Get nest-box ready for the next generation of birds

Help garden birds to thrive by putting up nest boxes but do your research first. It is not a 'one-size fits all' purchase.

by Annette J Beveridge

There has never been a better time to help out nature and each country on our fragile planet needs kind-hearted nature lovers to protect and nurture wildlife.

Here in the UK, we are no exception.

The sad reality is…..we are so nature-depleted, and our wildlife is under increasing pressure just to survive.

With the winter season closing in, it may seem odd to think about spring and the nesting season which is months away but now is the time to prepare.

Many birds start to hunt for suitable sites from February and you need time to locate and put up the right box.

Perhaps you feel nature itself provides the best nesting sites? Sadly, due to the scrawl of urbanisation, there are fewer nesting sites than is needed. We have fewer older trees with those perfect sized holes and many gardens are devoid of shrubs or plants suitable for birds to make use of.

By providing the right nest boxes you will be helping these birds to thrive. It will also provide you with the wonderful opportunity to share the experience and to watch the frantic activity of birds flying to and from the nest box and to listen to and see those young birds.

There are so many nest boxes available in shops but here’s the thing..many are just not suitable. That’s why it is good to start your research now.

It’s all about the research

Consider the birds you wish to help. Which birds already come to your garden? There is little point trying to encourage a bird that is not in the area. If you are not yet feeding birds, do so, this will encourage more birds and you will have a better idea of the type of nest box to get.

In the cold weather, birds struggle to find sufficient food and if you make your garden nature-friendly, believe me, the birds will come.

Some nest boxes have built-in perches, but it is best to avoid these if you wish to reduce the risk of nest box raiders such as squirrels.

If you have Great Spotted Woodpeckers coming to the garden, it is possible to reinforce entrance holes with a metal plate to prevent the woodpeckers from breaking into the nest box as this does happen.

Nest box materials should be made from insulating and hard wearing material. Avoid boxes made from plastic, solid ceramics or thin wood. These can be dangerous. Wood should be no less than 15 mm thick.

Match the box to the bird

Robins are a garden bird favourite but they like to nest in overhanging vegetation. The box front needs to be 100 mm high. Research indicates that the height the box is placed is not as important as the front measurement.

Wrens will come into gardens but you need plenty of cover such as thorny bushes. Aim for an open-fronted box 140mm high. The box can be placed anywhere up to five metres from the ground.

Blue tits will easily opt for a nest box but there must be a clear route into the box so consider this when placing it. The hole must be 25 mm. The box should be a minimum of one metre above the ground but higher is better.

For great tits, opt for a box with a 28 mm hole. Like blue tits, they need a clear flight path to the entrance. Place the box more than one metre above the ground.

Coal tits will opt for a nest box so if trying to attract them, place the box one metre or less from the ground. The box should have a 25 mm hole.

House sparrows will use nestboxes but they like to be in colonies. There are purpose made nesting terraces available or you could make your own. The hole needs to be 32 mm. Place the box two metres or more from the ground.

Tips

It is important that there is some shelter from weather extremes so angle nest boxes down just a little to stop rain from coming in.

Any nest box should be sheltered from strong sunlight - you do not want chicks to bake and make sure boxes are well-fixed and sheltered from extreme wind.

Putting up a nest box may not sound like much, but you will be really helping nature.