National Nest Box Week -14th - 21st February 2017

What is national nest box week?

National Nest Box Week is an annual event that has been running for 20 years now. It is an integral part of the ornithological calendar. The aim of National Nest Box Week is to encourage the British population to put up nest boxes, as this will help breeding birds. This will, in turn, help promote the diversity and conservation of our wildlife and ensure our feathered friends don’t disappear.

When is national nest box week?

Valentine's Day is the befitting start of National Nest Box Week. So every year on the 14th to the 21st of February, thousands of people put up Nest Boxes in their garden, as this is typically a traditional date where birds pair up for the breeding season.

Why take part?

In today's world, many natural nest sites, like the crevices in buildings and trees are disappearing. This is largely due to the rapid rise of garden and home improvements, which have seen people “tidy” up their homes. Since Nest Box Week was launched in 1997, thousands of birding and nature enthusiasts have tried to compensate for the decline of these breeding spots by giving birds a home in their own gardens. Estimates currently stand at around 6 million for that amount of nest boxes in UK gardens. Absolutely anyone can take part! Whether you're a teacher, a family, or just a keen birder.

How to choose a Nest Box

Different types of boxes in your garden will attract different kinds of birds. Boxes with smaller holes will attract Great Tits, Blue Tits, House Sparrows and Nuthatches. Large boxes, however, will attract birds such as Woodpeckers and Starlings. This year, why not think about helping the House Sparrow, which is now Species of Conservation Concern. In years gone by, House Sparrows have found it difficult to find a suitable nesting spot. House Sparrows also breed in loose colonies, which is why our Traditional House Sparrow Nest Box is specifically designed so they are subdivided, so 3 pairs can nest close together.

Getting Involved

If you haven’t already got yourself a nest box, don’t fear! You still have a week left, which is even handier with our free next day delivery. Make sure you fly on over to have a browse through our fantastic nest box selection. If you already have a nest box, make sure you carry out some maintenance in preparation for when your feathered friends arrive!

8th Feb 2017 Kennedy Wild