Nesting birds

Observing nesting birds can be a tricky business. To get a true picture of the dynamics involved in raising a clutch involves a lot of time, especially if there are 30+ nesting boxes to keep an eye on. Not to mention all the natural nesting opportunities that have done service until now.

The boxes are aimed at specific birds that are likely to find them acceptable; Blue Tits, Great Tits, Coal Tits, European Robins and Eurasian Wrens. The tits like the classic box with the unfeasibly small hole, whilst the robin and the wren like open-fronted facilities.

Whilst we might hope for 5 species nesting in the boxes, Bicknor Wood has played host to at least 10 other species which have bred successfully there; Common Woodpigeon, Eurasian Collared Dove, Greater Spotted Woodpecker, Eurasian Blackbird, Song Thrush, Willow Warbler, Eurasian Magpie, Eurasian Jay, Eurasian Nuthatch and Dunnock.

Further to these, there is evidence to suggest breeding attempts from at least 6 other species; Eurasian Treecreeper, Chiffchaff, Long-tailed Tit, Eurasian Blackcap, Common Chaffinch and Eurasian Goldfinch. Their attempts have not produced confirmed results, but that's where you come in. Please let me know if you see any behaviour that might indicate attempts at breeding eg. copulating, territorial singing, carrying nesting material, carrying food. Birds seldom carry stuff unless it it is making a nest or feeding chicks, so a beakful of anything is a good indicator. The best evidence of course is a young bird. You can contact Simon at this blog on redgannet@gmail.com, or leave a message in the comments section below.

April and May are likely to be very busy months for nesting birds, so please be on the lookout for evidence of breeding. Please also be aware that your presence might be enough to deter the birds and they may move elsewhere. Give them enough space to feel comfortable and move on after a short while. Some birds may be reluctant to approach the nest with people around and chicks may get hungry and cold as they wait for their parents to return.