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Best location for a bid box?

zugeniezugenie Posts: 715
in Wildlife gardening
I know it’s a little late for this year but I’d like to have it in place, I’m just not sure where exactly to put my birdboxes!

I have a wall that faces every aspect, I’ve done a little sketch to help


Big rectangle is the house and little rectangle is the garage. Wall D is alongside the drive so lots of car and foot traffic. B is a wide side alley down the side of the house, it’s west facing but there is nothing obstructing the southern direction so also gets sun from that aspect. My personal thought for location is B as we don’t use it regularly, but I was worried it would be too hot with the evening sun? Back of the house and garage are both north facing. Any advice welcome, I’m hoping to put a box up for the tits!
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Posts

  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 33,745
    Not in direct sunshine in the hottest part of the day, easy sight lines so they can access  / enter without problems.
    Devon.
  • LG_LG_ Posts: 4,063
    It depends on which kind of box and which birds - for tits, this is the RSPB advice, from https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/advice/how-you-can-help-birds/nestboxes/nestboxes-for-small-birds/making-and-placing-a-bird-box/


    'If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.'
    - Cicero
  • zugeniezugenie Posts: 715
    It’s just a regular wooden bird box, with a hole not open fronted

    so back of the house would be best then?
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 82,767
    I'd put it on the back of the garage ... that's the sort of spot where we've got one that gets well used.  I would imagine that as well as being north facing, which is good, it'll also be a bit more secluded for the birds.
    “I am not lost, for I know where I am. But however, where I am may be lost.” Winnie the Pooh







  • zugeniezugenie Posts: 715
    Dovefromabove said:
    I'd put it on the back of the garage ... that's the sort of spot where we've got one that gets well used.  I would imagine that as well as being north facing, which is good, it'll also be a bit more secluded for the birds.
    I was considering that but the compost bin and water butts are there so I didn’t know if that would put them off!
  • zugeniezugenie Posts: 715
    Update, I put the bird box on wall C in the end, and we have blue tits nesting in it! I am beyond thrilled, I thought for sure it was up too late to have anyone in it this year! I can hear the babies cheeping for their food now which is so exciting! I will be getting a metal plate for it once they’ve fledged.



    We have quite deep eaves so I don’t actually think the rain gets on it at all!
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 50,304
    Smashing @zugenie :)
    'Mine' are in the conifer at the back boundary. It's like being a new mother again - worrying about them all the time!
    I got one of those plates too, and will fix it later in the year. They were already investigating the box so I didn't want to put them off, but when those ruddy squirrels started gnawing at the entrance recently, I regretted not just doing it at the time. Fortunately, and much as I hate to say it, I was pleased when the chap along the road put peanuts out for them - it kept them away.  ;)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • zugeniezugenie Posts: 715
    @Fairygirl I caught a starling sitting on the gutter eyeing it up so I ran out and scared it off, hopefully the presence of an unhinged lady will keep them away 😆
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 50,304
    I had a woodpecker checking it out quite early on. We do have them around here, but it's very unusual for them to be in the garden, as they've no need to come in for food - plenty of it nearby, and plenty of trees for them too.
    I suppose they realise it's easy pickings if they can get in. 

    I'm sure no one really thinks you're unhinged @zugenie.... :D
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • alexryzawlskiqBU-X4OFalexryzawlskiqBU-X4OF Posts: 143
    zugenie said:
    Update, I put the bird box on wall C in the end, and we have blue tits nesting in it! I am beyond thrilled, I thought for sure it was up too late to have anyone in it this year! I can hear the babies cheeping for their food now which is so exciting! I will be getting a metal plate for it once they’ve fledged.



    We have quite deep eaves so I don’t actually think the rain gets on it at all!

    Wow! They're very late... Did they even build a nest? A lot of blue tits in my area fledged nearly a week ago.
    Happy Gardening
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