Birds suddenly on the balcony?

Question

Hello,

Last year, I had a birdhouse on my balcony where the blue and coal buckets had nested for years. They were used to it every year, and birds bred there every year. The birdhouse was very old, though, so I unfortunately had to throw it away last winter because it was already slightly rotten.

Additionally, the neighbor who lives below me complained because I had hung up bird food and the birds ate it, thus ending up with the mess. Since then, there's been no food or birdhouse, and I haven't seen a bird on my balcony since, because the tree next to my balcony was also cut down.

I just heard chirping and said that two great tits were sitting on my balcony and chirping loudly.

I have a bad feeling now… because it's possible they're looking for a nest. Even though most of the birds have already raised their first offspring. Do you think I can put up another birdhouse? And some more will move in? Right?

And if the birdhouse doesn't work out because I don't know where to buy this or that, I'd like to hang up some food. And I couldn't care less about the neighbor down there. What food do you recommend for this time of year? Or do you have any other tips or thoughts?

mfg

cougar99 · Answer

Regarding breeding: if conditions are favorable (lots of aphids, etc.), both tit species are happy to breed again. A suitable nesting box should be easily found at a garden center, with the diameter of the entrance hole affecting the type of visitor: a slightly smaller entrance hole will appeal to blue tits, a larger opening to great tits. A sheet-metal-clad entrance hole prevents a woodpecker from enlarging the opening and massacring the clutch or nestlings!

Regarding feeding: It's not necessary to offer food now; the birds will find enough food for themselves and their young! Only when the ground is dry or covered in snow do tits and other small birds benefit from feeding stations. They shouldn't be able to sit on the food, as this could spread diseases through their droppings.