I am 'now' successfully feeding our local birds (mostly Sparrows) at the front of the house, but I'm having less success at the back.
I installed this very well built and solid bird box about 4 years ago, and although it is in a secure position, it has yet to have any residents. I haven't even seen any birds having a tour of inspection.
It has a good watertight roof, the inside is clean and 'cosy', and it is situated away from prying Cats or Foxes. In other words (to me) it seems ideal for a blossoming family of Blue or Great Tits.
I suppose I could hang a seed-filled feeder nearby to attract them, but that may prove to be counter-productive.
Anyway, I've given it a clean, installed a 'Vacant' sign, and am crossing my fingers.
For heaven's sake; it even has Roses around the door (or it will have). What more could they possibly want!
6 comments:
I know precious little about plants but suspect it's the rose. Try swapping it for a clematis. The white flowering one works a treat with sparrows here and it smells nice, is evergreen and only needs trimming once a year in Feb/Mar. Don't trim after that as they'll be nesting and only townies cut hedges in summer.
A bird box builder told me the best place for a bird box is high up with the entrance facing north/north-east.
I'd be hanged drawn and quartered if I touched that Rose! It'll HAVE to stay.
Ours faces due South; I wonder if that's the problem? Thanks.
I wonder if the bird box looks a little exposed up there with very little green coverage. Adrian's idea of a climbing Clematis sounds like a good idea.
South facing will cook the chicks. North facing is best. Roses, no problem. Our nest box is surrounded by a very energetic climbing rose. Ours is only 5 foot off the ground but very sheltered. Also, cut the perch off if you want blue tits. They don't need it and it's easier for slightly bigger birds such as great tits to land and enter the nest and do damage. Which they do. Gawd blimey, it's complicated! 😁
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