Among other events, February is the month of National Nest Box Week. This serves as a reminder that we are coming to the time of the year when birds are looking to nest.
If you fancy adding a box to your garden, here are some tips for doing it right.
Give it a forward tilt
When you put your nest box up, make sure that it tilts forward – although just slightly. The reason for this is to prevent rain from getting in through its entrance. Birds need a clean and dry space for building their nests.
Don’t forget the direction
The direction you place your nest box in will determine whether you get to see birds use it when you sit on your rattan garden furniture. The box should face roughly between east and north. This will ensure that it is protected from the effects of the wind, rain and sunlight.
Get the height right
In terms of how high up the box should be, you need to think about potential predators. This means the likes of cats or squirrels. The nest box needs to be high enough to deter them and close to shelter like trees or bushes.
Place away from feeders
You might think that nest boxes should be placed close to feeders, but this isn’t necessarily the case. If you do that, it can lead to fights that will alert nearby predators. You should also keep similar types of nest boxes well away from each other.
Follow these tips for nest box success!
