Top tips for putting up your Quickdraw nest box

• Not too close to another nest box – Quickdraw nest boxes of the same type should not be sited too close together as this may promote aggressive behaviour between neighbouring birds. 
• Shelter your box from the weather – Our Quickdraw boxes have a slight overhanging roof to counter this problem but do be aware the front of the nest box can also be angled vertically or slightly downwards to prevent rain from entering the nest box. Make sure it is sheltered from prevailing wind, rain and strong sunlight.
• Height from the ground should be around 3 metres -  These small-hole boxes are best placed 1-3m above ground on tree trunks, but avoid sites where foliage/branches obscures the entrance hole - a clear flight path is important. If there are no trees in your garden, the next best option is to place your box on the side of a shed or wall. Care must be given to make sure the box isn’t easily accessible to predators. When fixed to trees the wider the variety of birds you may attract to it, including Wrens and Finches.
• Make sure cats cannot get into the box - ensure that it is not easily accessible to predators (cats and squirrels). 
• Keep nest box away from bird feeders - as high levels of activity of visiting birds could disturb nesting pairs.
• Use galvanized wire or stainless steel screws or nails that will not rust. If fixing boxes to trees, there is a hang hole on reverse of boxes which can be held by a simple screw or even galvanised wire can be used to tie the box to the trunk or hang it from a branch. Make sure to regularly inspect these fittings to ensure the box remains securely attached.
• Traditionally, nest boxes for small birds are put up in the spring - pairs of birds begin to prospect in the latter half of February and throughout March, so a box put up in this period stands a good chance of attracting nesting birds. However, it is never too early or late to put up a nest box, as some birds will use them to roost in during the winter months.
• Houses for house sparrows - our nest boxes with a 28mm - 32mm entrance hole fixed on the wall of a house are typically occupied by House Sparrows or Blue/Great  Tits.

How and when to clean out a garden bird nest box?

If you get a lovely sunny weekend in November, it’s a great time to get out into the garden and clean out your nest boxes. Bird Protection Law allows us to clear nests between 1^st September and 31^st January only. And if you do it then you provide yet another habitat because new birds may use the box to roost in over winter to stay dry and warm.

How do I clean out a nest box?

Firstly, don’t try to do it standing on a ladder! Get the box down from your wall, tree or fence post and place it somewhere you can get easy access to it – like your garden table. Then open up the box and before you take the nest out, it’s a really good idea to pop on a pair of gloves. The old nest could have mites on it which might give you a bite if they are still in there.

Why clear out a nest box?

Every year garden birds in our country like to make their own nests from scratch and don’t like to nest in the material gathered by others or in their old nests from the year before. They like to find their own new material and make their nest in the way they want it. So the best thing we can do once we know that the birds have definitely fledged and there’s no more chance of new birds nesting, is to provide a really clean environment for next spring.

Nests are made from whatever birds can find around your garden and the neighbouring area. That’s why it’s a good idea to leave out nesting material if you can during the spring. They especially like cat hair if you give your cat a good brush! As well as soft stuff like moss, grass and twigs. Different species of birds will have different nesting preferences in terms of what they choose and how they make their nest. That’s why it’s interesting to have a few different nest boxes in your garden. Then come the autumn you can compare the different sizes, shapes and make up of nest that they have made.

How to remove the nest

Try to pull the nest away in one piece. That way you will be able to see how the nest has been formed and the small depression where the birds have raised their young.

Children find this particularly intriguing, especially if they recognise things from their own garden inside. It’s a very good sign if the nest is dry and clean and doesn’t smell. That means your nest box worked well and your garden birds had healthy chicks.

How to clean the bird box

When the nest has been removed, it’s best to give the inside of the box a thorough clean. You could use an old toothbrush or small soft brush.

If you do find mould or muck, or you’ve realised that birds didn’t nest in the box over the spring and instead you’ve found lots of spiders or bugs inside – then use diluted eco-friendly washing up liquid, together with very hot water

The good thing about doing this in the autumn is that the box is then clean and ready to use as shelter over winter. If you choose to do it later in the winter though, that’s no problem as it means there was no chance of debris building up and it’s ready to go for spring.