Bird Nest Box Maintenance and Clean-out

[@cpnotill9264]

Thank you for reminder to maintain the birdhouses and to put more up. We have five and will put up more very soon. I too have to thank you for your video on doing a walk around the property. I do it every week and have found some things that needed immediate attention and find it rewarding to just enjoy what we have created. You are a great inspiration and steward of the land, Mother Earth. 👍😁🌱

[@arialblack87]

So glad Jasmine is back in this video. Loved her little dance and song in the Wildlife one. Such a great energy! Super helpful info, as always. Thanks for taking the time to film them and share. Keep them coming

[@kirstenwhitworth8079]

Thank you so much Stefan & Jasmin! Merci beaucoup à tous!

[@kathryngagne5813]

Do you also have bat boxes? I learned alot today. Merci beaucoup!

[@StefanSobkowiak]

Yes they’re more like bat attics. Glad it helps.

[@delphzouzou4520]

@@StefanSobkowiak Nice, could you show us how it works, how it's made, once if you have the time ?

[@StefanSobkowiak]

It's coming. We have several videos to edit and post. Lots going on in the spring, even with help.

[@delphzouzou4520]

@@StefanSobkowiak Yeah, I can imagine there is a lot of work. :)

[@edibleacres]

We've missed the window on cleaning out our boxes I believe as we're central NY and the trees are leafed out and the birds are super active again. Is there another good window to go through and clean out boxes that you recommend? Mid-summer? Later Fall? Or is it really only at the end of winter as the right time? Thanks for making this!

[@StefanSobkowiak]

You can go through now if you can recognize an active nest and leave it be. Otherwise next winter is great.

[@backwoodsbaby9729]

Do you have videos about making nest boxes? I only have a yard but i think i will put several of these up in my fruit trees & a few purple martin houses for next summer

[@StefanSobkowiak]

We have a link to the plans but not how to build them. Good idea.

[@АлександрКузнецов-х1й4у]

Спасибо! Очень полезное видео! Я спрашивал про очистку в прошлом году. Осталось узнать размеры и диаметр отверстия.

[@alexisiaremenko2233]

Stefan merci pour vos vidéos. C’est vraiment magique de vous voir travailler en accord avec la nature

[@DAB520]

Thank you for passing on your knowledge. The video on aphids and excess nitrogen was enlightening. Karen pots lots of Geraniums and Marigolds, and we see aphids on many plants. She has used in the past a blue crystal fertilizer dissolved in water. We will find a type that has very low nitrogen levels, or dilute the blue mix with 3 or 4 parts water.

[@StefanSobkowiak]

Or if you try some liquid seaweed which has a perfectly balanced level of nutrients.

[@DAB520]

@@StefanSobkowiak Excellent suggestion...Thanks

[@PiRK38]

What diameter do you use for entrance holes? Is it multiple diameters to accommodate specific species in a given nestbox, or is it a "one size fits most" strategy?

[@TheKlink]

certain species wont go in holes that are too big, and then you'll have specific nesting couples that are just stubborn.

[@StefanSobkowiak]

There are 3 hole sizes: 1.5”, 2”, 3” and 3 box sizes one for each hole. We will try to get an upcoming video on the nest box design.

[@michaelnelson1911]

Could you share your nesting box sizes and design? Then what birds you are trying to attract for each size?

[@marko176schneider5]

Super Video.Danke!

[@Brandoncye]

Thank u for this. I put a very small wooden box out (I got from a Macy's) on the front porch and a super small bird made a nest and laid eggs in it. The baby's hatched and left, but I didn't know what to do with the box or nest.

[@StefanSobkowiak]

Compost it, there are nutrients painted all over the inside of that box.

[@Brandoncye]

@@StefanSobkowiak there is 1 little egg inside the box still.. I'm assuming it's an older egg that didn't hatch...? Bcuz I haven't seen any birds coming or going at all for probably about 2months I believe.

[@StefanSobkowiak]

Dud eggs happen the birds just left it. Be careful where you break it it will smell like rotten 🥚

[@DAB520]

Have you had a problem with squirrels or chipmunks chewing at the nestbox entrance? I see some in this video. I have had this problem with a sparrow box. My solution at the Urban Outdoor Store. I bought some brass coloured washer sets with different size holes. I think they were 1", 11/2 ", and 2" and 2 1/2" holes in the centre. Two small beveled screws holds the doorway washer in place. The squirrel got in and ate the eggs. Not anymore.

[@StefanSobkowiak]

Yes they chew. Great idea I never thought of brass washers. Didn’t know they came in such sizes.

[@DAB520]

@@StefanSobkowiak I have only seen such big centre holes at the Urban Outdoor Store. They come with the beveled screw holes already drilled. Large centre hole galvanized washers from the hardware store tend to be quite thick and you would still have to drill the holes. :)

[@twofawnswolfbandmeti]

first round of baby bluebirds have flown away. next box is FULL of earwigs and their eggs. I cleaned it out. will the bluebirds build again this year in that box? I have two other boxes that need to be cleaned out also (full of earwigs) yuck. should I leave them alone until winter? will the bluebirds come back to these boxes with the bugs in them?

[@StefanSobkowiak]

Yes even if not cleaned out.

[@kooale]

More Jasmine!

[@StefanSobkowiak]

Soon Ken, have one more video with Jasmine.

[@timbushell8640]

Late for your UK views, some there are on their second broods. But still good reminders.

[@StefanSobkowiak]

Sorry for the delay. Or well ahead for next year ;b

[@le4470]

I'm glad to see you use a mask over your nose as you clean out the boxes. Just to be safe not to breath in any debris as you don't know the health of the birds using it. I use temporary card board small boxes I get at the grocery store & burn them after the birds fly away for the season & put up another one. It works really well & I don't have to clean it out. One year as I cleaned out a wooden box, I got sick. I must have breathed in something from the box.

[@StefanSobkowiak]

The dust from a nest box is mostly fecal dust from the nestlings. Not all adults take and remove the fecal sacs.

[@joaoinacioribeiro8698]

Excellent contenu, merci beaucoup ! ❤

[@joemc111]

Very educational I’ve been watching birdhouse videos last two weeks there’s a man Greg Judy on his videos he shows how to build the birdhouse and how to maintain the box I think he’s got 400 out on his 1600 acres that he farms.

[@StefanSobkowiak]

Love Greg's channel. Yes he does a great job to attract more swallows.

[@GrumblingGrognard]

Jet Pack wanted me to tell you guys: she REALLY HATES the skirt.

[@StefanSobkowiak]

Hahaha