Sharon Boardman - Wildlife - 7 February 2009 (From Worcester News)

Sharon Boardman - Wildlife - 7 February 2009

10:13am Monday 9th February 2009 in

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HAVE you noticed that the birds around you seem to be more vocal now than a month ago?

The great tit is even singing its characteristic ‘teach-er, teach-er’ song which is a sign that the breeding season has started.

Right now is a very good time to think about putting up nestboxes in your garden. Many birds can be seen checking out potential nest sites although most won’t start nesting for a couple of months.

Our friends at the British Trust for Ornithology have named the week that starts on 14 February for National Nest Box Week.

Nestboxes are used by more than 30 species of British birds including tits, sparrows, starlings, house martins, barn owls and kestrels, and they are excellent substitutes for holes found in trees.

You can learn lots about birds’ nesting and breeding behaviour from having a nestbox in your garden. And, they are not only useful in summer – many birds also use them during winter as a safe and cosy roosting site.

The species that use your nestbox will depend on its style and the size of the entrance.

Robins and wrens prefer open fronted nestboxes, and certain species such as house martins need specially shaped nests. You can also “change” the species that uses your nestbox by altering the size of the entrance hole.

When deciding which species you want to encourage into your garden, remember that starlings and house sparrows are in particular need of help as their populations are in serious decline.

If you want to provide a nest box, try, if possible, to target those birds that genuinely need help.

House sparrows are communal nesters so you could even put up two or three nestboxes under the eaves and have your very own sparrow colony. Starlings prefer medium sized nestboxes with an entrance hole of at least 45mm.

After choosing the nestbox you want to put up, you need to decide where to put it. Fix boxes for tits, sparrows or starlings two to five metres up a tree or wall, out of the reach of cats – and curious humans! Open-fronted boxes for robins and wrens need to be lowdown, well hidden in a bush, shrub or tree. Face the box between north and east, to avoid strong sunlight and the wettest winds. Tilt the box forward slightly so driving rain will hit the roof and bounce clear.

Visit rspb.org.uk/advice to learn more about nestboxes and how to help wildlife.