Do i leave a nest in a bird box over winter now that birds have flown.?

Question

Do i leave a nest in a bird box over winter now that birds have flown.?

Answer 1

You should remove the old nest. The birds might use the box for roosting on the coldest days or nights in winter but leaving the nest may attract bees, ants, mice etc. They don't need a nest in there for roosting.  There could also be mites in the old nest as well.  Let them return next year and build a new fresh nest without the parasites.  Also, letting them build a fresh nest each year will cut down on smells that could attract a mammalian predator to the nest.  At work, we run a Tree Swallow  nesting box program and clean the nest boxes out after each spring season.

Answer 2

I always have and the next year birds come back and nest in them.Birds will even use them in the winter.

Answer 3

I just leave the nests alone. Usually, next year, birds will use that same nest.

Answer 4

I leave mine up all year round

The blue T*ts come back evey single year =)

But bird-girl has a point  about mites

although Not always . .  and my bird boxes neevr smell.=)

Answer 5

Leave the nest alone, the birdies that were born there this year will be back next year to take over the nests. Nature takes care of itself.