nest box (1 Viewer)

[Saphire]

I have been watching a woodpecker making the hole bigger on a blue tit nest box and going inside, is it deep enough for them to nest in, if not then I will be making the hole smaller with a metal opening so the blue tits can have there nest box back.

 

[Marmot]

Woodpeckers actually go in the boxes to see if there is any little BTs inside to eat! So I suggest you get one of the covers in metal to stop it or something like this.
http://www.birdfood.co.uk/product_details.php?area_id=2&group_id=17&nav_id=42&prd_id=403

Here is an article about a GSW doing what your is trying to acheive.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...saves-family-blue-tits-hungry-woodpecker.html

 

[Saphire]

Thanks Marmot, this woodpecker is inside and keeps coming back and staying. It does sound like its trying to make the box bigger because I can hear lots of tapping going on.

 

[Jos Stratford]

They also like to roost in such boxes - I have one box in my garden that is annually used for nesting by Starlings in spring, immediately after by breeding Swifts, then a Great Spotted Woodpecker roosts in it during winter.

Other woodpeckers roost in other boxes.

 

[Saphire]

Thanks you Jos, I have just uploaded an image of the female sat in the box, its goes away for a little while and then it come back.
I just wondered if it might try to nest in there as the usual place it nests in the oak tree, the starlings have taken over.

 

[Jos Stratford]

I would suppose that nesting is unlikely (the depth of the box is not great and they do prefer to excavate), but if you watch the box for the half hour before dusk, including very late dusk, you may well find it is roosting there.

 

[Mary]

Christine, please let us know the outcome, it's fascinating!