Budding ornithologists will be all too familiar with the joy of spotting a small bird flitting around the garden. The delicate creatures are undeniably wholesome to watch, particularly when hopping from twig to branch or enjoying a spritz in a bird bath.
If you want to take it a step further to ensure your feathered friend’s experience in your garden is top-notch, then treat them to a bird box. Bird boxes provide a safe place for birds to rest and nest.
Bird boxes, also known as nest boxes, are typically put up during the autumn for birds to use during the colder months. Whether roosting, feeding or relaxing, birds will often return to their enclaves the following spring, meaning you want their set-up to be as secure as possible.
Where should I put my bird box?
Location is key when it comes to placing a bird box. The bird box should be positioned approximately 2.5-5m off the ground and angled forward a touch so that rain can’t drip into it. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds recommends that you place the box under the eaves of your house (where the walls meet the roof) or high on a garden wall, out of reach from cats or foxes.
Find a bird-friendly spot away from direct sunlight and busy pathways. Make a clear flight path to the box so that your winged pals have a smooth landing into their new abodes. Once the box has been erected, leave it be and wait for curious visitors to arrive.
What materials should my bird box be made from?
When browsing bird box options, be sure to pick an option crafted from the correct wood. You want a nice, thick bird box to insulate your tenant and stop the box from warping. Hardwoods such as oak, beech and pinewood are recommended, but the latter will deteriorate more quickly when faced with harsher conditions.
You can also customise your bird box. This makes for a fun family activity, but be sure to use non-toxic, water-based paints.
Discover the best bird boxes to home your new neighbours and welcome a new wave of wildlife into your flourishing garden. Time to be the hostess with the mostest.Shop now
Toast Veta Vera Grass Bird Nester
Handwoven from Veta Vera grass in Ghana, Toast’s beautiful bird nester will effortlessly enhance the landscape of your home. The curved piece is finished with a loop for hanging from branches in a sheltered position and showcases a small point of entry for birds to come and go as they please.
Buy now £59.00, Toast
Twenty-Seven Personalised Wooden Garden Bird Nest Box
Gift a green-fingered friend or family member a personalised bird box for all to enjoy. Available in sage green or pale pink, the box can be customised with a thoughtful note of your penning.
Buy now £44.00, NOTHS
RSPB Lodge Nest Box Classic Apex
Support The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and browse its online collection of tasteful bird boxes. The nest boxes are suitable for a variety of garden birds and are made in the UK from timber in two styles. This pointed creation with a pistachio accent is a subtle yet chic choice for your garden.
Buy now £26.00, RSPB
Maison & White Store Dewdrop Bird Nest Box
Play host in the utmost style with a tear-drop shaped bird box in a fresh mint colourway. This attractive pick will be home to a range of critters from birds to butterflies, cultivating a myriad of blooming ecosystems.
Buy now £9.99, Amazon
Dunelm Bird Box
Keep your search short and sweet with a classic bird box. Designed in collaboration with the Natural History Museum, this black-roofed box is made from high-quality untreated, FSC-certified pine wood and has a non-toxic painted finish. A 25mm bird box hole is suitable for blue, coal or marsh tits.
Buy now £16.00, Dunelm
Lindleywood Personalised Tennis Club Bird Box
Hands down the most creative bird boxes around, Lindleywood’s collection is not to be missed. Choose from an array of trivial yet elegant designs from sports clubs to Western-style salons and gift your birds the most lavish of boltholes.
Buy now £55.20, NOTHS
National Trust Handmade Bird Nest House
Inject some bohemian flair into your plot with a tear-shaped house in an array of eye-catching colours. The Fair Trade Bird Nester has a sturdy inner frame to ensure your birds are safe at home, while a protruding entrance makes it easy for them to land and perch.
The handmade item comprises natural seagrass and recycled saris, meaning each nester is unique in colour.
Buy now £20.00, National Trust
Wildlife World Bempton Bird Table
Wildlife World’s Hanging Bempton is a best-seller for a reason. The product is handmade from FSC-certified timber from sustainably managed forests and boasts decorative woodwork in a painted mint-green finish. Marvel at the covetable copper roof and use the natural rope for hanging in an appropriate space.
Buy now £35.70, Amazon
Robert Dyas St Helens Wood Bird House
Featuring a dark forest green to blend with the garden greenery, this pocket-friendly birdhouse is a subtle buy. A 30mm entryway hold will accommodate blue tits, coal tits, marsh tits, tree sparrows and many other garden birds. Mount yours on a wall out of harsh sunlight and away from any hustle and bustle.
Buy now £13.99, Robert Dyas
Wildlife World Simon King Curve Cavity Nest Box
Prefer to maintain a more contemporary gardenscape? The Wildlife World Simon King Curve Cavity Nest Box is a modern alternative to the traditional birdhouse. A curved entry hole mirrors the natural silhouette of a tree hollow, making it ideal for small species including tits, sparrows and flycatchers.
Buy now £29.99, Robert Dyas
