The Benefits of Second Homes in Suffolk

In June we had a total of 26 nesting pairs, three of which arrived in June. Judging by their smart feathering they were later bred young from last season rather that failed breeders from other colonies. three pairs arriving here in June is average for this colony.

In June we had a total of 26 nesting pairs, three of which arrived in June. Judging by their smart feathering they were later bred young from last season rather that failed breeders from other colonies. three pairs arriving here in June is average for this colony.

Weather conditions have been good in Suffolk by June, 14 pairs have fledged. Strong flying first broods and parents are enthusiastically starting second broods.

Following spells of poor weather during the rearing stage it is not unusual to have one or two weaker chicks in a brood which struggle to complete the challenging feat of following their parents back into the safety of the correct nest. However, landing on the house roof exhausted is often fatal here, with kestrels nesting in the neighbour’s barn often proving dangerous.

Last season great spotted woodpeckers were a serious problem bringing their newly fledged chicks to attack nests often at both ends of the house simultaneously. We lost 4 broods before bird scaring plastic owls were brought into play! This season the woodpecker chicks have fledged without causing trouble so far.

In the early days of this colony, it was normal for second broods to be reared in the same nest as the first brood but as the number of artificial nests has increased this has resulted in a good supply of ‘spare’ nests.

When the weather is good during the rearing of the first brood, adults particularly males will occasionally spend time sitting in a vacant nest which may then be used to make a very prompt start on a second brood. It looks as if there will be two ‘second homes’ here this season.

The use of a second nest site also sometimes follows on from a fledging chick taking refuge in a vacant nest and being fed there by the parents which will sometimes adopt the chick’s refuge for their second brood. All in all this shows the value of having plenty of spare nests.

Local colonies are mostly up to strength although a fairly new small housing estate now has more nest deterrents in place in gable peaks than previously and a declining number of nests.

Written by Martin Ticker

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