Nest Boxes

Nest boxes are manmade boxes that are used by birds to nest in. It is important to realize that not all mammals and birds nest in cavities. Many birds like meadowlark or American robin and other birds build their nests in trees. Birds build their nests with the help of wooden sticks or leaves. Manmade nests are also built by those who love birds.

Many people build nests as their hobby and find it interesting. For building nest boxes, wood is the only appropriate material to use. Wood is the natural building material which possesses good insulating properties. Metal nest boxes are also marketed, but these are unsuitable for outdoor use, as they can overheat easily in the sun.

Come early spring, the birds start to nest, indeed Rooks are already busy in February, by which time you should be putting up nest boxes if you expect birds to use them that year. All you want is a box made from 2 cm (1/4 in) thick wood. The base should be about 15 cm (16 in) square, with a couple of drainage holes, and the sides should be 20 cm (8 in) high at the front and 25 cm (10 in) at the back. Fix the whole thing to a backboard which extends above the top and bottom so it can be fixed firmly to a tree and hinge a sloping roof so that the rain does not sit on it to rot, and so that you can clean the thing out before each breeding season. The hinged roof is not there so that you can keep lifting it to see what is going on. That is a sure way of encouraging your birds to nest elsewhere. The only variable feature of the nest box is the front panel. If you want it for his or birds of similar size, drill a 30 mm (VA in) entrance hole. For larger birds use a 40 mm (11/2in) hole and if it is intended for Robins or flycatchers make the front wall only 12 cm (41/4 in) high so that there is a gap at the top. If you would like Robins to nest, the box must be situated fairly low down, as in natural conditions they nest in banks.

When you are sitting the nest boxes, if you put up only one the chances are that you will be unsuccessful in attracting birds to it. Put up a dozen and you immediately improve your likelihood of success. Site them in all the attractive places you can find, being careful not to position them so that the entrance holes face the prevailing wind.

A further encouragement to nesting birds is a ready supply of suitable nesting materials, and lumps of hay, combings from the cat, and even the dog if the hair is short, should be stuck in forks of trees or holes in walls or anywhere suitable for the birds to find. Long horse hair or sheep's wool should be cut into short lengths before being offered, or it can become wrapped around a bird’s leg and a fracture can result, or occasionally a bird can be hanged by its leg until it dies

Before building a nest box or buying a readymade box, take care of the following things:

• Decide which species you would like to attract in your nest box and accordingly, select its size
• Make sure the desired species is found in the part of your country where you live.
• Be sure to place the nest box in an appropriate location.
• Do not put a nest box unless you have enough time to manage it by keeping it clean.

Nest Box Basics

Just like birds, nest boxes come in many shapes and sizes. It can be built or purchased with different designs described as:

• Untreated wood (cedar, fir, or pine)
• Sloped roof, overhanging
• Rough interior walls, recessed floor
• Drainage holes and ventilation holes
• Easy access for monitoring and cleaning
• No outside perches and sturdy construction.

How to Build a Nest Box

Birds do not insist for their nest sites to be mathematically precise. All they require is a nest box which is secure and weatherproof and safe from predators. As wood is the best material to use; new or old wood, soft wood or hardwood is not really important. Use what is readily available. 0.75 inches thick wood is ideal.

The nest should be built at a height which is clear of inquisitive humans and prowling cats. It is best to mount the box facing between south east and north to avoid strong direct sunlight and heavy rains. While building the box, tilt it slightly forward so that the roof may deflect the rain.

Cleaning

After each breeding season, all nest boxes should be taken down and nesting materials should be removed. Do not use any insecticide or flea powders while cleaning the nest. Annual cleaning is best carried in October or November.

Providing nest boxes is a popular and growing hobby for Americans. Building nests according to proper specifications, placing them in the right habitat and maintaining them can benefit both bird and mammal populations.