Garden birds use nest boxes all winter – if they are in the right place
19th December 2008
RSPB urges gardeners to site nest boxes ready for winter house hunting
Garden birds use nestboxes to shelter in over winter as well as to raise families in spring, and the RSPB is appealing to gardeners to put theirs up in the right place now, ready for winter roosting. Nestboxes don't always sit unused over winter as many people believe, and you may have some unexpected winter guests.
Many birds will enter nestboxes during the autumn and winter looking for a suitable place to roost or feed. They then often use the same boxes for nesting in the spring. But the location of a nestbox is very important. Putting them in the wrong place could lead to young birds dyeing from heat exhaustion if exposed to too much sunlight when the days warm up in spring for example.
Richard James, an RSPB Wildlife Adviser says: "It might seem very early to be thinking about siting your nestbox but as well as using them to shelter from the cold, birds will actually start shopping around for suitable nest sites soon too.
"Birds often use nestboxes as a place to roost or store food in winter. An amazing 61 wrens have been found roosting in one nestbox to shelter from the cold before. The warmth generated in a communal roost can really save them in harsh winters.
Where to locate a nestbox
"Its also vital that you choose the right place for your box - please don't just put them up on any old bit of wall or fence. The direction is very important. Unless there are trees or buildings which shade the box during the day, they need to be facing between north and east to protect them from overheating in the strongest summer sunshine. This will also shelter them from our prevailing damp south westerly winds."
Other tips include:
Make sure that birds have a clear flight path to the nest without any clutter directly in front of the entrance.
Most nestboxes should not be located too close to the ground or on a fence or shed where cats can lurk. Boxes for robins and wrens, however, shouldn't be too high and are best placed amongst greenery to give additional protection from the elements and predators.
If you have more than one nestbox site them as far apart as possible as many birds like their own space and are very territorial during the breeding season.
Richard James says: "Putting in a bit of effort now by getting your nest boxes out and putting them in the right place will also increase your chances of having a bustling garden bursting with young birds in spring, so it will beneficial all year round."
To find out more about nestboxes and where to site them visit www.rspb.org.uk. To order a variety of nestboxes visit www.rspb.org.uk/shop
Garden birds use nestboxes to shelter in over winter as well as to raise families in spring, and the RSPB is appealing to gardeners to put theirs up in the right place now, ready for winter roosting. Nestboxes don't always sit unused over winter as many people believe, and you may have some unexpected winter guests.
Many birds will enter nestboxes during the autumn and winter looking for a suitable place to roost or feed. They then often use the same boxes for nesting in the spring. But the location of a nestbox is very important. Putting them in the wrong place could lead to young birds dyeing from heat exhaustion if exposed to too much sunlight when the days warm up in spring for example.
Richard James, an RSPB Wildlife Adviser says: "It might seem very early to be thinking about siting your nestbox but as well as using them to shelter from the cold, birds will actually start shopping around for suitable nest sites soon too.
"Birds often use nestboxes as a place to roost or store food in winter. An amazing 61 wrens have been found roosting in one nestbox to shelter from the cold before. The warmth generated in a communal roost can really save them in harsh winters.
Where to locate a nestbox
"Its also vital that you choose the right place for your box - please don't just put them up on any old bit of wall or fence. The direction is very important. Unless there are trees or buildings which shade the box during the day, they need to be facing between north and east to protect them from overheating in the strongest summer sunshine. This will also shelter them from our prevailing damp south westerly winds."
Other tips include:
Make sure that birds have a clear flight path to the nest without any clutter directly in front of the entrance.
Most nestboxes should not be located too close to the ground or on a fence or shed where cats can lurk. Boxes for robins and wrens, however, shouldn't be too high and are best placed amongst greenery to give additional protection from the elements and predators.
If you have more than one nestbox site them as far apart as possible as many birds like their own space and are very territorial during the breeding season.
Richard James says: "Putting in a bit of effort now by getting your nest boxes out and putting them in the right place will also increase your chances of having a bustling garden bursting with young birds in spring, so it will beneficial all year round."
To find out more about nestboxes and where to site them visit www.rspb.org.uk. To order a variety of nestboxes visit www.rspb.org.uk/shop
