Nestboxes are excellent substitutes for the holes found in old trees. In young woodlands and plantations, and in many parks and gardens there may be plenty of food for small birds but nowhere for hole-nesting birds to nest.
Over 60 species are known to have used nestboxes. Regular residents include blue, great and coal tits, nuthatches, house and tree sparrows, starlings, spotted and pied flycatchers, robins, house martins, kestrels and tawny owls. Much depends on the type of the box, where it is located, and on its surroundings.
In recent years, the fortunes of many birds have varied. For example, blue and great tits have prospered, while house sparrows and starlings have declined. If you want to provide a nest box, try, if possible, to target those birds that genuinely need help.
Now is the time to be putting one or even two around your garden, high up on a tree or garage or even on the house, just bear in mind predators, especially cats.
Ready made boxes are available; at a fairly small cost, but what could be more satisfying than making your own and get the kids and Grandkids involved. Paint the outside with a wildlife friendly water based preservative like Sadolin.
I made these with some spare plywood and a pencil as a perch!
There is plenty of advice on the RSPB website as to hole size to attract and/or exclude unwanted guests. There are even plans how to go about it. Someone with even the most basic carpentry skills can give it a go.
Birds are not bothered what it looks like as long as it's dry and out of harms way they will use it.
Here are some birds this Spring at Northward Hill RSPB reserve making good use of the nest boxes.
Thank you to Doug Wright and Rob Budgen for the images.
The North Kent Marshes are a very special area and worth preserving at all cost.
Thanks for that no need to add any more you have made the point admirably! Dr Hoo.