The 14th - 21st February National Nest Box Week!
Will you do your bit to help wild birds around Kirkby Fleetham and beyond
Left to Right - Nuthatch nest, Stock Dove chick, Piedflycatcher nest.
Our small boxes are built to accommodate a number of species, or cavity nesters. These birds are House and Tree Sparrows, Great and Blue Tits, Nuthatch, Redstart, Pied Flycatcher.
The target species for our Large Nest Boxes are Tawny and Barn Owls. However, these large boxes may be used by species such as Mandarin Ducks, Jackdaws, or Kestrels.
All depends on site and location, ideally a quiet spot with lack of disturbance and habitat suitable for that species.
Our small boxes are made for inspection, and ease of maintenance. It is important that nesting birds feel secure, well protected. Here at the Trust all our boxes are under the BTO ( British Trust of Ornithology) national nesting scheme. The species, number of eggs, and number of juvenile birds are all recorded by trained permit holders. The nestlings are ringed in the box at a suitable age and therefore we can track the various movements and longevity of species. Sadly nature is cruel, and If the nest is part built , or chicks are abandoned, or dead in a box, that information is also recorded.
Jackdaws have taken to this box.
There is constant danger for our nesting birds, the adult birds need to brood and feed their young and run the gauntlet of cats, Sparrowhawks, cars and man, etc. If an adult is killed, then the amount of food coming back to the nest is compromised. Woodpeckers, Jackdaws, Crows and Magpies will all take nestlings from the box if given the opportunity. Grey Squirrels will often chew into boxes if times are hard, and Stoats and Weasels , plus other predators will not miss an opportunity to extract a tasty morsel in the guise of a nestling.
This Grey Squirrel has taken over this Tawny Owl box, certainly a cosy home for it. The Tawny eggs were found some months later when cleaning boxes out surprisingly untouched underneath the bedding.
Thankfully from constant monitoring most of our birds get away safely.
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