Strange Nestbox

Fieldfare95 · #1 (**permalink**) 29-06-2009, 07:52 PM

When I picked my brother up from school before, I noticed 6 nestboxes in a row across the top of the first floor. They were like upside-down robin boxes with the open front at the the bottom instead of the top.
Any ideas what bird they could be for?

ron1863 · #2 (**permalink**) 29-06-2009, 10:04 PM

I can only think that they could be for Bats

metalfish · #3 (**permalink**) 29-06-2009, 10:09 PM

agreed, bat boxes have a slot opening at the bottom for the bats to crawl up.
What a good thing for a school to do

bobbarber · #4 (**permalink**) 30-06-2009, 12:25 AM

I would say bat boxes as well. What an excellent idea for a school to do. Bats have a lot of bad `press` to live down, and if children become more familiar with them and find out what interesting creatures they are perhaps a lot of the `old wives` tales might disappear...Bob

James M · #5 (**permalink**) 30-06-2009, 08:19 AM

Ah yes probably bat boxes as others have said. Out of interest where can you buy bat boxes?

lizardbloke · #6 (**permalink**) 30-06-2009, 09:34 AM

Just google "Bat boxes"... I might get some of these

Elizabeth B · #7 (**permalink**) 30-06-2009, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fieldfare95

They were like upside-down robin boxes with the open front at the the bottom instead of the top.

The bat boxes I've seen have had the hole in the base of the box - though it's more a narrow slit than a hole. Could they have been swift boxes? There's a photo of a (successful) swift box here, and lots of video clips.

Phil's Nest Box - Home

Pigeon feather · #8 (**permalink**) 30-06-2009, 09:49 AM

My first thought was swift boxes too, I must invest in one sometime, we always have swifts screaming between the houses here and clutching the eaves looking for crevices

Fieldfare95 · #9 (**permalink**) 30-06-2009, 02:15 PM

Thanks everyone, never thought of bats

Yes, the school is very good for wildlife, there are lots of feeders and several nestboxes.

Fieldfare95 · #10 (**permalink**) 30-06-2009, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elizabeth B

The bat boxes I've seen have had the hole in the base of the box - though it's more a narrow slit than a hole. Could they have been swift boxes? There's a photo of a (successful) swift box here, and lots of video clips.

Phil's Nest Box - Home

Thanks for posting the picture

I thought it would be for something like swifts too, but the hole was all the way across.