Get ready for nesting time

If you did'nt get around to clearing out and cleaning your nestboxes in the Autumn, it needs to be done by the end of January. Clear out any old nesting material (a Bird Table Scraper is ideal) and unhatched eggs (it is only legal to remove old eggs between August and January) and destroy. Boiling water or Squeaky Clean should be used to clean your nestboxes and get rid of any parasites, they should then be left open to dry before placing them back in position.

Siting New Nestboxes

Place boxes for Tits, Sparrows and Starlings 2-4 metres above the ground on a wall, fence or tree if available. Unless shaded by foliage, make sure they are not in full sun (preverably north or east) and out of the prevailing wind. Boxes for Wrens and Robins can be placed below 2 metres in dense foliage. Cover plates can be used to prevent attacks by Woodpeckers. Sparrows like nesting in groups so put several boxes together or a Sparrow Terrace is ideal. Buy nest boxes....

RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch 29th and 30th January 2011

Don't forget to take part in this years Big Garden Birdwatch, it takes just an hour of your time and its great to get the kids involved too. Instructions on how to take part can be found on the RSPB site. Get ready by making sure your feeders are cleaned and filled up ready beforehand and remember a good variety of birdfood and birdfeeders means you are more likely to attract a larger range of birds.

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