Mounting a nest box - can the pole be treated with preservative?

[Sylvan]

I have a new nest box with camera that I intend to mount on a 2.4m tall (7.5cm square) wooden pole in my garden. I understand that the wood of the nest box itself should not be treated with wood preservative. However, what about the pole? Should this also be kept untreated so as not to put the birds off? I'm a bit worried about how quick the post will rot, but don't want to reduce the chances of the birds nesting.

Also, I'm hoping for tits or sparrows in the nest box. Is 2m off the ground (which is what it'll be once sunk) sufficient?

[ColonelBlimp]

Welcome to WAB!

I would have thought that it would be fine to preserve it, but I've got posts in my garden of a similar size that have been up for years untreated and are still fine.

I would have thought 2 metres is acceptable as the RSPB have said anything above 1.5m will do.

[The Black Rabbit]

If you are after Blue or Great Tits, or indeed Sparrows, I wouldn't overly worry about preserving the pole. As long as you don't use industrial strength creosote (or similar) and treat it nice and early, ie NOW!

As for the height of the pole - 2m high will be fine.
Our Blue-Tit box last year was about head height for me (1.9m) and the birds went straight in and had a successful brood.
Our new camera box this year, if anything, is a few cm lower, and the tits have been in and out since it was put up.

I would be more concerned if I was you about where you site your pole, and the direction of the opening of the box, to get it nice and attractive to possible nestees....
Hope that helps...
Cheers
Doug

[coasty]

If you ring round your local timber merchants You should be able to get a 75mm x 75mm length of air dried oak ( some of them may call it green oak ) This will last for many years without any preservative , Oak has natural chemicals in it which resists rotting. Dont buy Kiln dried wood as this wont be suitable. Alternatively some merchants sell fence posts made from recycled plastic these are 75mm sq and will last for ever , But dont look as nice..

[Matt Hunt]

Which direction is best for nest boxes? The box for wrens (open fronted) is meant to be North facing, but for enclosed boxes, is direction as important?

The side wall of my house faces south and I am thinking of mounting the enclosed (normal style) box on the corner of the East and South wall facing east.

Does it really matter?

thanks

Matt

[The Black Rabbit]

Well, like much well meant advice, I don't suppose it matters that much, buuuuttt...
Common sense might dictate that you don't point a box opening towards the direction of the prevailing wind and rain (normally SW ish in the UK), whether (hur hur!) the box is open (ie for robins) or enclosed (ie a tit box).

Site it where you are able of course, try and make it as cat / predator proof as possible, preferably out of the midday sun, and not pointing in the direction of the prevailing weather.

Do all the above (or as much as you are able), and you may well increase your chances not only of a nesting pair, but a successful nesting pair.

[Elizabeth B]

Originally Posted by Matt Hunt

Which direction is best for nest boxes? The box for wrens (open fronted) is meant to be North facing, but for enclosed boxes, is direction as important?

The side wall of my house faces south and I am thinking of mounting the enclosed (normal style) box on the corner of the East and South wall facing east.

Does it really matter?

thanks

Matt

Yes - it does matter! The box should be positioned where it will not get too hot.

There's information here: The RSPB: Advice: Siting a nestbox

[Matt Hunt]

Thanks.

Matt