Nesting boxes side house

IHateWeeding

Considering adding 1 or 2 nesting boxes to the shaded out of the weather side of our house.

Not sure what to go for or even if it's a good idea am thinking larger amounts of bird poo in our small back garden.

Can I add 2 boxes to a small space?

Should they be different to attract different species (is territory an issue)?

Should I be looking for anything in terms of wood treatment, quality etc? 

Dovefromabove

You can get ‘terraced’ nestboxes for birds that prefer to nest in communities … the red listed endangered house sparrows like to live with neighbours. 

https://shopping.rspb.org.uk/bird-feeders-boxes-tables/bird-houses-nest-boxes/garden-bird-nest-boxes/rspb-sparrow-terrace-nest-box.html

You’re right in thinking that most other breeds are more territorial and will chase off other birds in the vicinity of their nest. 

wild edges

Bird poo is good for the garden though if you can encourage them to perch away from places you need to keep clean.

I've tried two boxes on the side of my house facing North-east and only one ever gets used. The great tits use it every year and don't tolerate neighbours. I'll be moving the one box to a new location this winter. As Dove says sparrows are supposed to be fine nesting next door to each other but they do fine here spread out around the neighbourhood.

For box material you can't go wrong with woodcrete/woodstone and there's some really nice affordable ones now like the Vivara Pros https://www.wildcare.co.uk/vivara-pro-woodstone-nest-box-11241-g.html  If you're mounting it to a wall just make sure you get one with a flat back.

Ergates

We have a small wooden bird box mounted at shoulder height on the east facing side of the house. It’s been used by wrens and other years, by blue tits. We have two other boxes on the north eastern trunks of a couple of trees, only one has ever been used, probably too near each other.
The box on the wall was positioned there after wrens nested in the adjacent garden hose tidy. We had to buy a replacement hose that year because we couldn’t use the original one until the chicks had fledged!

Redwing

Dovefromabove said:

You’re right in thinking that most other breeds are more territorial and will chase off other birds in the vicinity of their nest. 

Species, not breeds.

Dovefromabove

Redwing said:

Dovefromabove said:

You’re right in thinking that most other breeds are more territorial and will chase off other birds in the vicinity of their nest. 

Species, not breeds.

Yes you’re correct of course … my mistake … memo to self … must concentrate on what I’m doing 🙄 

Fire

we know what you meant

IHateWeeding

Thanks all will buy the terraced style and see what happens.

Fairygirl

Fire said:

we know what you meant

Indeed.

Redwing

Fire said:

we know what you meant

That may be true but if giving wildlife advice  the correct terminology should be used, IMO. "Breed" refers to specific breeding of a species, for example a Labrador or a collie dog. 

wild edges

I've had very few Labradors using my nest boxes. Always best to manage expectations.