Nest box intrigue

In the garden we have three nesting boxes. Two are for tits and one is an open box. The open box has only ever been used once when Robins used it but the other two are used most years by either Great or Blue Tits although it is rare that both are used each year.

This year the one with the smallest hole has very surprisingly been taken over by Nuthatches. It amazes me that they get through the hole but they do. They have no need to mud the hole up though and have instead mudded up inside the nest box and outside under the roof. There is a but of mud placed on the rim of the hole though almost as though they have to do it. It is no longer possible to take off the roof to inspect the nest due to the mud but I have seen them taking bark in which is what they make the nest of. Blue and Great Tits have been looking at the other nest box and a few days ago Great Tits were taking nesting material into it. Then on Sunday I saw the Great Tits hanging around the Nuthatch nestbox and eventually going in. It took a long time before a Nuthatch turned up but the tits quickly moved off although returned later. Judging by the late response of the Nuthatch it is unlikely they are incubating although I have often seen one of them staying in the box. A Red Squirrel also showed an interest in the box and will take eggs if it gets the chance.

 

A trip into the forest yesterday revealed my first Three-toed Woodpecker for a long time. I could only find a female but may have found a hole that was being excavated but am unsure and it may also have been the handiwork of a food seeking Black Woodpecker. My sightings of Hazel Grouse were limited to droppings but the day active Tawny Owl was again singing and being scolded by Nutcrackers. The forest floor is covered in mouse holes in the grass so there is obviously lots of food here but I cannot find any nest hole and reckon this is an unpaired male who has been unable to find a territory and attract a mate. I managed to film him singing which was cool.

the nestbox. The Nuthatches (spettmeis) have placed mud inside the hole and have sealed up the crack under the roof both on the inside and outside. They have also placed some mud on the bottom of the rim.

Great Tit (kjøttmeis) on the nest box

and inside

A Nuthatch (spettmeis) returns

and a Red Squirrel shows an interest

Hazel Grouse (jerpe) poo

an angry Nutcracker (nøttekråke)

female Three-toed Woodpecker (tretåspett)

this hole was in the same tree the pecker was feeding in. Time will tell whether it is the start of a nesting hole for Three-toed or a hole made by a Black pecker looking for food