 It’s National Nest Box Week from 14th - 21st February and it’s the ideal time to put them up. No one likes to live in over crowded conditions, including your garden birds. They can get quite fussy about where they choose to nest, and don’t want noisy bird neighbours disturbing their own young broods.
So before rushing to the workshop to build a ‘des res’ for your robin or blue tits, or to check out the catalogues for a custom built design, have a look around the garden and think about where is the best place to site it. Location, after all, is key. Even for the birds.
Location, location, location
“Gardens can provide a real refuge for our common nesting birds, but to avoid territorial disputes place nest boxes at least 20 metres apart,” said Amanda Cooke, Senior People and Wildlife Officer at DWT’s Urban Wildlife Centre near Corfe Mullen.
Generally, the best position for any bird box is out of direct sunlight, away from the prevailing south-westerly wind and at least 2 metres off the ground. If cats patrol your garden, try to site the nest box on a wall rather than a tree trunk.
Building the best
The best homes are always built from the best materials. If making your own nest box then ensure you use only unstained, untreated, unplaned roughcut timber, as treated or painted wood are poisonous to birds.
“Keep the design simple,” advises Amanda, “because birds don’t like fussy, ornate ones. Even a metal rim, normally put on to deter squirrels, can put them off, and don’t put a perch on the nest box as this assists predators, not birds.”
 Robins need an open front design, while the tit families prefer an entrance hole 25mm diameter for blue tits, 28mm for great tits. Sparrows require at least a 32mm opening and if you live near a wood you may find that nuthatches and woodpeckers will indulge in a little DIY to create their perfect summer residence.
Certain features are essential: a small hole in the bottom to allow drainage, and a lid that you can open when it needs cleaning out, but remember to fit a catch to prevent pilfering predators.
Nesting material
The next step is interior design - suitable nesting material to line the box is essential. Moss from the lawn, dead twigs, dry grass, loose hairs from human or dog brushes and wool can be used. Just place them on a table or hang them up around the garden for the birds to find. A patch of earth, well soaked, will provide a fresh mud nest lining.
Now all you have to do is put it up and sit back. If it is not used this season, think about trying a different location and don’t forget to clean it out next winter if it has been used.
What now?
Why not find out what wildlife you can see in February
Written by Anna Davies, Volunteer
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