No need to put anything in the nest box, the birds will only remove it anyway. If you think its sited in an inappropriate place then now would be a good time to move it (if unoccupied) so birds come familiar with it in time for next year.
We have different types of nest boxes all over our house/garden which is very rural & every one of them is taken! Last year woodpeckers attacked some of the boxes & removed the contents, it hasn't happened this year yet, but I should maybe buy some metal hole guards for the future. Interestingly, every old swallow & house martin nest here are being taken by tree sparrows, which must leave the migrants very frustrated when they return & have to start from scratch again! I could also waste hours watching the wildlife in my garden!
It was a small piece of expandable/collabsable trellis from B&Q that was quite cheap to buy from their outdoor garden section.
Tits and sparrows can easily get through the trellis, especially if there are live mealworms to be had. I put a sting of gardening wire across the gap higher up to stop larger birds getting through, but a starling did manage to squeeze through the other day. It took nearly all the worms in one sitting. But seeing as they are in decline and maybe feeding young, I let it be.
Looks like the blackbird nest behind my garage has been abandoned/attacked? She was happy sitting on the nest leading upto my two week holiday. Upon my return home the other day the nest is empty, although there are no signs of broken egg. What a shame.
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No need to put anything in the nest box, the birds will only remove it anyway. If you think its sited in an inappropriate place then now would be a good time to move it (if unoccupied) so birds come familiar with it in time for next year.
We have different types of nest boxes all over our house/garden which is very rural & every one of them is taken! Last year woodpeckers attacked some of the boxes & removed the contents, it hasn't happened this year yet, but I should maybe buy some metal hole guards for the future. Interestingly, every old swallow & house martin nest here are being taken by tree sparrows, which must leave the migrants very frustrated when they return & have to start from scratch again! I could also waste hours watching the wildlife in my garden!
Very probably Jo
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Your welcome, I like to also keep the wood pigeons off the table.
It was a small piece of expandable/collabsable trellis from B&Q that was quite cheap to buy from their outdoor garden section.
Tits and sparrows can easily get through the trellis, especially if there are live mealworms to be had. I put a sting of gardening wire across the gap higher up to stop larger birds getting through, but a starling did manage to squeeze through the other day. It took nearly all the worms in one sitting. But seeing as they are in decline and maybe feeding young, I let it be.
Looks like the blackbird nest behind my garage has been abandoned/attacked? She was happy sitting on the nest leading upto my two week holiday. Upon my return home the other day the nest is empty, although there are no signs of broken egg. What a shame.