For the last few years I have had Blue Tits nest in various boxes and after they have flown, I tend to get the box down and clean it out, usually finding an odd young one that didn't survive ect :'(
However I give the box a good scrub in the summer and pop it back into position.
However the last box that they used was fixed very high up on the wall.
We gave it a quick check after use to make sure there were no little ones in there that had not survived, it was a stunning nest which we admired and for whatever reason we did not clean it out.
In some ways I am glad now as the box has been in constant use over the winter and I am aware that it may be used again for nesting in the spring, but I wish to clean it out and give it a good scrub before that time, so my question is, if I did that perhaps in the next month or so would that be ok bearing in mind it is still being used for comfort and warmth at this present time? I seriously do not want to confuse the Blue tits and scare them away if the nesting material that has brought them comfort all year long suddenly dissapears and scares them into moving else where and having to suddenly find a new location to nest in.
Think I read an article by Kate Humble that from w/c 14th february, we should all be clearing out the Bird Nest boxes in readiness for the next breeding season. I see the rspb recommend putting in some dried grass but NOT straw after we clean them out thoroughly. I have been going to do this all week and like you my blue tit box is quite high up so have to get OH to get the big ladder out. I shall do it soon.
Blue tits have already started using mine, so no time to clean it out! They caught me hopping.
I cleaned mine out over Christmas it also had a beautiful nest in it. I think the bluetits have been using it again for shelter so hopefully they will nest there again.
Yes its that fine line between determining when they are using it for shelter and as we are all aware, will be using it for nesting soon.
I dont want to take away their lovely comfy home suddenly that they have been using over the winter, but I also want to make sure the nest box is spotless and free of mites before the blue tits settle down for nesting, but think like you Carol that now is the right time to take the plunge and why I aked the question, to make sure that what my instint was telling me, was the right thing to do.
Oh the concerns of being a wild life guardian! :)
Yes you are better to clean the box than risk endangering the birds.