Positioning a nest box in your garden provides birds with a safe, sheltered place to breed and raise their young.
Choosing a nest box
When choosing a nest box, it’s a good idea to go for the best quality box that you can afford, as it is vital that nest box will not only look attractive, but also be a safe haven for young and vulnerable birds.
We recommend that you choose a nest box that has been made from FSC® certified timber and comes from a trusted bird manufacturer. It is important to use a next box which has not been coated in anything that may possibly hamper the development of young birds.
Our Peckish brand has a range of bird boxes which have been approved by the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO). The BTO recommends the following standards:
- Each wall of the nest box is over 15mm thick to provide sufficient thickness to insulate and prevent warping
- Entrance holes are 32mm, the ideal size for all small-hole nesting birds, such as House Sparrows.
It is also a good idea to consider features such as:
- Drainage holes to prevent a build up of moisture
- Slate roofs providing easy access for cleaning
- Slate or metal around the entrance hole, offering protection against woodpeckers
Click here to see our range of next boxes
Where to locate your Nest Box
It it is best to position nest boxes on tree trunks or on poles that are high up and well away from predators.
Locate the nest box facing the direction between north and east to avoid and protect the birds and the nest box from the strongest sunlight, rain and wind.
