Roosting blue tit - excited?

[dogsbody]

You bet I am.

The box on the rear of the house has been up for about 4 years with not so much as a sniff, but on Friday morning and evening interest from two of the cats (it is well out of their reach) made me wonder if something was roosting in there (perhaps the 3 wrens seen earlier in the week in the hedge?) so last night after emptying the 21 potato pots I sat in the entrance to the garage at about 4.30 and settled in to watch.

An hour later a blue tit zoomed down the garden and straight in!

Today it arrived a little earlier at about 4.15 (5.15 BST) and again flew into the garden and straight into the box.

I'm just hoping that may mean activity of a different sort next spring.

Off to look at retro-fitting a camera......

[mothhawk]

That's brilliant dogsbody

Very likely it will be used as a nest site next year.

I have 2 boxes in the garden and they are used by a pair of bluetits. The female sleeps in the one near the house, and her mate sleeps in the other - he always goes to bed last. In spring the female builds in her box and sleeps there, and the male continues to use the other.

I generally give them a good clean out in August as they are not used through the summer after the babies have fledged, put a bit of something in for winter warmth (this year I've used a piece of wadded hanging basket liner in each), ready for them when they return mid September.

Hope you get as much enjoyment from your bird as I do from mine.

[dogsbody]

Thank you Mothhawk - interestingly the moss in the guttering above the box (I know, I should have cleaned it out by now) is hanging over as if bits have been "obtained".

Looking forward to next spring now....

[Two_Sheds]

Off to look at retro-fitting a camera......

but then you might scare them off.


How about fitting a 2nd box, with the camera in it from the start?

[Kirk]

Why does the word "roosting" often look like "roasting" at first glance?

I would leave the camera out, every chance it will disturb them and they will disappear.

[Glutton4...]

Why does the word "roosting" often look like "roasting" at first glance?...

I clicked on this thread for that very reason. Must be hungry...

[veggiechicken]

Grabbed my attention too - but because I thought I might have to report some cruelty
I wouldn't disturb them now, just keep watching the nestbox

[dogsbody]

Thanks everyone, camera plans on hold........