Lesser Spotted Woodpecker!! (1 Viewer)

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chris3871

Explorer Extraordinaire

• Aug 25, 2004

• #41

tp20uk said:

Oh - maybe I won't buy one after all!

Click to expand...

You're right that they are like starling boxes but there usually full of something. Sometimes polystyrene or other times it might be balsa wood or compacted wood shavings. This means that they can make their own hole, but its easier going.
I've always thought that polystyrene can't be a good idea, as you'll end up with those little polystyrene 'bits' everywhere!
I don't know how willing the birds are to use these boxes, and probably would agree that they would prefer a real dead tree.

 

david2004

Well-known member

• Aug 25, 2004

• #42

thanks chris - didnt know that.

 

Jos Stratford

Eastern Exile

Staff member

• Aug 25, 2004

• #43

I too don't like the idea of those little white bits of polystyrene floating all over my garden, so won't be putting out any boxes with that stuff ...but added element to this thread - Great Spotted Woodpeckers do roost in my starling boxes in winter

 

david2004

Well-known member

• Aug 25, 2004

• #44

I would hate the bits too. Surely using an artificial substance can't be good for them?

 

Jos Stratford

Eastern Exile

Staff member

• Aug 25, 2004

• #45

Mind you, thinking how cold it gets here in winter - down to minus 25 - I would't mind a few centimetres of polystyrene floating round me!!!

 

david2004

Well-known member

• Aug 25, 2004

• #46

heehee - our region is completely without snow most of the time! well not this year...