nest boxes

[jdurbo]

hi Is it too late this year to put up nest boxes? and where are the best places to site them? someone told me they should be facing a certain direction is this true? jen xxx

[Lincs Yellowbelly]

You don't have a great chance of them being used this breeding season, although they would probably be used for roosting I always site mine N/NE

[jdurbo]

thanks for your reply but what is roosting? and do birds use nest boxes to shelter in the winter? jen xxx

[Tursiops2]

Hi jdurbo. As LY says, there's little chance of a new nestbox being used this year.

Roosting = sleeping. Many birds will use nestboxes to roost in over the winter - wrens in particular will often roost comunally, I believe the record is of about 60 birds in one box (!).

As for siting, it depends partly on the type of nestbox and what species you want to use it. Assuming you have the typical hole-fronted type for tits, then it should be at least 6' above the ground, in a sheltered position on a wall or tree, and inaccessible to cats. It can face any direction, but it is important that it is not exposed to direct sunlight for long periods (this can overheat the chicks), so boxes are usually positioned facing somewhere between NW and E.

Tursiops2

[mrs fish]

Facing west is good for roosting, my next door neighbour has a box facing west and it is used by a blue tit throughout the winter for roosting, it has never been used for nesting.

My second brood great tits are about to fledge, they are very noisy and have started to pop their heads out, fingers crossed I don't miss it
My box faces east

[kshotton45]

Slightly off the original topic - is there any 'tried and tested' best direction for a nest box to face ? Are there any 'bird specific' directions.
I've have birds nest in all directions in my boxes. South seems the most popular though.

Keith.

[mrs fish]

South is ok in the spring as it is not too hot normally, west is definately too hot for nesting, the chicks would cook.

For the last two years I have not had first brood nesting after the box had been used for 7 years first by blue tits and then greats, I put this down to freezing cold easterly winds which we have had in march the last two years
I am chuffed to have second brood great tits this year though

[jdurbo]

thanks for all your replys.. a birdman i know made us a nest box with a small hole think its for tits, and he is making another one for us should i ask for a bigger hole this time for a different bird? and is it wise to put them not to far from each other? jen xxx

[mrs fish]

There is info here

The RSPB: Advice