Living with Birds Where should I put a nest box? Tweetapedia

Nest boxes, also known as bird boxes, are a great way of attracting birds to your garden. More importantly, perhaps, providing a home for birds is a great way of supporting them through important and difficult times such as breeding season and harsh weather. This is becoming ever more important as their natural habitats are being destroyed by urbanisation and deforestation.

Installing a nest box in your garden helps local wildlife and allows you to watch birds closely, as well as being a great way to support nature.

Types of nest box

Nest boxes predominantly come in two types: ones with entrance holes and ones with open fronts.

Nest boxes with entrance holes are typically designed for cavity-nesting birds such as bluebirds, tits, and woodpeckers. The size of the entrance hole in a bird box depends on the type of bird it is meant for. Smaller birds need smaller holes, while larger birds need larger holes. These boxes provide a secure and enclosed space for birds to build their nests and raise their young, protecting them from predators and the elements.

Open-fronted nest boxes are better for birds like wrens, robins, and blackbirds which like to nest in more open and exposed areas. These boxes have a wide opening at the front, allowing easy access for birds to come and go. The lack of a closed entrance provides a more natural nesting environment for these species, as they often nest in more open areas such as shrubs or trees.

Bird boxes are important for birds, offering safe places to nest. They help increase bird populations and support biodiversity in the environment. It is important to choose the right type of nest box for the specific species of bird you are trying to attract, as different birds have different nesting preferences. Proper placement and maintenance of nest boxes can also help ensure their success in attracting and supporting bird populations.

Nest box placement

The successful placement of a nest box depends on multiple factors. These include birds' species, the size of the box, and location.

One of the most important factors to consider is whether the box is safe from predators such as cats and squirrels. If birds perceive that a box is unsafe, they are unlikely to use it. Ensure the entrance hole is the right size for birds to enter but small enough to keep predators out. This will depend on the species, so make sure that you research into which birds are local to you, as well as which ones are likely to use nest boxes.

Don't put nest boxes too near to bird feeders, as a high number of visitors may disturb the nest and lead to it being abandoned.

Keep boxes out of direct sunlight and harsh winds: it is best for them to face north or east. This protects both the box itself and its inhabitants. Young birds can be particularly affected by extreme weather, so this is particularly important when considering where to install a nest box.

Finally, the height of the nest box should also vary depending on the species that you are trying to attract. Placing a box too low puts birds at risk of being attacked by predators such as cats, whilst putting them up too high puts young birds at risk of falling out of the box. Generally, a height between 2-5 meters is recommended.

How to attract birds to a nest box

Often, simply having an available place to nest will attract birds to your garden. However, it will sometimes take longer and so patience is key.

You could try putting out food for birds in your garden; if more birds are visiting, they are more likely to discover the nesting site. Furthermore, once birds have found a reliable food source, they are unlikely to abandon it. A nesting site nearby would be an added bonus.

Alternatively, you could provide a small amount of nesting materials nearby in your garden or in the box itself. Again, this makes your garden more attractive for birds as some of the hard work has already been done for them.

Once a year after the breeding season is finished, clean out your box to prevent the spread of any diseases that could harm future inhabitants.

Conclusion

Installing a nest box is an easy way of helping out your local bird population. Remember to research the type of box that is suitable for the birds that you want to attract, as different birds have different preferences.

Don't worry if the box is not used straight away, as it may take some time for birds to find the feeder and get used to your garden. In the meantime, support the birds in other ways such as putting out food or bird baths.