Anyone intending to put up bird boxes this year?

[Nicos]

I was just wondering if perhaps we need to think about this earlier than usual this year?
as with my recent thread about flowers being so ahead and the thread about hedgehogs being seen, maybe our wildlife might be thinking about having young too early as well?

That being the case we perhaps should concentrate earlier this year on getting up/ making nesting boxes?

anyone planning to install them ...or put up more soon?

[muddled]

I asked for a birdhouse/bird feeder for the the plot on my xmas list.

I received a beautiful bird feeder, in the shape of a 'human' house.

I'm not convinced birds go to it, I AM convinced humans will nick it.

I may have to rethink the whole idea!

[dogsbody]

Nicos, I put my new ones up in the autumn to give roosting birds a chance as well. Now is a good time to put them up too as the birds need time to find them and inspect them. I may have a fight brewing soon as the nestbox used nightly by "Bob" was being given the once over by another blue tit the other day.

Muddled they aren't difficult to make (or places like Poundstrecher and Wilkos have them usually reasonably cheap) see this RSPB thread The RSPB: Advice: Making a nestbox

[dogsbody]

Forgot to mention don't put too many of the same type into a small space as many birds get territorial when it comes to breeding season, best to space them well apart or put up different types (robin box, blue tit box, sparrow etc.).

[Nicos]

Hadn't thought about territories and overcrowding...thanks for that!

[Nicos]

The thing about nest boxes which confuses me is that different birds need different sized boxes or holes, some with or without a perch, different species prefer different heights and N/S/E/W facing aspects.
It all gets a bit confusing!

[muddled]

Hmm...
Well I have one small plum tree on the plot so choice of residence will be limited.
Now, what bird eats the most slugs and what is their ideal home like?

I'm off for a gurgle and a look on that RSPB link.......

[sparrow100]

I'm putting up a sparrow terrace and possibly a box for tits. The plot below mine won't be worked for 2 years so it will be nice and quiet.

[hamesy]

I got a couple of nest boxes from loldeantimber on eBay during the autumn. They are currently on the shed along with the feeder.

[noviceveggrower]

I put a robin box up last year but had no visitors. Might try and relocate it this year and see what happens.

[mothhawk]

I do the same as dogsbody and put up new ones in autumn. Had to re-roof one of mine, so I used a piece of decking from a chunk I found. It's more effort to saw through to get it to size, because it's so thick, but it won't crack or warp, and the grooves allow the rain to run off much better.

[ancee]

Sparrow. What's a 'sparrow terrace'? My sparrows all line up along the fence, queueing for their turn on the fat balls, very civilised!!!

[Nicos]

Sparrow terrace?...I've not heard of one either...had to look it up!

Sparrow Terrace Nest Box | RSPB Bird Nest Boxes | RSPB Shop

Is this the one you have sparrow? There look to be a few different designers on the market.

[Scarlet]

My brother makes mine. Different sized boxes with different size holes - he also gives me instructions on where I should put them I have one outside my office window, it's never been nested in but the blue tits use it during the day. Lovely to watch.

[dogsbody]

Hmm...
Well I have one small plum tree on the plot so choice of residence will be limited.
Now, what bird eats the most slugs and what is their ideal home like?

I'm off for a gurgle and a look on that RSPB link.......

I would suggest you take a look at what birds are around the plot already as a nest box isn't going to entice anything new along. Probably Robin or tit boxes will be best. Ideal opportunity to do the Big Garden Birdwatch down at the plot?
But don't be too disappointed if nothing takes up residence straight away - could take a couple of years..... (some of mine despite being in the "right" place stand empty...)