Final call for nest boxes

23/02/2010 14:26:26 Wanted: one bedroom house, bit of a squash, slightly drafty and previous owners not a problem. Immediate occupancy essential.

February 2010. The RSPB is making a final request call for nest boxes to be put up and urging anyone that hasn't done so yet to do it straight away. The UK's bird breeding season will soon get underway and whilst some birds may have already chosen their nest sites, a few species may still take up residence.

Richard James, RSPB Wildlife Adviser, says: "If you still have nest boxes in your shed or garage, now is the time to get them up. Ideally nest boxes should go up in autumn for winter shelter followed by breeding but you may just be lucky if you don't delay. It may be chilly but make that your one outdoor job this weekend!"

Tits
Tits will not seriously investigate nesting sites until February or March and spotted flycatchers won't be arriving in the UK until April or May. Some birds have multiple broods and robins and wrens may use a nest box that has recently been put up for later broods.

Nest boxes are excellent substitutes for holes in old trees. Just like we put out supplementary food in gardens to help our birds we can also create extra homes for them too.

60 species use nest boxes
Over 60 bird species are known to have used nest boxes. Regular residents include blue tits, nuthatches, house sparrows and starlings. The species that use your nest box will depend on the type of box, where it is located and its surroundings.

Boxes for blue tits, sparrows or starlings should be fixed two to four metres up a tree or wall. Face the box between north and east away from strong sunlight and the wettest winds. These birds need clear flight paths without clutter in front of the entrance. House sparrows and starling will readily use next boxes placed high under eaves and two or three can be spaced out on the same side of the house.

Robins and wrens need open fronted boxes placed low down, well hidden in vegetation. Woodpecker boxes need to be three to five metres high on a tree trunk with a clear flight path and away from disturbance.