Re: I have a mystery tenant

Maybe Julie whomever it is they are welcome to housing for the winter ...

Re: I have a mystery tenant

Maybe a dormouse even, look out for the Cheshire Cat.

Re: I have a mystery tenant

Its an old article,but its good housekeeping.

http://www.rspb.org.uk/community/wil...intenance.aspx

Re: I have a mystery tenant

I have always cleaned out the bird boxes every year, but do not bother with the one the blue tits used for winter roosting, I feel it is too accessible for cats etc., if there were young birds. I do have four other boxes that can be used for nesting, but strangely they never winter roost in those.

Re: I have a mystery tenant

This is a new box which has never been inhabited, when it has been used I will clean out and wash it every autumn.

Re: I have a mystery tenant

Who goes round cleaning out the holes in the trees, the nest box fairy?

Re: I have a mystery tenant

Obviously no one cleans them but nesting areas can harbour parasites so when there is an opportunity to clean one out it makes sense to do so.

Re: I have a mystery tenant

I take the attitude that the less human contact the better.

Re: I have a mystery tenant

As in ... a human is the biggest parasite.

It's the same though with any feeding areas. Germs and poops breed diseases. A good clean now and then is a must.

Re: I have a mystery tenant

Cleaning of feeders and bird tables is essential. I use Jeyes fluid on the bird table, because in the past I have had Greenfinches with Trichomosis, and this can affect Sparrows, Great Tits as well as finches. A couple of years ago I had several Greenfinches die in the garden from this. I then stop feeding the birds for a few weeks and clean everything as the disease is carried on saliva. It is horrible to see the dead birds with seeds caked around their beaks where they have tried eating but cannot.