It’s National Nest Box Week (NNBW) from 14-21 February and to celebrate we are running an event on Sunday called Nest Box and Bird Feeder Workshop. Run by the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO), NNBW aims to encourage everyone to put up nest boxes in their local area in order to promote and enhance biodiversity and conservation of our breeding birds and wildlife. Anyone can take part in NNBW and they are asking you to put up your nest box before the 21^st February but you can put up a box at any time of year.

You might think that birds have an abundance of places to nest however natural nest sites for birds such as holes in trees or old buildings are disappearing fast as gardens are ‘tidied’ and old houses repaired. Taking part in NNBW gives you the change to contribute to bird conservation whilst giving you the pleasure of observing any breeding birds that you attract to your nest box.

Of course you can make your own box, join us at our event or buy one from a reputable supplier, but please make sure your box is made from wood. Boxes made from plastic, metal or ceramic may look nice but they can be poorly insulated and can suffer from terrible condensation. The chicks may become overheated if the weather is warm and they could get damp and cold if condensation builds up inside the box.

It is also possible to sign up for the Nest Box Challenge with BTO where you can monitor your nest box and send them details of the birds that used it to allow them to gauge the breeding success of birds in green spaces. If you would like to join us at our event this Sunday please book by visiting www.TheFallsOfClyde.eventbrite.com.

Laura Preston – Falls of Clyde Ranger, Scottish Wildlife Trust
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