Best place to position a bird box?

r00fie1

r00fie1

Well-known member
Roofie made a bird box out of old bits of wood this morning.

There`s a big tree in the garden and I wonder if its worth placing it on there, or whether to put it on the side wall - but concerned there might be bird poo all over the path.

Any suggestions?

* ps: There are lots of Robbins, t*ts, Magpies and Sparrows around.
 
r00fie1 said:
I read the hole needs to be facing away from the sun?
Is two meters off the ground OK?
There`s lots of pesky Squirrels about.
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I would imagine 2 metered would be good. Not sure if ours will get used as loads of cats on the estate and use the fence it’s near to run across.

Squirrels carnivores?
 
2m up and doesn't matter which direction you place it. The only birds you will really get in it are t*ts, 100% not Crows or Magpies :D
 
r00fie1 said:
Roofie made a bird box out of old bits of wood this morning.

There`s a big tree in the garden and I wonder if its worth placing it on there, or whether to put it on the side wall - but concerned there might be bird poo all over the path.

Any suggestions?

* ps: There are lots of Robbins, t*ts, Magpies and Sparrows around.
Click to expand...
When you say bird box is it somewhere for them to roost or a nesting box ? How big is the entrance for them to get in ? Obviously it’s not the time of year for birds to nest but boxes can be a useful place for them to roost away from predators. Place them away from areas easily accessible to cats would be a good start
 
r00fie1 said:
Roofie made a bird box out of old bits of wood this morning.

There`s a big tree in the garden and I wonder if its worth placing it on there, or whether to put it on the side wall - but concerned there might be bird poo all over the path.

Any suggestions?

* ps: There are lots of Robbins, t*ts, Magpies and Sparrows around.
Click to expand...
Did you get that tree issue with your neighbour sorted ok Roofie?
 
Funky_Chicken said:
When you say bird box is it somewhere for them to roost or a nesting box ? How big is the entrance for them to get in ? Obviously it’s not the time of year for birds to nest but boxes can be a useful place for them to roost away from predators. Place them away from areas easily accessible to cats would be a good start
Click to expand...
The hole is actually oblong: 35 mm X 40 mm.
Its 200 mm tall and 70mm depth.
Used a bean stick cut to 70mm as a perch outside.
Sloping roof to protect the inside from getting wet.
Should I just nail it to the tree and see what happens?
 
Nice one, I have a few in my garden of different designs. So it depends on what birds to want to attract to the nest box. For example, t1ts nest in a box with a hole and the hole diameter varies upon which type of t1ts. A robin will use an open front next box. One of the reasons is to deter predators. The two things to consider are position 2m-3m will be ok and not facing the sun as it will get too hot in summer. Also think about having a roof that opens as you need to clean out the old nest for the following year. Good luck and keep us posted!
RSPB has some good tips.
 
Wrens prefer 10 feet off the ground in a tree, southern facing, small holes and no perches.
 
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r00fie1 said:
The hole is actually oblong: 35 mm X 40 mm.
Its 200 mm tall and 70mm depth.
Used a bean stick cut to 70mm as a perch outside.
Sloping roof to protect the inside from getting wet.
Should I just nail it to the tree and see what happens?
Click to expand...
A tree is not a bad place - as long as there are no branches close to the box for cats to sit and wait to pounce on any unsuspecting birds
 
If you have squirrels, once they find the box they will go back and predate eggs or young birds. I speak from experience as that’s happened with all four of my boxes this year. Next year, I’m going to cut some metal to put round the holes so the squirrels can’t gnaw their way into the box. (Though hopefully the pine martens will get the squirrels first!!)
 
Big tree option, about 10 ft up, has worked in my neigbouhood. Needs to be blue t*t-sized hole. Don't expect quick result, might be second year before it's occupied.
 
guisborough_rob said:
If you have squirrels, once they find the box they will go back and predate eggs or young birds. I speak from experience as that’s happened with all four of my boxes this year. Next year, I’m going to cut some metal to put round the holes so the squirrels can’t gnaw their way into the box. (Though hopefully the pine martens will get the squirrels first!!)
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Hi Rob.
If it werent for accidentally shooting the neighbours or poisoning innocent cats and pets, I would happily blast the squirrels with a GPMG and a packet of hard-tac to give the little wotsits constipation!
 
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