Putting up nest boxes for birds
Whether you’re a family with space for a box in your garden, a teacher, a member of a local wildlife group, or you belong to a bird club and could organise a work party, putting up nest boxes gives you the chance to contribute to the conservation effort in the UK whilst giving you the pleasure of observing any breeding birds that you attract to your garden or green space. Learn about building, buying and siting boxes, and which box suites what species.


Why put up a nest box?
Natural nest sites for birds such as holes in trees or old buildings are disappearing fast as gardens are ‘tidied’ and old houses are repaired. Providing nesting sites for breeding birds in your garden gives you the fascinating experience of watching a key part of the lifecycle of birds happening close at hand. Choose from the options below to find the right nest box for the right place.
Which birds use nest boxes?
our essential guide
Small nest box with hole

Blue Tit

Coal Tit

Great Tit

House Sparrow

Marsh Tit

Nuthatch

Pied Flycatcher

Redstart

Tree Sparrow

Willow Tit
Open-fronted nest box

Pied Wagtail

Robin

Spotted Flycatcher
Medium nest box with oval-shaped hole

Swift
Large nest box with hole

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Little Owl

Starling
Very big nest box

Barn Owl

Jackdaw

Kestrel

Stock Dove

Tawny Owl
Nest Boxes: Your Complete Guide
If you want to know more, try our in-depth book. Written by Dave Cromack and drawing on the BTO's expertise, this new book provides the perfect guide to building, erecting and monitoring nest boxes for a broad range of bird species.
Find out more and buy today
Share this page