Blog of The Organic Gardener

The Box Next Door

By now you may have seen Blue Tits already looking around for possible nesting sites - this post is a bit late.

I'm always curious to see them checking the bird boxes. They land outside the hole, and with all the mannerisms of a nosy neighbour, look inside while checking around outside as if to see that no one is watching them.

I may be wrong but I believe that they are scent marking the hole, perhaps using oil glands around their beak, so as to keep their rivals away.

Well if you haven't put up a nesting box by now, it may soon be too late.

Last week I noticed a finch come down to the water when it was frozen. Instead of water it splashed the frost over its wings. Do leave out some food and unfrozen water for the birds.