Looking to attract more wildlife to your garden? Try installing a bird box!

Are you looking for ways to bring more wildlife into your garden or yard? Well, installing bird boxes and bat boxes is an easy and effective way to attract a variety of birds and bats to your home. Bird boxes and bat boxes provide a safe nesting and roosting space for birds and bats, Not only does that help increase local biodiversity, but it also encourages more wildlife to visit your garden.

We’ve something a little different for you this time around, so in this blog post, we’ll outline some of the benefits of installing bird boxes in home or garden and what to consider when choosing the right bird box for your home.

The benefits of installing a bird or bat box

The installation of a bird box in your garden or home offers a number of benefits, both for yourself and the local bird population. It helps maintain bird habitats at a time when natural habitats risk being destroyed.

A bird box is a great way to help conserve local species and attract more birds to your garden during migration and nesting seasons. By providing a safe and sheltered place for them to nest and raise their young, you are helping to create an ideal environment for their survival.

A bird box also provides a great opportunity for bird watching, as they give you a chance to observe bird behaviour up close. Watching birds can be incredibly relaxing, making it a great source of stress relief and it can also be an enjoyable activity for the whole family.

Installing a bird box will also help support the local ecology by increasing the local presence of insect-eating bird species. As many species of birds feed on insects and other small creatures, and having more of them around can help keep insect populations in balance. In turn, this can help reduce crop damage caused by insect pests.

Finally, installing a bird box can have a positive effect on your home’s landscaping. Not only will you get to enjoy more wildlife in your garden, but bird boxes can also provide an attractive feature for your landscape design.

The different types of bird boxes available

There are a variety of bird box designs on the market for you to choose from, with your choice depending on the species of birds you hope to attract. The most widely installed type of bird box is the open-fronted bird box, which provides a safe home for small hole-nesting birds.

These boxes typically have an opening at the front and feature a sloping roof to ensure that rainwater runs off. Open-fronted boxes can be hung in a variety of locations and should be situated in areas that face away from prevailing winds and the sun.

Another type of bird box is the owl box, which is specially designed to provide a safe nesting environment for owls. These boxes have a wide entrance to allow owls to fly into them and are usually positioned high up in trees. Owl boxes also have a sloping roof to keep rainwater out.

Bat boxes are another great way to attract wildlife to your garden. They are designed to provide a roosting place for bats and are best installed in an area that gets some shade during the day and direct sun for part of the day. They should be positioned at least three metres above the ground, preferably on the side of a building or a tree.

If you want a more permanent solution, or are in the middle of a renovation or new build project, you could consider installing a built-in bird or bat box. These boxes are designed to fit into the wall of your house or other structure and can provide a safe nesting area for birds and bats alike. Again, you should make sure the box is facing away from prevailing winds and direct sunlight in order to make it as comfortable as possible for bats.

Where should bird boxes be situated?

When it comes to installing bird boxes, the location is key for attracting wildlife. It is important to consider the species you want to attract, and what type of habitat they prefer. It is best to install bird boxes in sheltered places such as near trees, hedges and shrubs, as this provides protection from wind and rain. It is also advisable to put them out of reach of predators such as cats.

If you are looking to attract small birds to your home or outdoor space, it is best to mount the box 4-6 metres above the ground. For larger birds, 10-12 metres will give the best results. It is also recommended to face the entrance hole of the box away from prevailing winds and away from any buildings or roads, as this will ensure birds are able to take off safely.

Finally, make sure your bird box is installed securely, as this will prevent it from falling and becoming damaged. You can do this by nailing it to a wall or attaching it to a tree with screws.

With a few simple steps, you can easily create a safe and inviting environment for our winged friends!

What type of birds you can expect to see in your garden?

The UK is home to many different types of birds, some of which may be familiar and others less so. The most common type of birds that can be seen in UK gardens are blackbirds, blue tits, starlings, wood pigeons, collared doves, wrens, robins, house sparrows and great tits.

Other more unusual types of birds that can be found in UK gardens include chaffinches, greenfinches, goldfinches, long-tailed tits and coal tits.

If you have installed a bird box, you may also see other types of birds such as house martins, tree sparrows, song thrushes and spotted flycatchers visiting your garden. Depending on where you live, you may also be lucky enough to spot rarer birds such as owls, kingfishers, jays, barn owls and kestrels. By installing a bird box, you can help provide these birds with a safe and comfortable place to roost or nest in.

Summary

This blog post looked at some of the benefits of installing a bird box in your home. Or garden.  It explored the different types of bird boxes available, where they should be situated, and what type of birds you can expect to see in your garden.

Bird boxes provide a wonderful opportunity to bring more wildlife to your home and make a great addition to any garden. There’s never been a better time to help the environment, so why not give it a go and invite nature into your garden today?

Photo by Gavin Allanwood on Unsplash.