The Challenge
Important information – This activity MUST be carried out with a responsible adult.
What do you need?
Steps
1. Measure and cut your wood according to the diagram
2. Put small drainage holes in the base to help stop the box getting damp inside.
3. Nail all the panels, except the roof, together. The sides, back and front ‘wrap around’ the base.
4. Attach the roof with screws, so that you can get back into the box to clean it in the autumn.
5. Use the waterproof strip to make a hinge between the top edge of the roof and the back board. You could use a bicycle tyre inner tube, damp-proof membrane or roofing felt.
6. If you are using softwood, you could paint it with water-based wood preservative. If you do this, it is important to paint only the outside of the box and not paint around the entrance hole. Make sure to dry and air the box thoroughly before putting it up.
Where to put your Nestbox?
- On trees, walls or fences.
- Unless shaded by buildings and trees in the day, Nestboxes should face between north and east to avoid strong sunlight and wet winds.
- Check there is a clear flight path to the entrance.
- Great Tits and Blue Tits like it to be two to four metres up a tree or wall.
- Robins and Wrens like it to be less than two metres off the ground and hidden in vegetation.
- Sparrows and Starlings like to be high up under eaves – two or three can be spaced out on the side of a building.
