I have both great and blue tits inspecting nest boxes in the garden. This is not that unusual for the time of year, but may be yet another indication that birds are gearing up for early nesting. As far as I am aware there are several factors that determine nesting times for many of our birds. There are some specific ones for specialised species such as ravens who breed when there is the greatest chance of carrion, that is with the birth of lambs,etc.
The length of daylight hours is important. This is because birds need as many hours as they can get to feed their young. The availability of their food is another factor, and this mild winter has meant that more food has continued to be available than is usually the case.
As far as the tits are concerned, their inspection of the nest boxes may be the beginning of their establishing a territory; it will be when they begin taking nesting material into the boxes that their real intent will become apparent.
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