National Nest Box Week
Valentine’s Day marks the start of a special week which aims to encourage people to show some extra love for our feathered friends.
Organised by the British Trust for Ornithology, National Nest Box Week highlights the need for putting up more nest boxes in our gardens.
Mid-February is when many birds start to pair up and seek out territories for the breeding season ahead, making it a great time to put up new nest boxes.
Our Gardening and Wildlife Manager Ryan Shenton says: “Due to urbanisation and climate change many natural nesting habitats are disappearing. As these nesting sites vanish, nest boxes become vital for the survival and wellbeing of our wild birds. It’s a small step that makes a big difference to local wildlife.”
Barton Grange stocks a wide selection of nest boxes starting from just £6.99. Choices include birch log nest boxes, sparrow flats and paint-your-own varieties. Read our top tips to find out how you can provide a safe and cosy home for your garden birds.
Ryan’s top tips
Location
Garden birds need to feel protected so it’s always a good idea to position your nest boxes high up, ideally near prickly or thorny bushes to deter any unwanted visitors. If you don’t have a tree or building to provide shade, face your box between north and east to avoid strong sunlight and heavy wind. Always ensure birds have a clear flightpath to their entrance. And don’t put feeding stations directly next to a nest box, as birds won’t be inclined to use it if there are too many visitors.
Size
When selecting a nest box, you need to think about what species of bird you want to attract to your garden. The hole size in the box should match the size of the bird’s beak and the floor area should be large enough for the birds to nest comfortably.
Home comforts
Birds love gardens that have birdbaths and feeders, so they have food and water close to hand. If they see that your garden is particularly hospitable, they’re more likely to stick around and take advantage of an empty nest box.
National Nest Box Week runs from February 14th to 21st. For more details visit nestboxweek.com
