Tapping Sound Coming From Bluetit Nesting Box

[Christianne]

For the past week there has been an intermittent but very rapid tapping sound coming from the bluetit nesting box on the wall. I have only once seen a bird enter and exit the box, and no other activity. The sound is particularly noticeable early in the mornings. The box hasn't been used for years, so last year, I took it down and cleaned it out. I also put a new box further away on the same wall. No visitors are interested in that one. Could anyone explain why there should be so much tapping, but so little bird activity? It's intriguing!

[Old_Geezer]

It's calling for room service.

My guess would be much as Scrivens has said. One at least is interested and making initial preparations ?

It's possible the new one has that "new nesting box" smell but will be more favoured in later years. (Or maybe it's in a less salubrious part of the wall. It's all location, location, location these days.)

[Chipchopper]

I think that part of its survival skills is to enter and exit the box without being noticed by predators etc.

[ladybirder]

It could be making the hole bigger although they usually do that from the outside. Are you sure you haven't got a woodpecker around?

[wolf63]

Hopefully this clip will explain what it going on

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3btjAslx-OY

[heathfield]

I put up a box for blue tits some years ago, with an RSPB-recommended hole size. Blue tits arrived, didn't like the hole size, and spent about a week pecking away to make it slightly bigger. Most of their work was on the outside, but some was also from inside the box.

[ruthann58]

i have four tit boxes on the back of the house and sometimes they sound like they are playing the drums they do it every year , they usually settle down once the eggs are laid

[Christianne]

Many thanks for all your answers, I will be very pleased to see the box occupied once more, the amount of carpentry going on in there must be quite extensive judging by the continual tapping! The bespoke kitchen should be top quality! Wolf63 I loved your video! That was so funny!