All CategoriesWild BirdsUK Wild Bird Nesting: A Guide to Supporting Our Feathered Friends
As we move into the nesting season, providing suitable nesting spaces for wild birds in our gardens becomes essential. Birds often struggle to find natural sites for nesting, especially in urban or suburban environments. By offering well-positioned, safe, and comfortable nestboxes, you can support these wonderful creatures and help them thrive. Whether you’re aiming to attract robins, sparrows, or starlings, creating the right environment for nesting will make your garden a safe haven for birds.
Here’s everything you need to know about setting up and maintaining bird nestboxes, as well as the benefits they provide for our local wildlife.
Why Nestboxes Are Important
Birds need safe, secure places to raise their young, and nestboxes offer an excellent alternative to the natural tree cavities or holes that birds would otherwise use. Nestboxes not only give birds a place to lay their eggs and rear their chicks, but they also provide shelter from predators and harsh weather conditions. The species you attract will depend on the location of the nestbox, the type of box you choose, and the size of the entrance hole.
Choosing the Right Nestbox for Your Birds
Different bird species have different nesting preferences, and providing the right type of nestbox can help attract the specific birds you want to welcome into your garden.
Nestboxes for Small Birds
Smaller birds like tits, sparrows, and starlings love nestboxes as substitutes for natural tree holes. The type of box and its entrance hole size are key in attracting these species.
- Tits: Blue tits and great tits prefer boxes with a 25mm entrance hole.
- House Sparrows and Starlings: These species are known for their social nesting habits, so a box with a 32mm entrance hole is ideal. Starlings, in particular, may prefer boxes mounted under the eaves of houses.
By installing several nestboxes with different hole sizes and in varying locations, you’ll increase your chances of attracting multiple species.
Placing a Bird Box
Positioning your nestbox correctly is vital for its success. Here are some tips for placing it in the best location:
- Height: Boxes for tits, sparrows, or starlings should be fixed 2-4 meters high on a tree or wall.
- Orientation: Face the box between north and east to avoid direct sunlight and the wettest winds.
- Clear Flight Path: Ensure that there are no obstacles directly in front of the entrance to allow birds to fly in easily.
- Tilt: Tilt the box forward slightly so that rainwater runs off the roof.
For species like house sparrows, starlings, and even house martins, placing the boxes high up under eaves can encourage them to use them as communal nesting sites. Make sure to space the boxes apart to avoid territorial conflicts, as these species can sometimes nest together if space permits.
Installing Your Nestbox
When installing your nestbox, be mindful of the following:
- Fixing the Box: Avoid nailing nestboxes directly to trees, as this can damage them. Instead, use a nylon bolt or wire to attach it securely to a tree trunk or branch. Be sure to check the box every two to three years to ensure it remains firmly in place.
- Types of Boxes: For species like robins and wrens, open-fronted boxes placed low to the ground and tucked into vegetation work best. Woodpecker boxes should be positioned 3-5 meters high on tree trunks with a clear flight path.
Cleaning & Maintaining Your Nestbox
Proper maintenance is key to keeping your nestboxes safe and usable for birds year after year.
- Remove Old Nests: After birds have finished nesting, remove any old nests to reduce the risk of parasites such as fleas, which can harm young birds the following year.
- Clean the Box: Use boiling water to kill any remaining parasites, but avoid chemical treatments, as they can be harmful to the birds.
- Replace Bedding: Once the box is dry, you can place a handful of clean hay or wood shavings inside to encourage use by small mammals or provide shelter for birds during colder months.
Watching Bird Behaviour at Nestboxes
One of the most rewarding parts of setting up nestboxes is watching birds use them. You’ll be able to observe fascinating behaviours up close, such as:
- Display Behaviour: Male tits often peck at the entrance hole as a form of display, trying to impress potential mates. Similarly, female tits may chip away at the surrounding wood to test the suitability of the box.
- Nuthatch Modifications: Nuthatches are known to enlarge entrance holes and cover the edges with mud to make the box more secure.
- Pied Flycatchers: These fast nest builders may take over boxes already occupied by other birds, laying their eggs over existing ones.
You may also notice birds using the box as a roosting site, especially during cold weather. In fact, the record number of birds found roosting in one box is 61 wrens!
Dealing with Conflicts and Predators
While bird boxes provide protection for birds, they also attract predators. Squirrels, woodpeckers, cats, and even crows can sometimes invade nestboxes, especially if they’re unprotected.
- Protect the Entrance Hole: To prevent woodpeckers and squirrels from enlarging the hole, consider adding a metal plate around the entrance.
- Spiky Vegetation: Placing spiky plants such as rose clippings around the box can deter cats and other mammals from getting too close.
- Don’t Add a Perch: A perch on the front of the box can make it easier for predators to access the entrance. Most birds don’t need a perch to access the box.
The Importance of Roof Spaces
In addition to providing nestboxes, you can also support birds by ensuring that your roof or eaves offer suitable nesting spaces. House martins, swifts, and other species rely on buildings for nest sites. Older buildings offer the best opportunities for birds to nest, so if you’re renovating or maintaining your property, be mindful of the potential for birds to nest in these areas.
Setting up and maintaining bird nestboxes is an excellent way to support UK wildlife and provide birds with a safe, secure place to raise their young. By positioning boxes correctly, ensuring they are well-maintained, and watching the fascinating behaviours of birds, you’ll be contributing to the conservation of many species that are in need of help.
Creating a bird-friendly garden goes beyond feeding—nesting sites are just as crucial for keeping birds safe and ensuring that future generations can thrive. Whether you’re looking to attract tits, sparrows, or starlings, providing the right nesting conditions will make your garden a haven for these beautiful creatures.
Author – Jordan
