14th February 2026

Give Garden Birds a Home: Your Guide to Nest Boxes

With Valentine’s Day marking the start of National Nest Box Week, it’s the perfect time to give your local birds a safe place to raise their young. British birds are facing a serious housing shortage - tidy gardens, managed woodland, and modern buildings mean there are far fewer natural holes and sheltered spaces to nest. Even a single nest box in your garden can make a real difference.

Why Put Up a Nest Box?

Many common garden birds from Blue Tits and Great Tits to Robins and House Sparrows struggle to find suitable nesting sites. By putting up a nest box, you’re

• Giving birds a safe place to raise chicks
• Supporting your local wildlife and boosting biodiversity
• Enjoying the joy of watching birds build nests and raise young

Tip: Observing your birds in action is not only rewarding - it’s also a great way to relax and reduce stress!

Best Time to Put Up a Nest Box

There is never a bad time to put up a nest box, but for most UK garden birds, February to early March is ideal. Birds start looking for nesting sites in late winter, so putting your box up early gives them plenty of time to settle in before egg-laying begins.

Where to Position a Nest Box

• Choose a sheltered spot, ideally facing north or east to avoid the hottest afternoon sun.
• Keep the area quiet and undisturbed, but still visible so you can enjoy watching your feathered visitors
• Do not position near bird feeders. The bird traffic to the feeders will discourage nesting.
• Tilt the box forward slightly so any rain runs off.
• For common garden besting birds such as blue tits and great tits, position a nest box 1-5 metres above the ground to keep chicks safe from cats and other predators. See the table below for position heights of other common birds.

What Makes a Good Nest Box?

Sturdy, secure and easy to clean are the criteria for all the nest boxes we stock. Most are made of wood or woodcrete (a long-lasting combination of sawdust and concrete – we’ve known these boxes to last 30+ years!) and both materials provide excellent insulation properties. If opting for a wooden box, we recommend fitting a nest box protection plate for added security against predators.

We do not recommend nest boxes with perches, these just make it easier for predators to access the box.

Caring for Your Nest Box After the Breeding Season

Regular maintenance prevents parasites and ensures your birds have a safe, clean home each year: 

• Remove old nesting material after the breeding season (September-January).
• For tits you can empty the box as soon as the breeding has finished, other species may re-use the same nest so it’s best to wait till the Autumn.
• Wipe down with a mild, bird-safe disinfectant and wear gloves and a dust mask. A stiff bristle brush like an old toothbrush comes in handy here.
• Check for damage and repair before next season.

Pro Tip: Don’t delay the clean up too long, some birds may use the nest box for roosting on a cold winters night.

Why It’s Good for Us

Putting up a nest box isn’t just good for birds - it’s good for people too. Building, installing, and watching birds use your box is:

• Rewarding and educational
• A way to connect with nature
• A stress-buster Our Build Your Own Nest Box Kit is perfect for this, offering a hands-on way to create a home for wildlife while learning about your local birds.

Putting up a nest box is one of the simplest ways to make a positive impact on your local wildlife. Whether you’re looking to attract Blue Tits, Robins, or a mix of your garden’s regular visitors, a safe, well-positioned nest box can give birds a great start in life and bring a little joy into your garden too.

Birds That Prefer Small to Medium Sized Nest Box Entrance Holes

Bird Species	Entrance Hole Diameter	Box Height from Ground	Notes
Blue Tit	28 mm	1–5m	Keep flight path to entrance clear
Great Tit	32 mm	1–5m	Our largest tit species so requires a slightly larger hole. Keep flight path to entrance clear
Coal Tit	25-28 mm	1m	Often seeks out cavities at ground level but will also use nest boxes positioned low to the ground.
Tree Sparrow	28 mm	> 2m	Position two or more boxes so they can set up colonies
House Sparrow	32 mm	> 2m	Will nest in colonies. Position several boxes or use a specialist sparrow nest box.
Nuthatch	32 mm	>3m	Will often return in successive years. Keep clear flight path into nest box.
Starling	45 mm	2–4m	Will happily nest in close proximity
Great Spotted Woodpecker	50mm	3-6m	Can be encourage to use nestboxes with a lump of soft wood inside so that they can hollow out the nest cavity for themselves.

Birds That Prefer Big Nest Box Entrance Holes

Bird Species	Entrance Hole Diameter	Box Height from Ground	Notes
Tawny Owl	150 mm	3–6m	Box must be robust and high. Clear flight path required.
Stove Dove	150mm	3-6m	The only member of the pigeon family that’s likely to use a nestbox

Birds That Prefer Open-Fronted Nest Boxes

Bird Species	Entrance Hole Diameter	Box Height from Ground	Notes
Robin	Open-fronted	0.5–1.5m	Position in thick overhanging vegetation.
Wren	Open-fronted	1-4m	Will use open-fronted boxes for nesting and roosting. Position box well hidden in dense vegetation.

Birds With Specialist Nesting Requirements

Bird Species	Entrance Hole Diameter	Box Height from Ground	Notes
Barn Owl	Very big with special entrance	3–4m	Barn Owls are a Schedule 1 species, and it is illegal to look in nestboxes without a special licence.
Kestral	Very large open-fronted box with perching pole	3–5m	Boxes can be attached to the sides of buildings with clear flight path.
Swift	Oval-shaped hole	As high as possible on buildings	Needs a clear drop below entrance
House Martin	Specialist nest	Under the eaves of houses	Traditionallynesting in mud-made nests built under the eaves of houses
Swallow	Open cup nest	>3m	Swallows prefer open country, nesting in barns, derelict buildings and sheds.