Some advice please (1 Viewer)

[Andrew2660]

Can I have a bit of advice please.
Have attached two pics showing the side of my house and my neighbours. The gap is about 6 ft wide with that bush facing the road about 10 feet high. The gap is south-ish facing and get direct sunlight for about 30-60 mins a day. Height is about 8 meters and length is about the standard for a three bed semi. I hope to attract various garden birds, especially black birds, ( They are the only birds I can hear due to hearing loss) and Robins. We have the usual garden birds visiting us.

I would like to put up nesting boxes on both walls, (neighbour is quite happy for me to do so), and would like some advice please.

1. How many should I put up. I know 12 would be ok but am concerned about territory especially with the Robins. I will also be putting up boxes with cameras in. More than willing to put up more.
2. What height and what spacing would be ideal to bring in as many and as varied species possible.

Any other advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

Andrew Collier

 

[Kits]

Welcome to Birdforum! I am sure that you will find lots to interest you here and I hope you enjoy your visits.

I think that gap may be a little narrow for a nest box. Nest boxes should face between north and east and provide a clear flight path to the entrance. Many birds are territorial and won’t use boxes placed close together.

 

[Deb Burhinus]

If you want to put up that many boxes within such a relatively small area, I would put up boxes for species that nest in colonies.

Under the eaves at the front I would put housemartin or swift boxes, maybe enough for 8 nesters in like in groups of twos

house martin

House Martin Double Nesting Cups Plywood

House Martins are the birds with white rumps that build mud nests on the eaves of buildings often in colonies averaging five nests. They will readily use artificial nests and this may encourage other birds to nest nearby.

www.birdfood.co.uk

Swift boxes Expensive but has camera (Swifts very much in need)

Swift Nest Box with Ultra High Res Camera | Gardenature

Swift Nesting Box fitted with an Ultra High Resolution CCD infrared Camera. Weather resistant Cedar wood and removable front panel.

gardenature.co.uk

Starlings will also use the Swift boxes as they nest at different times.

Personally, I wouldn’t put any boxes on the front of the house other than those under the eaves. The disturbance levels will be too high, eg from windows opening/being cleaned/people entering/leaving house - if it faces South, it will be too hot too.

On the gable wall, right under the apex, I would put a bat box (daytime roosting).

Bat Boxes - Buildings, planning and development - Bat Conservation Trust

Bat boxes are artificial roosts designed to encourage bats into areas where there are few roosting sites. There are various designs of bat box from wood...

www.bats.org.uk

I would then create a House Sparrow ‘village’ and put 8 or so House Sparrow boxes at differing heights on the gable wall but in a fairly close grouping.

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www.rspb.org.uk

House Sparrows typically nest on old houses either under the eaves or gaps in the masonry. They also nest in colonies in climbing ivy and creepers which people remove nowadays. Providing an artificial village will greatly help them if not for nesting certainly for a winter roost.

You are unlikely to get Robins as they prefer lower nest sites in vegetation. Tits also prefer nests concealed by vegetation.

Bear in mind when deciding on how many boxes you put up, they will need maintaining and cleaning each January/February before birds start checking them out. Also bear in mind the bird poo streaking down your house and also onto the ground below. (Lastly If you are making any of the boxes do not use creosote!!! Use a water based preservative and make sure they are completely secure and will withstand high winds and rain).

 

[KC Foggin]

It’s important that the nest boxes should be facing east so they get little direct sunlight.


Hi there and a warm welcome to you from those of us on staff here at BirdForum
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[Deb Burhinus]

It’s important that the nest boxes should be facing east so they get little direct sunlight.

Sorry KC but I disagree with this.

Nest boxes are perfectly OK facing North. The important thing is to avoid prolonged sunlight as the boxes get too hot. The gable wall, very sheltered from prolonged sun and windy/stormy weather is a good location for House Sparrow boxes.

“The number one rule is never to position a nest box where it gets day-long direct sunlight, as it will simply get too hot inside and any young birds will perish. So avoid south-facing aspects, plus also exposed west-facing aspects which are likely to get blasted by wind and rain. The ideal position is a sheltered north or north-easterly aspect. A tree, wall or even a high fence post can be used to secure the nest box too, but generally, the nest box should be at least 1.5 metres above the ground.”


More info on nest boxes here

Guide to Putting Up Nest Boxes

Read this guide for everything you need to know on nest boxes including the best bird box by species, time for putting one out & thedirection to face them!

www.vinehousefarm.co.uk

 

[Andrew2660]

Thanks for all the info