Hi all,
It's been a while, but I am back with a problem. This year was the first year I have but a nest box up and we have been lucky enough to have blue tits in it. Now we have woken up this morning to the hole in the bird box looking as if it has been chewed/pecked to about twice the size, with bits of the nest all over the floor.
I'm not sure what to do as I can hear chicks in there and I have seen the blue tits go in and out this morning. I have read about putting a metal plate or something to make the hole smaller, but not sure whether to do this with chicks in there. I really don't want to disturb it any more than it already has been. I was thinking just to superglue a metal plate onto it, not obviously hammering one in, but I just don't know :-(
I know this has definitely only happened since yesterday afternoon as we are out there every day cleaning up after the dog!
Thanks for any help in advance.
Janie
Fish are friends not food :-)
Think a Woodpecker after the chicks and if you can quickly glue a plate on probably best you can do but always a risk they might still make a hole lower down.
Hi Janie
I agree with Sooty it sounds like a Woodpecker has had a go at the box,there is probably not a lot you can do this year but if you get them regularly you can get boxes made out of concrete that should stop them..www.britishbirdfood.co.uk/.../1b-concrete-nest-box
Regards Alan
My photos are on Flickr and Website
Hi Alan/Sooty,
Thanks and yes, definitely concrete boxes next year. The parents have been so busy today as I have been watching all afternoon. It's sad, but I am just going to let nature take it's course and keep my fingers crossed for the little chicks.