Spurrells Wood Nest Box Work Party

The Spurrell's Wood nest boxes have been monitored for two years (2024 and 2025), nest records submitted to the British Trust for Ornithology, chicks ringed and a few Great Tits have had faecal samples taken. In October last year I checked 19 of the boxes used to complete the nest records, looking for ringed young that hadn't left the box.

During our monitoring visits we had noticed that many of the boxes were "showing their age" (like the surveyors!). Some were becoming loose, the tops not screwing down etc and we have had to make “running repairs” during our visits. So we planned a nest box check before the start of the 2026 breeding season.

The most convenient date was the morning of 11th Feb although rain was forecast. However, I had prepared a recording sheet showing the locations of all the nest boxes, including the 30 boxes that have been used in at least one of the last two years. Undaunted, Alan, Carol, Val, Stu, Simon G, Roger and I arrived and formed three teams to check as many boxes as we could. We didn’t have the kit or time to repair boxes so four were removed as they were found to be beyond use – rotted back board, enlarged hole, etc. Sadly one of these boxes had been used before. As there are some boxes/locations that the birds prefer over others, if there is time we’ll try and put a replacement up.

A fantastic 51 boxes that weren’t used this year to our knowledge were checked. Many of these showed evidence of roosting, with old compacted nest material in a few boxes. However, one box did have a fresh “nest”, nicely woven and domed, which moved a little as I raised the lid. I replaced the lid quickly and gently to leave the presumed Wood Mouse to continue its slumbers.

Checking Bird Boxes in Sustead

Heavy rain came earlier than expected. With recording sheets becoming soggy, data potentially lost and, more importantly, the increased risk of a slip on a wet ladder I decided it was better to call a halt. Including boxes already visited last October we only missed fewer than 10, which was a great result. We retreated to the outdoor classroom on the Common for coffee. Our greatest regret was that the usual doughnuts had been cancelled too 😉!

It would be great to visit again this autumn, after the nesting season, to modify and repair at least the favoured boxes.

John Swallow

February 11th 2026