Building a birdbox

Birds are incredibly important to any garden, adding movement and interest as well

as pest control and natural fertiliser. Growing plants with berries and seeds; avoiding chemical pest control, providing feeders at times when natural food is in short

supply, putting up nest boxes and insect hotels and growing shrubs and trees as

cover will all help to encourage birds into the garden.

There are plenty of nest boxes available to buy, in all sorts of shapes and

designs to suit any style of garden. It is very easy to build your own, using a

1.4m plank of wood, 150mm width and 15mm depth. Soft wood is readily available;

hardwood will last longer; but do not use pressure-treated timber.

Fig. 1: The cutting dimensions for building your own bird box.

• Cut the wood as shown in fig. 1

• For an open fronted nest box (robin), the front piece should be 150x150mm.

  For a blue tit or great tit box, a 32mm hole can be cut as shown

• The base will need 5 holes drilled in it for air and drainage

• Nail together the sides, back and base (fig. 2).

• Nail the front on (fig. 3)

Fig. 2

Fig. 3

Fig. 4

• Attach the roof using a strip of waterproof rubber, roofing felt

  or damp course membrane to create a hinge (fig. 4).

• Paint your bird box using a non-toxic water-based paint if

  desired (figs 5 and 6)

• Screw the nest box firmly onto a wall or tree, avoiding

  south-facing positions in full sun

Fig. 5

Fig. 6