The bird boxes are intended for different garden and wild fowl. A little over one third of the birds nesting at our latitudes chose hollows for nesting. What kind of bird you will attract – that depends on bird occurrence and suitable living and feeding conditions, as well as the bird box size.

The bird box dimensions and further guidance for installation are defined in cooperation with ornithologists and bird experts. However the key is to make bird boxes in such way they would be like natural hollows in their construction and appearance. Hollows in nature do not appear on they own and always of the same size. If birds would choose only hollows of exact dimensions, they would limit chances of their own species to reproduce. Birds are chance seekers who possess good ability of adaption. Therefore descriptions on suitability of a bird box for particular bird species that would probably nest here are based on sound practice paying attention on nesting safety.

You must carefully choose the bird species you wish to attract. First of all, you have to get acquainted with bird nesting habits and identify existence of appropriate biotopes. Proper location, height and position towards cardinal directions of the bird box are very important factors. The guide for bird friend will help you to find out all necessary information on suitable bird box parameters for bird species and their occurrence in your region.

 

 

     

 

Importance of nesting place 

Putting up a bird box is not only enjoyable event for us; it is also substantial help for birds. Suitable nesting places – natural hollows in gardens, urban parks or forests may be too few. Bird boxes allow nesting in places where it is easy to find food but these places lack nesting trees. If we think of practical benefit, then you should know that birds eat different insects or so called garden or forest pests. However the young generation benefit probably will benefit the most as watching birds around the bird box might be an indirect yet important part of environmental education.

  

 

When to put up the bird box?

You must know the exact time when birds return and put up the box before they have returned. However some of the hollow-nesting birds are sedentary birds and can be seen around the nesting place all year round. For instance, different tit species are looking for territory to occupy already in winter. Therefore it is rather smart to put up a bird box at the end of autumn or in winter or no later than in early spring so that a bird could get to know the box in good time.

  

 

Where to put up the bird box? 

No place is unsuitable for placing a bird box as long as there are birds in the surrounding. However, you should choose the best possible.

The main criteria regarding a place to choose are safety and possible protection against bad weather. Another factor to not overdo is the possibility to watch the birds around the bird box if it is placed near your home. In order to attract the grey tit is to put up the bird box as low as possible and near thick bushes and natural birch box is perfect for this particular bird species. You should definitely find out whether some population of this bird species occur in the neighbourhood to attract for nesting in your bird box.

If you have several bird boxes, put up them at different height, trees and point the entrance towards different directions. The preferable height may be one and a half meter and more but it may be related to safety reasons as well. Pay attention to prevent cats, martens or weasels from reaching the bird box. And don’t forget about your own safety while you put up or control the bird box.

The entrance directions is not of crucial importance, however you must take steps to prevent the entrance from prevailing winds, rain and direct sunlight. The direction towards north, east or south-east might be the best. Yet, different reasons have to be observed in a shady forest, for example, sloping log which can help to avoid rain if properly used. Possibility to fly up to the bird box is important – no huge branches and other hindrances may cover the direct entrance. Some bushes or another tree in the surroundings to fly in or hide are particularly important for the small birds so that the nesting tree is not completely separate.

 

    

 

Installation and maintenance (servicing) of the bird box 

No complex tools are needed to install the bird box, and daily household tools can be used for this reason. The bird box needs no special preparation. Take it out of the packaging and it ready to be put up in nature.

The bird box must be cleaned once a year to avoid different bird parasites that could hinder the nesting. The lifting cover is perfectly suited for such purpose. The cleaning should be carried out two-three weeks after they have taken out the chicks to avoid possibility to destroy the next hatching (or hatching of new species, as it is in case of swifts that often nest in the same bird box after the starlings are done with their nesting). Some use the insecticide pyrethrum powder after cleaning – but take care it has no lasting influence and contains no compounds hazardous to birds.

It is recommended to put some soft nest material before the first installation of the bird box, as well as the first cleaning. Usually it is coarse saw dust or some pieces of dry wood bark. It makes the artificial nest more attractive. It is also recommended to check the bird box fixing before nesting season in early spring.

Dear, bird friend! 

You can meet the following nesting birds in our bird boxes:

Large Birch log Bird Nest Box 45 mm Hole is suitable for the following bird species:

 

 

 

Small Birch log Bird Nest   35 mm Hole is suitable for the following bird species: