Nesting: these days good holes are hard to find for small garden birds
They say the early bird gets the worm and the same can be said when it comes to house-hunting. Or, more specifically, hole-hunting. Great tits, blue tits, sparrows, wrens, robins, starlings and other garden favourites all like to nest in holes, whether they are in a gnarled old tree trunk or tucked up under the eaves - but these days, good holes are hard to find.
We’ve tamed our wild woodlands, tidied our parks and gardens and renovated old buildings, creating a shortage of nooks and crannies for the birds to make use of.
Thankfully, help is at hand because all of these cavity-nesting species will happily set up home in a nest box – an artificial hole with all the mod cons – and now is the perfect time to add one to your garden.
February 14 marks the start of National Nest Box Week, encouraging everyone everywhere to build or buy a nest box for their local lovebirds.
Different birds have slightly different preferences but you can’t go wrong with a typical small-hole (32mm) box, which is suitable for a wide range of tits and sparrows.
Starlings and woodpeckers like a slightly bigger box with a larger (45mm) hole; while robins, blackbirds, thrushes and wrens prefer an open-fronted box.
Choose one that’s made of thick wood or Woodcrete so that it’s waterproof and well-insulated.
Next, it’s all down to location.
The ideal spot will be sheltered
(away from the prevailing wind but not in full sun) either on a tree trunk, fence or wall.
Aim for a height of two to four metres with a clear flight path to the entrance, although open-fronted boxes are better hidden from view among ivy and other vegetation.
Starlings and sparrows like to be very high up and tend to nest in loose colonies, so you could space out several suitable boxes under the eaves on the same side of the house to encourage these birds to breed.
Other species like swifts and owls need more specialised nest boxes but there are plenty of options to choose from.
Visit www.nestboxweek.com for more tips and advice, or give me a call on 01273 494777.
CHARLOTTE OWEN
WildCall officer
Sussex Wildlife Trust