Woodpecker Boxes

[Lincs Yellowbelly]

Hi,

I have aquired some suprlus wood from work and am planning to make a next box for Gt Spotted Woodpeckers have anybody had any experience of woodpecker using boxes? and does anybody know of a website with a plan to work from?

Thanks

[pheonix]

im not sure ive ever seen a design for a woodpecker box?
but im sure there must be one somewhere, if not im sure with a bit of planning and imagination you could come up with a couple and trial them, might be an interesting test..

[Mark43]

http://www.cornwallwildlifetrust.org.../birdboxes.pdf

Page 5

[henrya]

There's also a book with designs for just about every type of bird box you'll need. I'll look it up this evening and post the details tomorrow (it's at home).

henrya

[Lincs Yellowbelly]

Cheers everyone, I have used the design off that site to mark out the box out of interest has anybody seen a woodpecker using a box?

Oh and can anyone reccomend a suitable coating to protect the wood?

[henrya]

The book is "Nest boxes for the birds of Britain and Europe" by Lennart Bolund published by Sainsbury Publishing in 1987 ISBN 1-870655 00-1. Box designs for Wryneck and Green, Black, Great Spotted and Three-toed Woodpeckers!

henrya

[life through a lens]

Originally Posted by Lincs Yellowbelly

Oh and can anyone reccomend a suitable coating to protect the wood?

The RSPB suggests its best not to treat any boxes but if it has to be done to ensure it is a water based preservative, such as Sadolin.

Also, if it is for a woodpecker, remember to place some balsa wood or part of an old rotten log (or wood chips as a last resort) in the base as they like to create their own nest cavities.

Good luck.

Olly