Where To Site a Bird Box
Spring may be on the way, but that doesn’t mean it’s too late to put up a nest box ready for the breeding season and beyond. Blue tits, for instance, will not begin their earnest search for a nesting site until either February or March, so there’s time still.
What should you do?
There are two main considerations when siting a nest box: first, you must choose an appropriate nest box for the specific species of bird you wish to attract; and secondly you must find the right location in your garden for the box. If you’re attracting Tits, Sparrows or Starlings, for instance, it is essential to locate the box two or four metres up a wall or tree. Robins and Wrens are slightly different, as nest boxes for these species are better lower down, below 2m, well hidden amongst protective vegetation, and have open fronts. Woodpeckers will need a box located between 3m and 5m on the side of a tree.
Predators can be a possible risk factor, as cats, being nimble climbers, could potentially access your nest boxes. Make sure you site your box in a location safe from cats (and squirrels, which can be deterred using a metal hole around the entrance).
Avoid direct sunlight
Unless you’re absolutely certain there will be shade covering the entrance to the nest box, do not install it facing sunlight, as this could be damaging to your garden birds. To be safe, face the nest box in a north easterly direction. This will give you the best chance of avoiding strong winds and intense sunlight.
Also consider tipping the nest box forward slightly to prevent rain water from entering, and possibly flooding, the nest box.
Checklist
- Find the right place
- Find the right box
- Keep out of direct sunlight
- Provide a clear flight path
- Tilt the box to avoid the rain getting in
- Keep out of reach of predators
Sad to say I have a south facing aspect. So not able to sight a nest box.
Really interesting and informative, a new bird for us to look out for. We know more know about how to attract it and perhaps try our luck with more boxes. Thank you, from new garden bird fans.
Thank you. Very useful on nest boxes.
Hello Keith,
We have a nest box facing south and watched the bluetits build a nest, knew when the eggs were there, knew when they hatched. We watched all the work mum and dad did from start till the day the chicks left the nest.
Just like their parents, they are eating the food we hang on our tree. We have a small wildlife pond and it’s been joyous watching all the young birds from around, bathing on the small waterfall.
We have a very dense conifer hedge facing roughly east. We have been lucky enough t o have blackbirds nesting there for a few years now, and a good few sparrows.
My blue tit nesting box has not been used for two years so I think it’s time to relocate!
Thanks for advice.
I have an RSPB sparrow nest box in the garden, last year a pair raised their chicks successfully. It was reat when sparrows came again this year (same ones perhaps?). However, about 2 weeks ago there was a newly hatched chick dead at the bottom of the tree, no sign of any egg shell. I haven’t seen the adult birds since.. Sometimes a rat (always just the one although I know where there is one there will be others) is spotted in our gardens behind this row of houses. Could a rat have got in the box even though the hole is very small it has a RSPB metal plate over the hole? Or, could it be a completely different reason? The same thing happened to next door, he found all his sparrow chicks dead on the ground. Really appreciate any help as want to make sure the same thing doesn’t happen next year. I removed the box today expecting to see dead chicks but only the empty nest. Makes me think a predator did somehow get them.