Hi Celeste
Hogs in the wild would naturally move nests from time to time – probably not least because of the potential build up of parasites. They apparently will even move nests during the course of hibernation time. A hog who has hibernated in a nest, may continue to use it for a short while, but will normally naturally move on.
All things being natural, hogs would not have used that nest again, but built a new one somewhere else. So if we want hogs to continue to use the boxes we provide, it’s up to us to make sure that they are properly cleaned out – preferably between occupiers. I will include the link again for others who may also read this. https://www.hedgehogstreet.org/cleaning-out-boxes/
But it’s also up to us to make sure that the hog has completely vacated (by which I do not mean only out for the night) before any cleaning. That way that or another hog would discover a ‘new’ potential nesting place was available.
Sometimes there is a hog who will stay put. Hogs natural behaviour can be impacted by their previous life experiences. So it may be that if hogs have been ‘in care’ they might be less inclined to move on – not sure whether anyone has actually researched into that so it is speculation, but possible. But it seems, from what we hear on the forum, that it is a small minority of hogs which stay put for too long. But there is the problem of lack of potential nesting places which might also play a role.
If a hog stays so long that the house becomes really messy and the hog gets, say, covered in ticks, etc. then it might be a good idea to try to put another hog house next door and hope it moves in there and clean out the original.
I have had starlings going into feeding boxes before now, but nothing as big as magpies! I imagine it got more than it bargained for – especially if there were twists and turns to keep cats out – no wonder it was making a racket!
