Woodpecker box maintenance

[jimbeaux]

Hello,
I put a woodpecker box up in some local woods a few years ago and apart from repairing the hole and lid I've left it pretty much alone.

Judging by the state of the hole it's definitely been used in the past by either Green or Greater-spotted.

My query is:

Should I be clearing out the box each year as I do with my other bird boxes? And, if so, have I left it too late this year?

I live in Kent, UK.

Cheers

Jim

[david2004]

I think it is advised that any box should be cleaned out at the end of the year. This is because of overwintering fleas and parasites that can actually harm the birds. I left one Tit box uncleaned for a few years without knowing you had to clean them at the time. The nest was almost moving with fleas!

I'm sure someone else will be able to offer better advice, but I think it may be slightly late for this year. You might still be able to though, as long as it's before any nesting gets underway.