Anyone got any tips on the best nesting box to buy???

[redragon]

I want to put up a nesting box for a small bird.

[lol geoff]

There's a certain satisfaction when birds use a nestbox that you have made yourself. Have a look here and Knock one up for yourself.

[nightshade]

Schwegler if you have the money you cannot however beat
making your own plenty of plans on the net.Do not forget the BATS

[Reptilian]

Originally Posted by lol geoff

There's a certain satisfaction when birds use a nestbox that you have made yourself. Have a look here and Knock one up for yourself.

I agree, it's always better to make one yourself. We built this one years back. Really easy to make. it's a bit old and weathered now but it still does the job. We have a pair of Blue Tits nesting in it at the moment.

[Lords and Ladies]

Can I asked a related question. Is it better to have a perch on the front of the box or not?

I've read in a few places that perches aren't necessary and it seems most commercial nestboxes don't have them. This could be just to make them cheaper to make and easier to pack.

I can't help but think a perch makes life a little easier for the birds, I could be wrong though.

[James_Owen]

Might be a good idea to think more specific of which species you want to encourage to nest.

In my garden a box with a hole sized for blue tits wouldn't be used because the local gardens aren't any good for them, whereas those boxes designed for by sparrows or robins do.

Personally, I'm thinking about getting a swift box up for the summer. How cool would that be?

[Reptilian]

Originally Posted by Lords and Ladies

Can I asked a related question. Is it better to have a perch on the front of the box or not?

I've read in a few places that perches aren't necessary and it seems most commercial nestboxes don't have them. This could be just to make them cheaper to make and easier to pack.

I can't help but think a perch makes life a little easier for the birds, I could be wrong though.

The small perch on the front of my box is used by nesting Bluetits all the time. While one bird is in the box the other will wait on the perch occasionally poking it's head in to see what's going on. It's not necessary but i think it's makes things a little easier too.

[Elizabeth B]

Originally Posted by Lords and Ladies

Can I asked a related question. Is it better to have a perch on the front of the box or not?

I've read in a few places that perches aren't necessary and it seems most commercial nestboxes don't have them. This could be just to make them cheaper to make and easier to pack.

I can't help but think a perch makes life a little easier for the birds, I could be wrong though.

I believe that a perch is not recommended as it also make life easier for the predators that might visit.

We've had bird boxes here since we moved in over 16 years ago, and they've always been used - and we've never had perches.

[Lance Morgan]

Originally Posted by Reptilian

I agree, it's always better to make one yourself. We built this one years back. Really easy to make. it's a bit old and weathered now but it still does the job. We have a pair of Blue Tits nesting in it at the moment.

Crikey blue tits nesting already that is early

[Lincs Yellowbelly]

Making your own is quite simple to do and to be honest they are better than most of the wooden ones you can buy i never put a perch on the outside, it is not needed by the bird and can help predetors get easier access

[redragon]

Thank you all for your advice

[Lords and Ladies]

Thanks for answering my perch query. Like Reptilian said, I remember a nestbox we had when I was a kid, it had a perch, and one adult would stay outside on the perch and pass food in.

I added a DIY perch to my shop-bought box but perhaps I'll take it off if it's not needed. I'm probably underestimating how agile bluetits are.