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Want to buy nesting boxes in October - i get robins, blackbirds, tits, starlings, nuthatches etc together with squirrels and the very occasional fox. Are they safe from harm (these boxes)? Will birds use them? How high up do they have to be? What do I do to them to make them attractive to birds?
Barry
Hi Barry,
There's loads of advice for nest boxes on the RSPB site and many others, as well as patterns for making them which is a much cheaper option. Different birds need different types of boxes at different heights etc. so you'd be better to get the info from a website rather than here as it would be a huge long post!!
You could also try picking up some of the RSPB leaflets at your nearest reserve or there are a number of excellent books on attracting birds into your garden also in RSPB shops or look at the shop online.
Some RSPB reserves and groups do nest box making days around this time of year as do local wildlife trusts etc.
Good luck
Jenni
God gave us two ears and one mouth for a very good reason!
hi Barry
this is a good time to put them up as birds will use and check them out during the winter
don't put them too close to each other as birds like their own territory.
Have the entrances facing north to north east. Use common sense for height and cover. Blue tits are quite happy on a wall where cats can't reach
good luck
Ray
a good laugh is better than a tonic
Interesting advice and a good link...thanks Alan & Ray, certainly something I shall be looking at doing ASAP!
I have a large West-facing (gable) wall to my house. I wanted to make and put some nest boxes on it this autumn/winter. The neighbour's house (facing wall) is about 17 feet (5+ metres) away. The nest boxes could never be predated by cats, only other birds. However, the advice I have read (on this website) state that nest boxes need to to be facing north or north-east. So, can I make and place any boxes on a Westerly-facing wall, with any hope of results/success? If so, which species are likely to use them, as I can make them to order. Would a mix of species be happy to live near each other? What height above (my garage roof) would they need to be (maximum height is 25 feet)? We have a pair of nesting Robins in the neighbour's garden, but they feed, wash (and fight!) in our garden. The male chases away every other bird (Dunnocks, sparrows and sometimes the blue tits,) but not Blackbirds! Thanks in advance, for any advice offered.
Alan
Nest boxes require shade to prevent them over heating. A west facing wall would potentially be in full sun from midday until sunset.
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Galatas, VMTs for your advice. I am disappointed (that I can't put boxes there), but understand the reasoning. Have a nice weekend.
A fair few questions there Barry, our website is going to have the answers to most of them but you might also want to get a copy of the BTO Nestbox Guide
Warden Intern at Otmoor.
I made and erected my first nest box in January this year. I put it on the west facing wall of my bathroom extension thinking the house itself would give shade. Unfortunately I didn't make enough allowance for how high in the sky the sun rises by mid May. The shadow of the house doesn't extend far enough to shade the box. The birds , being smarter than me , realised this and didn't use it. It will be repositioned in time for next year's breeding season.
I decided to take the nest box down while it was on my mind. This is what I found just a few minutes ago.
These "paper" nests are amazing, Galatas - that looks like a whopper! We have a few "light bulbs" hanging from the rafters in the barn. Am I correct in thinking it is a species of solitary wasp which builds them?
"The road of excess leads to the palace of wisdom" - Wlliam Blake