National Nest Box Week, run by the British Trust for Ornithology, kicks off on Sunday 14 February and runs until Sunday 21 February. It is a great opportunity to make a tender gesture and show your appreciation for some muchloved garden companions, by giving them a place to set up home.
“Birds like blue tits, robins, and a whole range of other species find ready-made nesting places very beneficial when it comes to egg-laying season, and there is the added bonus that if a couple moves in you can witness their daily lives, from nesting through to the chicks fledging,” says Andy Crory, the Ulster Wildlife Trust’s Nature Reserves Officer. “It might not be Gone With the Wind but nature is always full of surprises. So once your nest box is built and erected you can just sit back and watch the drama unfold”
If you’d like to provide a cosy room for two love-birds this Valentine’s Day, just follow these simple suggestions from the Ulster Wildlife Trust.
Waste not, want not
An old kettle or flowerpot pushed sideways into a hedge can make a perfect nesting site for robins and is kind on your pocket too. However, if you do use unconventional items make sure they’re safe and can’t fill with water.
Make your own
There’s nothing more satisfying than watching a young family being raised in a nest box you have made yourself. For best results use thick wood to increase insulation, include a hinged lid for ease of cleaning and drill small holes in the base for drainage.
Size Matters
The species of bird that a nest box attracts will depend on its size. For example, blue tits use small, traditional boxes with a small entrance hole whereas starlings need a bigger model with a larger entrance hole.Robins and wrens, on the other hand will choose an open-fronted box hidden in vegetation.
Location, Location!
Site your nest box in a sheltered position on a tree or wall at about head height, avoiding the midday sun and prevailing winds. Also avoid sites that expose the box to disturbance by humans, predators and other birds.
Create the right habitat
Providing the right habitat surrounding your nest box is also important. Berry-bearing shrubs will provide shelter and food, bird baths or ponds are essential for water, whilst thrushes love to forage in compost heaps.
Keep it clean
In the late autumn, when the fledglings have left the nest, be sure to remove any old nesting materials and clean the box thoroughly with soap and boiling water to kill any parasites.
Making nest boxes is an easy and fun activity.To get advice on building your own nest box and how to look after it click here.
