BerkshireBuckinghamshireOxfordshireBuilding a nest box

There are many different designs available, but the following is a basic plan suitable for most of our small garden birds.

Materials required

Rough cut, unplaned, untreated softwood timber 15cm wide x 150cm long x 10-15mm thickRubber for the hinge e.g. from an old bicycle tyreGalvanised 20mm nailsCapentry saw, hammer, hand brace or drill with 25mm, or 28mm, or 32mm diameter bits, pencil and ruler, scissors for cutting rubber

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Protecting local wildlife

DirectionsMark out the panels of the next box with pencil and ruler to the dimensions shown on the left.

Write the name of each panel onto the marked out wood. Where possible try to ensure that the grain will run vertically in the finished box; this will help with drainage.

Saw the panels apart. Note that you will need to make a slanted 450 cut between the front panel and the roof.

The size and shape of the opening will determine which species use the box.

Hole fronted box - use a drill to make a round entrance hole of:

25mm for coal, marsh and blue tits28mm for great tits and tree sparrows32mm for house sparrows and nuthatches

Open fronted robin and wren box

Simply saw off 60mm from the top of the front panel to make a ‘window’ type entrance.

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Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust,The Lodge, 1 Armstrong Road, Littlemore, Oxford, OX4 4XT

www.bbowt.org.uk

BerkshireBuckinghamshireOxfordshireBuilding a nest box

Nail one of the sides onto the back plate through the back, then nail on the floor panel. Nail on the other side panel. Take care to avoid splitting the wood.

Nail all other panels except the roof into placeIf all your joints fit snugly you may need to drill a few small holes in the base for drainage purposes.Fix on the roof panel with a hinge made from the rubber. This should cover the join between the roof and back plate completely to ensure that it is waterproof. Nail the rubber into the back plate first, then pull it tightly over the join and nail it into the roof. The roof should open and close like a lid.

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Where to put your nest boxHole-fronted boxes should be sited between two and five metres above the ground on a tree or wall away from overhanging branches, out of reach of cats.Unless there are trees of buildings giving permanent shelter, boxes should face between north and east to avoid strong sunlight and the wind directions that normally give the wettest weather.Tilt the box slightly downwards so that driving rain will run off the roof.Although you can use nails to fix the box to the tree, this may cause damage to the tree, and you may prefer to attach it with wire around the trunk or a branch.Put a piece of hose or section of tyre around the wire to avoid damage to the tree and you will need to inspect the fixing every couple of years as the tree will increase in size.House sparrows will readily use boxes placed under eaves and this may deter birds from nesting in your roof, but keep these away from locations where house martins would normally nest.Site nest boxes will away from bird tables and feeders as the constant movement to and from will put birds off nesting. Open-fronted boxes are best sited low down amongst cover such as ivy or a prickly bush.

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Protecting local wildlifeBerks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust,

The Lodge, 1 Armstrong Road, Littlemore, Oxford, OX4 4XTwww.bbowt.org.uk

Drill a screw hole through the roof into the front of the next box so that you can temporarily screw down the lid. This will prevent predators gaining entry to the box and will enable you to clean the box every year in the autumn.Wood treatments and preservatives will prolong the life of your box but are hazourdous to wildlife and fatal to bats. If you feel you have to treat your box then use products that are environmentally friendly, but do not apply them around the entrance hole or inside the box. Even without treatment your next box should last many years.

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A large print version of this fact sheet is available on request; please contact BBOWT’s Wildlife Information Service on 01865 788307.All information contained within our factsheets is to the best of our knowledge and accurate at the time of publishing. BBOWT will not accept any responsibility or liability for any losses or damage resulting from following the advice given.