Choosing A Bird Box For Your Garden
By Anna Price
Putting a bird box in your garden is a great way of attracting birds. Birds will use a bird box not only for breeding but as shelter in the cold winter months.
Choose a bird box that is made from an insulating material such as wood, coir or terracotta.
A nest box that is made from a hardwood will last a lot longer than one made from a softwood like pine. The wood should be between 15 and 20 mm thick.
A box made from thin wood, plywood, corrugated cardboard, plastic or solid ceramic will not be as successful.
There should be drainage holes at the bottom of the box and ventilation holes to ensure a fresh supply of air.
If you live near woodland or in the countryside then choose a bigger nest box to attract birds like woodpeckers and owls.
If you live in a more urban area then you should choose a smaller bird box for common garden birds.
The internal floor area of the bird box should be at least 130 sq cm - if the box is too small the birds will lay fewer eggs.
Don't choose a box that is part of a bird table as the nesting birds will come into conflict with the feeding ones.
Position the box in the shade of buildings or trees and make sure that there is a clear flight path into the nest box and the entrance is free from clutter.
Starlings will use nest boxes placed high up under the eaves. You can place two or three of these on the same side of the house as these birds will nest in loose colonies.
Open-fronted boxes for robins or wrens need to be low down and hidden in vegetation. Woodpecker next boxes should be high up on a tree trunk and away from disturbance.
Autumn is the best time to put your nest box up.
Don't use nails to fix your nest box to a tree which may damage it.
If there is plenty of natural food then two boxes close together may be occupied by the same species if they are at the edge of adjoining territories.
It may take a few months before birds get used to your bird box but once they do you can be sure that they will return again and again to it. Not only will a bird box give you great pleasure but you'll also be doing your bit to help wildlife.
About the author
This article was written by the owner of http://www.britishbirdlovers.co.uk where you can find advice about bird boxes and creating a bird friendly garden.
The author is a keen gardener and amateur bird watcher. from http://www.FreeArticlesAndContent.com
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