Bird, Bat and Anything Nest Box Challenge.

[Adam W.]

I saw this and thought it might make a nice idea for a group effort to make a swift box each out of scraps (I'm sure we all have some scraps lying around ) and install it for the summer....Who will join me ?

‘I feel I’ve made a mark’: the man who built homes for 60,000 swifts

Retired salesman John Stimpson was so moved by the cries of birds unable to find nests, he decided to act. Now he has made enough boxes to house half the UK’s swifts

www.theguardian.com

Here's some plans....

Swift nest box designs free instructions for eaves and corner swift boxes

Home made swift nest box design, plans and building instructions including nest cup. Successful & cost effective swift boxes - both DIY and to buy

www.bristolswifts.co.uk

Loads more on the web.

By popular demand, it's open to all bird, bat and anything nest boxes to see what we can tempt into our gardens this summer.

 

[paulrbarnard]

Is there a prize for the fastest?

 

[Adam W.]

Only fleeting internet glory if you tempt a swift or two.

 

[Jamesc]

How about opening it up to all bird boxes. A quick google suggests that we would struggle to find a suitable location on our house for a Swift Box.

 

[Adam W.]

How about opening it up to all bird boxes. A quick google suggests that we would struggle to find a suitable location on our house for a Swift Box.

@Jamesc Your wish is my command.......

I'm going for swifts and spotted flycatchers.

 

[Jamesc]

OK Challenge accepted. Lets see what I have in the workshop this weekend

 

[Inspector]

We leave about 4 of our 9 acres un-mowed. The Meadowlarks nest in the tall dead grass. So by doing nothing I'm already ahead of you guys.

Pete

 

[clogs]

been there a while......we put up boxes for blue **** but they wern't interested.....
now it took a year but the house sparrows love em.....
norm get 2 broods a year.....
Please also include BAT boxes to ur build list......have my offcuts ready to go for our's....

 

[Adam W.]

been there a while......we put up boxes for blue **** but they wern't interested.....
now it took a year but the house sparrows love em.....
norm get 2 broods a year.....
Please also include BAT boxes to ur build list......have my offcuts ready to go for our's....

Done.

I'm looking forward to your bat box build.

 

[mikej460]

You will probably find birds don't use new nest boxes in the first year, I think they prefer them after they've mellowed a bit. I have always wanted to build an owl box to install in one of our ash trees so I'll look into that.

 

[NickM]

This isn't a new box but is one I lashed together about 18 years ago I guess. This was the visitor a couple of days ago.

 

[TomB]

I built a shed for my dear old Ma last winter and incorporated a nest box inside it with an entrance hole under the eaves. I made the hole really small to encourage blue **** and they were straight into it in the spring. I don’t think there’s much in the way of suitable nest sites where she lives though.

 

[MichaelChou]

This isn't a new box but is one I lashed together about 18 years ago I guess. This was the visitor a couple of days ago.
View attachment 127485

A Pug Chicken if I’m not mistaken.

 

[baldkev]

I made a matching bird box to go with my bat boxes ( i started a bat conservation thing last year )
Being solid lumps of wood, better thermal insulation and of course closer to a natural setting...

I need to do some more, these were prototypes
Batroost.co.uk

 

[doctor Bob]

I have barn owls that swoop the river (river Ash, more like a big stream) at the front of my house, so I shall be going owl box on a mature willow, if I can find the time.

 

[tonywatkins]

I built a shed for my dear old Ma last winter and incorporated a nest box inside it with an entrance hole under the eaves. I made the hole really small to encourage blue **** and they were straight into it in the spring. I don’t think there’s much in the way of suitable nest sites where she lives though.

That's a really good idea to incorporate it into the shed. I'll remember that for when I build a new bike shed, hopefully later this year (I might need wood prices to come down again first though!).

 

[Doug B]

Im ahead of the game, made this a few months back from oddments of wood, lead & slate for a lady I do work for.

 

[recipio]

Blue **** are the most likely to use a box but don't put a landing peg on the outside - it just makes it easier for predation. Orientation to the sun is important but don't ask me which direction - anyone know ?

 

[accipiter]

Blue **** are the most likely to use a box but don't put a landing peg on the outside - it just makes it easier for predation. Orientation to the sun is important but don't ask me which direction - anyone know ?

Did a quick Google and this was one of the links that came up with lots of information and guidance:

Where to position bird nest boxes

The location, size of nest box and size of entrance are all factors that will determine whether or not birds

www.lovethegarden.com

This bit taken from the link:
"Direction of nest box
The recommended direction to face a nest box is between north and east, as this will provide natural protection from direct sunlight, wind and rain, creating a more suitable and safe environment for growing birds. The box can also be tilted marginally forward to allow any rain to run clear of the entrance."

 

[baldkev]

but don't put a landing peg on the outside - it just makes it easier for predation.

Ahh.... good point