Choosing A Bird Box
A bird box makes a delightful addition to any garden and will be more than welcomed by our feathered friends. When deciding what type of bird box to put in your garden there are some things you need to consider.
Choose a bird box that is made from an insulating material such as wood, coir or terracotta or a special waterproof wood and concrete compound like WoodcretePLUS.
A nest box that is made from a hardwood like cedar, oak or beech will last a lot longer than one made from a softwood like pine. The wood should be between 15 and 20 mm thick. Treat the outside of the box with a non-toxic, water-based preservative.
A box made from thin wood, plywood, corrugated cardboard, plastic or solid ceramic is unlikely to be as successful. Boxes made from dense materials such as ceramic can be dangerous as they can get too hot or too cold for the chicks to survive.
There should be drainage holes at the bottom of the box and ventilation holes to ensure a fresh supply of air.
If you live near woodland or in the countryside then choose a bigger nest box to attract birds like woodpeckers and owls. This is especially important if you live near a new plantation as younger trees do not have many holes in them.
If you live in a more urban area then you should choose a smaller bird box for common garden birds like blue tits, coal tits, greenfinches and sparrows.
The internal floor area of the bird box should be at least 130 sq cm - if the box is too small the birds will lay fewer eggs.
A perch is not necessary and may even act as somewhere for squirrels to cling to as they reach inside the box to grab the eggs or chicks.
Don't choose a box that is incorporated into a bird table as the nesting birds will come into conflict with the feeding ones.
You can find out more information about bird boxes at British Bird Lovers.
Choose a bird box that is made from an insulating material such as wood, coir or terracotta or a special waterproof wood and concrete compound like WoodcretePLUS.
A nest box that is made from a hardwood like cedar, oak or beech will last a lot longer than one made from a softwood like pine. The wood should be between 15 and 20 mm thick. Treat the outside of the box with a non-toxic, water-based preservative.
A box made from thin wood, plywood, corrugated cardboard, plastic or solid ceramic is unlikely to be as successful. Boxes made from dense materials such as ceramic can be dangerous as they can get too hot or too cold for the chicks to survive.
There should be drainage holes at the bottom of the box and ventilation holes to ensure a fresh supply of air.
If you live near woodland or in the countryside then choose a bigger nest box to attract birds like woodpeckers and owls. This is especially important if you live near a new plantation as younger trees do not have many holes in them.
If you live in a more urban area then you should choose a smaller bird box for common garden birds like blue tits, coal tits, greenfinches and sparrows.
The internal floor area of the bird box should be at least 130 sq cm - if the box is too small the birds will lay fewer eggs.
A perch is not necessary and may even act as somewhere for squirrels to cling to as they reach inside the box to grab the eggs or chicks.
Don't choose a box that is incorporated into a bird table as the nesting birds will come into conflict with the feeding ones.
You can find out more information about bird boxes at British Bird Lovers.
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