Give a bird a home says Sue Curnock of the Sussex Wildlife Trust

 

Many of us like to feed the birds, but do we think about giving them somewhere to stay close by and raise their family?

Pairs of garden birds start searching for nesting sites from mid-February, so this is a good time to put up a new bird box in your garden. There are plenty of ready made ones out there, or why not try making your own, as shown on our website.

It’s a wise idea to spend a few minutes thinking whereabouts you want to put your des res, somewhere sheltered from prevailing wind, rain, and strong sunlight is ideal. Did you know there are different shaped nest boxes to use, depending on which birds you would like to attract. Small-hole nest boxes for great tits, blue tits, or nuthatches are best sited 1-3 metres above ground on tree trunks or the side of a shed or wall, with a clear access space around the entrance hole. Robins prefer an open-fronted nest box placed lower to the ground on a wall or fence, well hidden behind foliage. Birds like a little personal space, so to avoid aggressive behaviour its best not to site boxes of the same type too close together or near to feeding stations. With a bit of luck, your efforts wil be rewarded when a family of blue tits fledges later this year and you can enjoy watching the busy parents fly back and forth with tasty treats for their growing brood.

 

For further information, please visit our ‘Wildlife Advice’ pages at: <&bh"http://www.sussexwildlifetrust.org.uk">www.sussexwildlifetrust.org.uk<&eh> or call Jess, our WildCall Officer on 01273 494777.