Bird nest boxes in urban and rural gardens have provided needed shelter for birds for many years. Nature Reserves usually have an abundance of different size bird nest boxes to accommodate the wide variety of bird life that is attracted to their sites.

Habitat, an adequate food and water supply play a large role in attracting wildlife, but once they are there the time will come when they looking for nesting sites that provide dry safe protection for their young.

Bird nest boxes are an economical way to provide what birds need at this important time of their life cycle.

Shelter is the key reason.

Safety is also a factor and not to be forgotten Comfort.

The construction of the nesting boxes and where we site each box should take all these factors into consideration.

As birds will not only use the nest box for nesting, but often use the boxes in winter to roost in, we need to avoid extreme temperatures. Too cold a position will more than likely mean the box won't be used for nesting or roosting.

An adequate nearby supply of food and water is also a big plus in helping the parents to not only meet the challenges they face in rearing their young but also surviving the winter.

Nesting boxes are a real asset in the wildlife garden.