Small Open-fronted nest box

A variety of species may be attracted to an open-fronted nest box placed in a garden, the commonest of which will be Robin and Wren, although it could also be used by Pied Wagtail, Spotted Flycatcher and Black Redstart. 
The size and construction is similar to that for a small-hole nest box, except that the front will be a piece of wood 3.5 x 6 inches. This box too can be made from one 48 inch plank of timber, 6 inches wide, 0.75 inch thick. It is not necessary to hinge the roof as the box can be cleaned through the entrance hole. The floor should have small drainage holes drilled in it.


Nest box for small hole-nesting birds

Many garden and woodland birds nest in holes and may be attracted to a nest box. The particular species attracted will depend on its local distribution and population, and on the size of hole provided in the nest box. An entrance hole of 28 millimetres in diameter will admit Blue Tit, Great Tit, Coal Tit, Tree Sparrow and Pied Flycatcher; whereas a slightly larger hole of 32 millimetres in diameter will also attract House Sparrow, Nuthatch, and Lesser Spotted Woodpecker.

The roof should be hinged, for ease of cleaning out, either by a non-ferrous hinge and screws or by a rubber strip. The box may be screwed or nailed together, and small drainage holes should be drilled in the floor.

For large-hole nesting birds

Species such as Stock Dove, Jackdaw, Starling, Green Woodpecker and Great Spotted Woodpecker are all species which nest in holes, and a box of the following dimensions will meet their requirements. 
The design shows a rectangular entrance hole 6 x 4 inches, which is acceptable to Stock Dove, Jackdaw and Starling. For Woodpeckers it is better instead to have a front hole of 2 inches diameter (50 millimetres) for Great Spotted Woodpecker, and 2.5 inches (60 millimetres) for Green Woodpecker. For all Woodpeckers, the box should be packed with expanded polystyrene which they can excavate to make their nest.

The roof should be hinged, preferably with a strong brass hinge, so that new polystyrene may be put in each year. Drainage holes should be drilled in the floor. The box should have a stout batten (approximately 24 inches long, or 3 x 1 inches timber) screwed firmly to the back of nest box for mounting to a tree as high as possible in a secluded place.