Bird Boxes

[Ric.ror]

Is it too late in the season to put a bird box in the pine tree in my garden?

[Tilly2]

Well, if it doesn't get used for breeding this year it may be used for roosting during the winter. Go ahead.

[paddywak]

It may be for this year,but put it up now and by next year the new smell will be gone and the birds will have probably had a good look at it and be used to it so that they're more likely to use it.

[Ric.ror]

Thanks Tilly
I've been inspired by springwatch

[Tilly2]

What sort of box are you putting up, Ric?

[dzug2]

Birds can take a while to accept the presence of a nesting box - so you may not get any lodgers this year but it will be there at the start of the season next year. And winter roosting too as tilly2 says

[sherrardk]

We got boy #2 a really nice bird box with a camera and audio (it was really cheap from Aldi), unfortunately it is still empty but it will be lovely when something starts to live in it.

[paddywak]

Forgot to mention ric that the entrance hole in the box determines which birds will use it. if you go to the site below and scroll down it tells you what size hole you need for different common garden birds
http://www.rspb.org.uk/advice/helpingbirds/nestboxes/smallbirds/making.aspx

[Ric.ror]

I saw a really pretty one in Next but I really fancy the one sherradk has mentioned with a camera
Is there one like this on eBay (the old standby)

[sherrardk]

Found this - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bird-Box-Mini-Bird-Camera-Colour-IR-Night-Vision-and-Audio-20m-CCTV-Cable-/161326000145?pt=UK_CCTV&hash=item258fc76811

Ours was originally £39.99 but it was reduced to £20.

[Ric.ror]

Thank you for all your advice

[welshlibranr]

I was told recently by an avid bird watcher that if you have bird boxes, they have to face East, otherwise the birds won't use them, I'm going to move mine and hope!......