Nesting boxes

Has anyone got any tips about wild bird nesting boxes, what kind to use and where is the best place to put them?

 

In making a bird nest you have to bear in mind that small birds prefer a smaller opening so that they can be protected from bigger birds.
Some bigger birds prefer an open layout.
You also have to consider the habits of the birds that you want to attract to the nest.
The thickness of the wood has to be around two cm (nearly 1 inch) and the wood doesn't have to be treated, as the bird would easily smell it and don't like it at all.
A stripe of plastic or linoleum though is preferable to metal hinges.
In order to facilitate the access to the nest a little piece of wood can be placed near the opening.
Autumn-winter is the ideal time to place the nest. Not too early in autumn because small animals or insect could use it as winter protection.
Position the nest in a quiet area of the garden ,covered by the vegetation but not too much as it has to be accessible with a direct flight (or should I say straight flight...)from nearby vegetation and forget about it. In the spring the movement of birds back and forth will attract your attention.
The nest should ideally be positioned with the opening towards west and slightly bent downwards to protect it from the rain and sun.
Ideal height is just over 3 metres from the ground (depending from the species).
The nest will have to be removed in the summer, cleaned and be reinstalled in the following autumn.

 

Very good info, we are planning to set up nesting boxes this year and this will be very useful. I'll let you know if anyone moves in.

 

Thanks for the info.
I have got a 'Robin Box' it looks like the second one on your info. It's been put up today.
But I am going to get one of the other kind as well.

 

I spent 1st January making three boxes. One for Blue Tits, one for Great Tits and an open fronted one for Robins etc. It took about 3 hours in all.
I put them up today was astounded because within 5 minutes of them going up we saw a Great Tit investigating the one on our old pear tree and a Blue Tit having a good peer inside the one on the willow.
If you fancy making your own it isn't difficult as standard size 18 or 19mm thick planks by 144 or 150mm wide are stocked in most DIY/Builders outlets.

Two links for plans (there are many more on the www)-
http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/animals/birds/thingstodo/nestbox.shtml

http://www.rspb.org.uk/advice/helpingbirds/nestboxes/nestboxes/making.asp

[ 02. January 2007, 10:59 PM: Message edited by: Dave W ]

 

and if you have got a tall enough tree, here is an idea for a huuuge "nest"....



source: alice.it