Page 46 - 2021 Almanac
P. 46
If you are going to make a nest box, you should complete it and hang it up early in March so that it is ready for the birds to start making their nest inside.
Nest boxes should always be made from wood. Metal and plastic are not good materials to use as they may mean that the nest will overheat or get wet and this will harm the eggs and the chicks. It is important that the inside of the box doesn’t get too cold either.
You will need:
Short planks of strong wood, at least 15 mm thick (oak or beech is best as pine is rather soft and doesn’t last as long)
Saw
Stainless steel nails (not glue – nails allow water to drain out of the box)
Hammer
Waterproof hinge for the lid (see page 45) Helpful grown-up!
Follow the diagram below:
Make sure your grown-up drills a few holes in the base of your box so that any rain that does get in can drain out quickly.
250 mm 200 mm 200 mm
150 mm
150 mm
350 mm
150 mm
1300 mm
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