Nest Boxes

[Peanut]

It's not too late to put up nest boxes for our feathered friends.
I am very lucky to have lots of nesting birds in my garden, including my beloved blue tits. Yesterday I noticed that one was checking out the nest box that they usually nest in and it reminded me that I have had a second nest box sitting in my kitchen for ages, possibly years. So I got myself together, finally put it up, and within an hour the blue tit was checking this one out too, they are both blue tit or coal tit boxes but this second one is a bit smaller than the box they usually choose so it will be interesting to see which they decide to call home this spring.
I hope it is the smaller one as it is right by my back window so I will be able to see all their comings and goings.
I can't wait!

[Nicos]

Good reminder Peanut!…thanks for the heads up.
I always get confused as to hole size, do they need a perch, which way should they face…should they be on their own or near others the same

Are there any really good guides for this sort of info?

[Peanut]

Definitely no perches as that can help predators get in and raid the nests. Its a good idea to put a hole protector around the hole to stop other birds, such as a woodpecker enlarging the hole to get to the eggs or chicks.
They should be positioned out of direct sun and prevailing winds. North and east facing are best. Some birds like a direct flight path into the box, such as tits, others like Robins, wrens, blackbirds etc prefer their nest to be tucked away in hedges or even sheds etc, but will still happily use a nest box if its in a good place.

The BTO website is pretty helpful, here's some links...

Everything you need to know about nest boxes Nest boxes for birds | BTO

How to make a nest box Make a nest box | BTO

[Nicos]

Great links- thanks Peanut!

[Peanut]

I am here to help

[smallblueplanet]

It's also not too late to clean out old boxes either, get those kettles full of boiling water and rinse out the insides of the boxes to kill off any 'mites'/bugs. (Well I'm not 100% sure it's necessary, as it doesn't happen in the wild, but I'm sure I read it somewhere, so it must be true! )

I just googled for nest box plates to reduce entry hole size - saw some acrylic ones, don't think that's a good idea as they'll be 'attacked' by both predators and the nesting birds (to reshape).

https://www.nestbox.co.uk/products/hole-plates

[Vince G]

I've got 5 boxes this year. 2 tit boxes positioned about 3 metres up trees. 2 robin/wren boxes with open fronts on the fences behind quite dense bushes.

I've also made a sparrow terrace with 3 compartments. We have a bush at the front of the house where sparrows seem to like to congregate, we've put a seed feeder in the bush which is emptied in about 3 days flat. So I've put the sparrow box as close to the eaves on that side of the house (east facing) in the hope they'lll see it and use it.

[Containergardener]

I've got two I've cleaned out, will still put them back up.

[mothhawk]

I have a blue tit sleeping in the bird box, she's used it all winter, so it's likely she will build in it. And I noticed a robin busily building all day yesterday in the winter clematis.

[Containergardener]

So I eventually got my boxes back up and moved the location of one from the tree the woodpecker frequents to amongst the rose instead. This morning there's been a viewing by a pair of bluetits
Fingers crossed 🤞

[Peanut]

I hope the blue tits make your box home Containergardener
My blue tits have abandoned me this year, after showing so much interest in both their old box and the new one. I saw them collecting wool from the feeder and then prompty flying out of my garden with it to pastures new!

[Containergardener]

Well the renovations of the doorway seems to have progressed to some moss collecting from the tree nearby .

[Containergardener]

As I and the dog was outside todayand the box is quite close to our deck/back door. I glanced over and noticed Mr/or/Mrs Bluetit was peeking from the box at the dog lay asleep 🤣

[Peanut]

Oh that is wonderful news Containergardener do keep us updated!

[JoaoLeaftide]

That's brilliant, love the image of the bluetit peeking out at the dog. I put up a box last spring and had nothing all year, was convinced I'd picked a rubbish spot. Then this February a pair of great tits moved in like they'd been waiting for it all along. Patience is everything with these things apparently.