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Blue Tits

• Message 1. 

  Posted by PanyK (U14783790) on Friday, 11th March 2011

  I made a discussion two weeks ago about there being blue tits in my garden and they are still here(yay!). I put out a bird feeder and they go there every day. What I've realised is that they keep trying to get into my shed which is right behind where my apple tree is and the bird feeder is on the apple tree. Why are they trying to get in there and do you think they'll start nesting?

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• Message 2

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by Kleftiwallah (U13700999) on Friday, 11th March 2011

  I've cut a circular hole in the top of my shed door for access when the door is shut when I found a robin in there. Seems you might have to do the same? Cheers, Tony.

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• Message 3

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  Posted by Logissimo (U14020652) on Friday, 11th March 2011

  Lucky you Pany.
  
  I wonder if they are tapping at the shed window, in which case they may be attacking their own reflection believing it to be a rival in their territory. They also attack car wing mirrors for the same reason.
  
  Otherwise they may be having a good look around for nesting/food materials such as spiders andspiders' webs.
  
  Why don't you install a nesting box, even if it is too late this time round, they may have a second clutch and choose your box.
  
  Good watching
  
  L

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• Message 4

  , in reply to message 3.

  Posted by PanyK (U14783790) on Friday, 11th March 2011

  No my shed doesn't even have a window :P (it was built by my grandfather about thirty years ago). Yes I have a nesting box which I have been meaning to put outside and I will do tomorrow(saturday, you see, is the day I leave things to).

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• Message 5

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by janebal (U13998944) on Friday, 11th March 2011

  Our blue tits are looking for nesting sites at the moment and keep going in and out of nesting holes and boxes in our garden just to test them out. They wil not make a nest until May when the little green moth caterpillars are about but they like to thoroughly check out possible sites for about 6 weeks beforehand so maybe this is what yours are doing. We see them particularly in the morning when it is sunny - they don't seem to do this in the afternoon or on very dull days.

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• Message 6

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  Posted by Logissimo (U14020652) on Sunday, 13th March 2011

  As you say lots of caterpillars in May but
  
  "They wil not make a nest until May" , how does this work.
  
  The Blue tits have to find a home, build a nest, lay their eggs, up to 12, that means about 2 weeks; then incubate them, again another 2 weeks. This surely means that about now they have to start nest building.
  
  Sorry a bit pedantic but it's all still quite miraculous and thier tiny little biological clocks must be remarkable.
  
  Happy bird watching L

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• Message 7

  , in reply to message 6.

  Posted by Maria (U14341913) on Friday, 18th March 2011

  I've had a bird box attached to my shed for a few years and have often seen the blue tits popping their heads through the hole but they've never nested in the box.
  
  Yesterday I saw one actually went inside for a few seconds so I think I might be lucky this year. However, and this will probably sound silly, as I'll be in and out of the shed a lot in a few weeks' time when accessing the mower etc., will that disturb them and put them off nesting in my box?

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• Message 8

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  Posted by Papa Nopsis (U14479902) on Sunday, 20th March 2011

  It depends if its still cold.

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• Message 9

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  Posted by Toadspawn (U2334298) on Sunday, 20th March 2011

  When Blue tits start nesting it will take a lot to frighten them from eggs and young. You will not be going in and out of the shed every few minutes so don't worry. I have had Great tits using a box by my GH door for the last 4 years. They have started inspecting it again today.
  As Longissimo said Blue tits will not start nesting until they know that the hatching of the eggs will co-incide with the appearance of the right type of caterpillar on which the young are fed. These are very often found on Oak trees so when the leaves appear on the Oaks (May?) is when you will see young in the nests .
  
  At the present time Blue and Great Tits are investigating possible nest sites so they will go into any small hole to see if there is potential for them to build a nest and raise a brood.
  
  If your box hasn't been used for a few years perhaps it may need moving to a more suitable position in your garden. If you do this now you might be lucky and attract an occupant.

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• Message 10

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  Posted by Papa Nopsis (U14479902) on Monday, 21st March 2011

  the eggs will co-incide with the appearance of the right type of caterpillar on which the young are fed. 
  
  Would it not be any old caterpillar then? Which species? Interesting.!

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• Message 11

  , in reply to message 10.

  Posted by Toadspawn (U2334298) on Monday, 21st March 2011

  Hi Gardda
  
  As far as I know it is the small green/brown looper type caterpillar. These are commonly found on oak trees.
  

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• Message 12

  , in reply to message 9.

  Posted by Maria (U14341913) on Monday, 21st March 2011

  I'll move it now Toadspawn. Had no idea about those particular caterpillars. Fingers crossed I'll have some occupants in the coming weeks.
  
  Thank you.

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