"Sacha" wrote

Yes of course it will. Think of it as your home and how you'd feel if
someone came at it with a chainsaw. In any case, it's kinder to the tree
to
wait until the autumn/winter to do that job.


Actually someone did try to shake us out of our house recently; but we
decided to stay - think it was termed an earthquake at the time .

2 How long will it take for the eggs to hatch and the babies to flee the
nest if I decide to wait?

Not at all sure but two to three weeks at a guess. I'd look on the RSPB
site if I were you.


OK I'll give RSPB a look

3 Is it likely I will have scared it off anyway having put a ladder up
directly below the box and peered in?

As long as you left the area and took the ladder away fairly swiftly, it
should be fine.

--

Rapid careful retreat once I knew bird was in residence.

Phil