The oval holes tend to allow for a greater range of bird species but it does risk the smaller birds getting bullied out of a nesting spot by the larger birds. The oval hole lets a bit more light in too as the parent doesn't totally block the hole when they go in and out. My most popular box has three holes so it's much better for light levels and ventilation. I wish I could afford more of those but they've become very expensive recently. If you have four boxes then go for a range of styles with one having the smallest hole they supply and that should keep everyone happy.
I used to get discount codes from the GW magazine. There are member's codes for a couple of bird food companies that sell boxes. I'm not a member anymore though so I don't know. Otherwise some companies give a 10% code if you sign up to their newsletter or similar.
If you can keep your head, while those around you are losing theirs, you may not have grasped the seriousness of the situation.
I could try putting a box over the downstairs bathroom window which faces North, with no other doors or windows in the back of thecottage, otherwise, it is a South-facing fence, along the top of a steep slope, or the front of the shed, because of the shape, location, and layout of my plot. ( An elongated triangle in the middle of nowhere, between 2 fields.) I must admit I like to sit in the conservatory and watch the comings and goings on the feeders and also the boxes. A robin has eventually plucked up enough courage to start visiting the "stick on the window" feeder. The worse large bird coming to me are jays, they fill their beaks with suet fat ball, take it away to their cache, and are back within a couple of minutes for more.
I always think I'll put some boxes up, but I never do.. mainly because my garden is tiny, and there are constant birds in it - including magpies and jackdaws, and I don't want to give them any opportunity to scare little birds off, or get their young. They have tons of nest sites around here though, and enough moss from my lawns to line them for about 500 generations. 😄
@wild edges, thank you for the info, that's helpful. I've already put the word out to family that my dickie birds need new homes. I even kindly sent them a link Well they always ask what I would like for my birthday.
@MikeOxgreen have you got any photos of your 'gothic charm' ones? They sound pretty cool!
Yes of course, here you go. The first two are as they are when made, They're purposely left bare so they mellow with age, get some patina (rust!) and blend in. They're hand made and I make sure there are no pieces touching which harbour water, if they can drain and dry they last a lot longer. If water is trapped (on wood or metal) it causes it to decay. I've worked with metal and wood all of my working life so know it quite well. The few birds we have here are liking feeding from it at the moment.
Oh wow! There are some very clever people around. They are lovely. The wooden ones rot quickly here because of the high rainfall. I did buy a wooden one with a waterproof roof which did last much longer than the bog standard ones I have just thrown out.
I made mine out of a cedar fence board, which is naturally rot-resistant. My dad tops his with an old license plate as a roof for extra protection, but UK plates are not proportioned well for that use.
The RSPB have given a 15% discount code for big garden bird watch results. They list a woodcrete Schwegler 1B nest box for £40 so if you buy two you can get them for £33 each with free delivery. I don't know how that compares to other places though.
If you can keep your head, while those around you are losing theirs, you may not have grasped the seriousness of the situation.
@MikeOxgreen I love those! They do look good when they're aged don't they? I found a photo yesterday of my little feeding 'house' when I'd just made it - the wood is now all aged and has green bits, it looks so much better. Great view you have there too!
Posts
I must admit I like to sit in the conservatory and watch the comings and goings on the feeders and also the boxes. A robin has eventually plucked up enough courage to start visiting the "stick on the window" feeder.
The worse large bird coming to me are jays, they fill their beaks with suet fat ball, take it away to their cache, and are back within a couple of minutes for more.
Well they always ask what I would like for my birthday.
The few birds we have here are liking feeding from it at the moment.
The wooden ones rot quickly here because of the high rainfall. I did buy a wooden one with a waterproof roof which did last much longer than the bog standard ones I have just thrown out.
I found a photo yesterday of my little feeding 'house' when I'd just made it - the wood is now all aged and has green bits, it looks so much better.
Great view you have there too!