Will the blue tit return? (1 Viewer)

[Kerri Marie]

1. Hello, we have had a blue tit roosting in our nest box for the past 8 nights. I think today she may have spotted the camera as she flew up and started staring right at it and then she flew out the box and hasn’t been back. I have read that maybe she spotted her reflection and thinks another tit has taken over the box and she probably won’t be back. Do you think this is the case? There is a little plastic covering on 1 side of the box which I have now covered over with some waterproof black material to stop any glare from the sun going onto the camera (she has been coming in while it is still a bit light and some sun is still up) . I have stuck it down with some yellow tape. Do you think this will help or should I just leave it as it was before as the side of the box looks a bit different now? I’m at a loss of what to do and really hope she comes back.

 

[KC Foggin]

Hi Kerri and a warm welcome to you .

Seeing its' reflection was my first thought but my next thought was that you should find a tape the color of the box or a bit drab as the color yellow might put it off. Good luck and let us know if it comes back. Fingers crossed.

 

[Kerri Marie]

Hello and thank you so much for your reply. It’s very much appreciated. So, you definitely think I should keep the black waterproof material covering the plastic transparent little window on then and just change the yellow tape?

 

[Kits]

Welcome to Birdforum.

I would remove the covering and leave the box well alone. Interfering with it is likely to put birds off using it.

We have a nest box which sounds the same as yours. We’ve also had blue tits looking at the camera and it’s not deterred them from returning to the box and using it.

 

[Kerri Marie]

Thank you so much. I will remove the cover. Would you suggest maybe covering the camera with something in case it was a case of her seeing her reflection and that’s why she flew off? If so, what would you suggest ( something see through as would still like to see her if she comes back) please or should I leave the camera alone as well?

 

[Kits]

I’d leave the camera alone too.

 

[Kerri Marie]

Ok, thank you so much for the advice. Fingers crossed she comes back xx🤞xx

I’m so glad to be a part of this group xx

 

[Kerri Marie]

Hello again, just a quick update. I’m so happy to say that the blue tit has come back and only stayed away for 1 night. Thank you so much again for your advice. It’s so lovely watching her again xx

 

[Kits]

Thanks for the update, Kerri. That’s good news!

 

[Freeya]

I’ve had a blue tit going in and out of its nest but has gone out and not returned for about 1 - 2 hours now. What happened?

 

[Dt66]

Hi can anyone help please 🙏 my blue tits started building their nest and it was almost complete but they haven’t been back for almost 2 weeks now, should I remove the nest to give other birds a chance.

 

[YuShan]

Hi can anyone help please 🙏 my blue tits started building their nest and it was almost complete but they haven’t been back for almost 2 weeks now, should I remove the nest to give other birds a chance.

Never touch anything until the breeding season is over. It isn't necessary either, because if another bird wants to build a nest there, they will build it right on top.

 

[Colly]

I get blue tits every year they breed in a cavity block in our garden I've seen 1 this week in a tree beside us but it's only 1 wondering why only 1 do they not come in pairs

 

[Kerri Marie]

Hello everyone. I’m not sure if it is the same blue tit. We have a nesting box with a camera facing south which after a lot of reading, it’s not advisable.

We were going to move it this weekend but today I have seen a pair of blue tits checking it out and flying in and out of it on numerous occasions.

Shall we still move it to a different location or leave it where it is as I would hate to scare the blue tits away from potentially nesting in the box

 

[delia todd]

Hi again Kerri - I've replied to this question on your other thread today.

 

[Kerri Marie]

Hello to you all and thank you for your replies. We did move the box at the weekend and for the first 2 days, there were a pair of blue tits checking it out early in the morning.

They haven’t been back and I have noticed there is a little bit of dust, cobwebs, fluff inside the box. Do you think that might have put them off and should I clean it out or leave it? It is only a bit (please see attached photo).

We did have a blue tit roosting in this box a couple of years ago over the winter but don’t think there’s any feathers in the box.

 

[Kerri Marie]

Little update, the blue tits are still checking out the box every so often but attack the camera everytime. I managed to get a little video. I’m having to adjust it as can’t see anything when they move it xx🤣xx Still no signs of nest building though so not sure if camera is putting them off xx