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Description

Build a bird box from wood with Dads for Fathers day.

Resources

Plank of 12mm exterior ply wood (150mm x 1500mm), 20 x 2.5cm nails, 3 x 2.5 self tapping screws, electric drill, wood drill bit, wide drill bit, sand paper, hammer, screwdriver, wood saw, tape measure and pencil.

Instructions

Taken from http://www.beautifulbritain.co.uk/htm/wildlife_gardening/bird_box.htm

Please check that any plywood you use for your bird boxes comes from FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) sources. FSC certified tropical hardwood plywood ensures that the use of the material will not damage forests, harm wildlife or jeopardise the future of people whose lives depend on the forests. An easiliy available source would be B&Q as B&Q (UK) announced that from September 2009 it would only buy Forest Stewardship Council timber and that the FSC label would be on the timber product.

The bird box dimensions shown here are very similar to those recommended by the RSPB. These nest boxes are suitable for small birds such as blue tit / great tit.

Bird boxes were made using 12mm exterior ply wood. The roof dimensions allow for an overhang at the sides and front to let water drain away and to keep the interior dry.

Make sure that the entrance hole is at least 12.5 cm from the floor of the box to keep the young chicks safe from predators. A hole diameter of 25 mm will allow blue tits, coal tits and marsh tits to enter the box. Use 28 mm for great tits and 32 mm for house sparrows, tree sparrows and nuthatches.

Water based preservatives may be used on the outside of the box only. Keep any preservative away from the entrance hole, as birds often tap this regularly with their beak before deciding whether to occupy.

Drill a couple of small holes in the base to keep the nest dry.

Hang the box at least two metres off the ground, preferably between north and east to avoid strong sunlight. If fixing the nestbox to a tree it's preferable to use thick wire on the hangers rather than fixing with nails. If you find the birds pecking at the entrance hole, it does not mean that the hole is too small. Do not inspect the nest box when in use, as the parents may desert the eggs or chicks.

Alternative Method at RSPB
https://www.rspb.org.uk/fun-and-learning/for-families/family-wild-challenge/activities/build-a-birdbox/
Plus https://www.birdspot.co.uk/bird-boxes/painting-a-bird-box

Tags

• birds
• Build
• community
• creative
• creativity
• design
• DIY
• Natural
• Nature
• skills
• winter

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