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Birdhouse not being used

14 years ago

For years, we had (and still have) a birdhouse that was used by titmice. Then, all of a sudden a few years ago they stopped using it, as well as any other birds. Still plenty of titmice at the feeders, though. We do have several large dead pines we left standing (the bottom 15-20 feet) for the woodpeckers, and are wondering if the titmice simply prefer natural cavities to a birdhouse. Any thoughts?

Larry

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Comments (2)

Konrad___far_north
14 years ago
Could be,...do you clean the house annually?

This is a must do thing, another problem is here, the house wrens fill most of the houses with sticks at the end of season and after birds have fledged. I was waiting a bit too long to do it this spring and when the tree swallows arrived I noticed that nobody went in and out,...telling me get them cleaned! Then they were staking claims after I cleaned them.
Some houses are stuffed with dry mushrooms,..could be the northern flying Squirrel, one house I counted 28 mushrooms!

One good thing is, the house wrens migrate here late in spring when most of the houses are occupied,.. they're not here yet.
madsquopper
Original Author
14 years ago
Yes, the house is cleaned and the wrens don't ever seem to use this particular house. Guess I won't worry about it too much, although it was entertaining being able to watch the parents go in and out, and then be able to hear the chicks peeping.
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