Households with a garden have been urged to make one addition to their outside spaces before spring. Birds need a little extra helping hand as they prepare to bid farewell to winter, and you can use this time to show them some love.
Many of us enjoy watching birds come and go in our gardens, but one thing can make them stay for much longer. The RSPB recommend adding a simple nest box to your outdoor space. It is the easiest way you can help birds, according to the conservation charity.
Simply putting up a nest box can help attract birds to your garden and give them a place to rest. Next week is National Nest Box Week, so it is a great time to invest in one.
Nest boxes are typically £10 to £20 but can be found for less online. The RPSB explained: “Putting out bird food is great, but if birds don’t have access to nesting sites, they won’t have anywhere to raise the next generation.
“It’s also key that the nest sites are nearby to foraging locations, where they can find plenty of invertebrates without leaving the nest for too long.”
The boxes typically feature a small entrance hold that’s just about big enough for small birds to squeeze through. It means nothing larger can reach them and ensure they are protected from the elements.
Choosing a nest box can also help specific birds. The RSPB said: “Although Swifts aren’t due back until late April, these are birds badly in need of a helping hand.
“Between 1995 and 2021, numbers plummeted by 62% in the UK, with a lack of suitable nest sites a contributing factor.
Starling numbers have dropped in recent years, but they also like nest boxes. Robins prefer open-front nest boxes, where instead of a entrance hole, the front is cut in half.
Whatever one you pick, you need to make sure they are cleaned out in the autumn. It’s best to do this in September as long as the nest is no longer active.
Now that we are approaching spring, it is best to leave the nest boxes alone so you don’t disturb the birds.
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