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Bird Box
NewBoy2
Posts: 1,813
I have a bird box and it faces South.
A friend says it should be positioned so the sun does not make the chicks over heat and die in Spring / Summer
? Any thoughts please
Everyone is just trying to be Happy.....So lets help Them.
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They are best facing between between north and east avoiding direct sun light accordng to the RSPB. That is the position ours have been placed, and the sun is always behind the boxes not shining directly on them. the website has lots of useful information regarding nest boxes, well worth a visit.
Can I ask a supplementary question? I've read on rspb and bto websites that boxes "shouldn't be too close together" but it's not clear how close is " too close".
Any ideas?
Thanks Pansyface. I knew you'd know.
Just have to find places for them. I put one up the other day, Hubby said "you'll never get anything nesting in there" 2 days later a wee blue tit was sussing it out.
Another question, sorry new boy 2, the websites all say 25mm holes for blue tits, but they look tiny. Is that really right?
If he looks like this, he's got nae chance of getting in Hosta!
They're really tiny - 25mm is plenty big enough
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Nest boxes should face east to north unless in shade for most of the day, say under a tree or in the shade of buildings they could have other aspects. If in sun most of the day the chicks would overheat. There should also be a clear flight line. Overhanging foliage and the tits won't like it. Holes for Blue Tits should be 25mm or bigger and for Great Tits and Sparrows 28-35mm. Closeness to each other is relative....... I have had them as close as 10-15m apart but it really depends on the relative abundance of a food supply. Obviously on a housing estate if everyone had a tit box on their house they would not all be used, just not enough available food. RSPB and BTO give the best advice; check out their websites.
Also best to get the boxes up about now as they will be prospecting. They won't get serious until April but will claim a good nest site from now on.
Last edited: 07 February 2017 20:27:07
I am going to put up bird boxes - https://www.bto.org/about-birds/nnbw
So I am making sure I get the boxes up soon - want to have some birds using the boxes this year, so moving them around
My sparrow terrace has been up for 5 years and not been cleaned out as it is in an awkward position (facing east under the house eaves).
I had someone yesterday get up there to take it down but a sparrow flew out and made him jump so much he nearly fell off the ladder!!
Needless to say we have left the box well alone so now hoping for lots of nesting activity and the box will have to wait till the autumn for a good clean!
Ive moved it so it faces away from the sun
A blue tit was investigating 2 days ago so I hope he / she can now find it
Its on a fence post 5 foot above the patio with a clear flight path and no over hanging foliage
Thanks friends as usual
Madpenguin that must of been a shock hope the bird moves in
Do you think it will be ok for a nest box with hole in to go on a fence post which did not get cut shorter facing the west?
I want a bird to check out the houses that quick that every one else is getting
Put up two of my nest boxes in garden today one for robins and one with a hole in - wanting some birds in them this year
Any one any advice on my question above in post a few days ago?
Do you think it will be ok for a nest box with hole in to go on a fence post which did not get cut shorter facing the west?
Here is some pictures to help explain my question tall post in middle
Sun does go behind the trees for main part of day