There are endless birdwatching secrets and tips to encourage birds into your garden but here we look at the important points to consider if you are thinking of providing nest boxes for your garden birds.
There are two basic types of nest box. The first is an enclosed space with a small entrance hole and the second type is a tray or ledge with a roof. Whichever you decide on, it is important that the box does not warp which will expose the nestlings to wind and rain. To make sure that doesn't happen, the box should ideally be made from three-quarter inch hardwood which is a better option than softwood as it is more resistant to the weather. Three-quarter inch hardwood should also be thick enough to insulate the interior temperature from extremes of heat and cold.
It is a sad reality that rain kills many nestlings in natural nesting sites, so it's important the nest box excludes rain as far as possible when we invite birds to use them. Whether you buy a ready to use box or build your own, always check that the roof fits flush to the walls. To make sure it is as watertight as possible, seal the wall joints with a sealing compound before you nail or screw the box into place. Use a wood preservative on the outside of the box if you wish but never on the inside. The entrance hole in the enclosed boxes must be at least five inches from the base to prevent cats from fishing for young bird and to stop other predators seeing them as they stretch up for food.
Another good tip is to make sure there is no peg that acts as a perch under the entrance hole. These pegs are not necessary and in reality all they do is give an extra foothold for predators to use. If you want to discourage certain types of birds such as starlings, a one and one-eighth inches (3cm) diameter entrance hole is required. Equally important are the inside floor measurements which should give the young birds room to stretch their wings and a small drainage hole in the floor.
Many nesting boxes are sold at the start of the New Year but one last tip is they should ideally be fixed into place in October or November. This lets them weather into their surroundings and gives time for the gan birds to get used to the boxes and accept them as part of their environment. In this way you will dramatically increase the chances of occupancy.
There are two basic types of nest box. The first is an enclosed space with a small entrance hole and the second type is a tray or ledge with a roof. Whichever you decide on, it is important that the box does not warp which will expose the nestlings to wind and rain. To make sure that doesn't happen, the box should ideally be made from three-quarter inch hardwood which is a better option than softwood as it is more resistant to the weather. Three-quarter inch hardwood should also be thick enough to insulate the interior temperature from extremes of heat and cold.
It is a sad reality that rain kills many nestlings in natural nesting sites, so it's important the nest box excludes rain as far as possible when we invite birds to use them. Whether you buy a ready to use box or build your own, always check that the roof fits flush to the walls. To make sure it is as watertight as possible, seal the wall joints with a sealing compound before you nail or screw the box into place. Use a wood preservative on the outside of the box if you wish but never on the inside. The entrance hole in the enclosed boxes must be at least five inches from the base to prevent cats from fishing for young bird and to stop other predators seeing them as they stretch up for food.
Another good tip is to make sure there is no peg that acts as a perch under the entrance hole. These pegs are not necessary and in reality all they do is give an extra foothold for predators to use. If you want to discourage certain types of birds such as starlings, a one and one-eighth inches (3cm) diameter entrance hole is required. Equally important are the inside floor measurements which should give the young birds room to stretch their wings and a small drainage hole in the floor.
Many nesting boxes are sold at the start of the New Year but one last tip is they should ideally be fixed into place in October or November. This lets them weather into their surroundings and gives time for the gan birds to get used to the boxes and accept them as part of their environment. In this way you will dramatically increase the chances of occupancy.
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