Putting up a nestbox
Nestboxes should be fixed to a tree or wall facing between north and east. This prevents birds overheating due to long periods of direct sunlight and also prevents wet south-westerly winds entering the box.
The height of the box is dependent on the species. Blue tit and Great tit boxes should be sited between 2m and 5m in height. House sparrows between 3m to the eves of the building. Robins and wrens should be no more than 2m and within vegetation.
If you are siting your nestbox within the school grounds or anywhere that children could access the box it should be sited at least 3m in height.
A useful way to plan where to site your nestbox is to photograph the building with a 1 metre rule standing against the wall. Then in your favourite graphics program zoom in and carefully copy the image of the rule and paste copies of it up the image of the wall to measure it. This allows you to easily measure the wall before you get the ladders out.
The hole size of your nestbox is important and will determine which species is likely to use your box.
25mm hole for blue tits, coal tits and marsh tits
28mm hole for tree sparrows and great tits
32mm hole for nuthatch & pied flycatcher
38mm hole for redstarts
Open-fronted for robins
The best time to put up a nest box is at the end of January or the beginning of Februrary. Traditionally, birds start looking for nest sites around Valentines day - it’s a nice thought but it is a good rough guide. It’s never a bad time to put one up though because birds will often use a box to roost in over winter and may return to use the same box in the spring. Some birds may use a box put up later for a second brood.
For additional interest, consider installing a nestcam. These are basically nestboxes with built in webcams. They can be connected to a TV or computer (via a suitable video card or video to USB converter) an will allow you to watch the nest on screen without disturbing the birds. They are available in cheaper black and white versions or colour and either with or without the option of infrared for night vision. Versions without the infrared option tend to have better colour images an not everyone needs to view the nest at night.
Nest Boxes
Buy an RSPB nest box and you know you’re buying quality. Made from durable FSC approved timber and treated with non-toxic preservatives, they are a great way to help garden birds find a safe nesting or roosting site.
Apex nest box, pent roof easy clean nest box, robin nest box, wren nest box, swallow nest box, house martin nest box, roosting pocket, wool dispenser, nest box hole plates.
