Birding Top 500 Counter
 Dean Birders
Thinking of putting up a nest box this spring?  Here's a few thoughts ...
 
Holes
 25mm - Blue Tit & Coal Tit.
28mm & 30mm - Blue Tit, Coal Tit & Great Tit.
32mm - Blue Tit, Coal Tit, Great Tit, House Sparrow & Nuthatch.
Open Front?
Good for Robins, Wrens & Spotted Flycatcher
Position
Place about 5 - 10 feet off the ground, brass nail or screw to fix to tree trunk facing between NE & SE (out of the worst weather), under cover of branches in a tree or Ivy leaves. Just to shelter from midday sun, winds from the West and heavy rain.
  
If you position a box on an open wall or post it makes it easier for predators & weather to get at the birds nesting in them.
 
Don't open the box during the nesting season.  It may seem abandoned, but you have missed the parents going ain and out and could disturb them causing the chicks or eggs to be abandoned.
 
Clean the box in November after every season and do repairs if necessary. Remove old nest material, pour boiling hot water over insides to kill any bugs that may be present and be careful that you do not scald yourself.
 
Bird Box Time.
 
January
 
 This is the time of year birds are beginning to pair up and look for nesting sites….
 
  
Nest Box Reminder.
 
  The type and hole size determine which bird will nest in what Nest Box.
The 25mm hole size is most suitable for Blue, Marsh and Coal Tits.
The 32mm hole size is popular with House and Tree Sparrows, Great Tits, Nuthatches and Pied Flycatchers.
The Standard Front is for Robins, Wrens, Pied Wagtails and Blackbirds.
The Low-Open Front is ideal for Spotted Flycatchers.

Siting Nest Boxes.

(Hole nest boxes)

The nest box is most likely to be occupied when sited:
    • In a sheltered, shaded spot for instance under the eaves of a house.
    • In any undisturbed location at leased six feet or two meters high.  

 

(Open nest boxes)

The same as hole boxes but also site in good cover behind vegetation to protect from predators.

 Cleaning.

Cleaning should only be carried out between 1st August and 31st January and that any eggs presentshould be destroyed immediately. To allow for late broods and avoid disturbance at the nest, it is safest to defer this task until October. All nest material should be completely removed and disposed of safely. No further cleaning should be necessary unless there is a major infestation of parasites, in which case use hot water rather than proprietary pesticides.

Caution:

 

It’s worth remembering when you go to clean out a nest box that there might be a wasp, bee, mouse or other animal in it, so open the box cautiously. Mice and other mammals will do you no harm. If you suspect wasps or bees, slowly move away. Avoid disturbing the box until later in the year when the cold weather will have killed off any remaining insects.

Safety.

 When handling products that have been in contact with wildlife I recommend you:

  • Wear rubber gloves.
  • Wash your hands thoroughly afterwards.
  • Avoid inhaling any dust or feather scale.