It's not often known that hole sizes play a huge part in attracting certain species to your garden.
Think of it as a doorway into your home, if it's too small, you won't be able to get in. Nest Boxes work in the same way, with hole sizes only allowing certain types of small birds inside to keep larger predators out! Check out our graphics below and learn more about which birds fits which hole size...
Blue Tits and Coal Tits
For these species, a nest box with a small circular hole of 28mm is best. You should mount the box between 2 and 4 metres off of the ground - preferably on a wall or tree. Ideally, face the box between North and East to avoid the wet and sun. Tilt the box forward slightly when you hang it so that the roof can keep the rain out.
Nest boxes for blue tits & coal tits
"Blue Tits are real woodland specialists, and excel at feeding in the upper branches of trees and shrubs, often hanging upside down."
Great Tit, Tree Sparrow and many more
These species are slightly larger, so they need a nest box with a 32mm hole. You should also mount these box between 2 and 4 metres from the ground - preferably on a wall or tree. Ideally, face the box between North and East to avoid the wet and sun. Tilt the box forward slightly when you hang it so that the roof can keep the rain out.
Range for great tits, tree sparrows & others
Robin, Wren, Blackbird and more
Black Redstart, Robin, Spotted Flycatcher, Wren, Blackbird and Pied Wagtail For these species, you need an open fronted nest box and it needs to be hung lower - 1-2 metres is best. They also like it to be amongst some natural cover but the flight path cannot be blocked. Ideally, face the box between North and East to avoid the wet and sun. Tilt the box forward slightly when you hang it so that the roof can keep the rain out.
Nest boxes for robins, wrens, blackbirds & more
"The tame nature of the robin allows often allows for unique close encounters. "
Starlings
For Starlings, you need a nest box with a 45mm hole. You should mount the box at least 3m off of the ground - preferably on a wall or tree. Ideally, face the box between North and East to avoid the wet and sun. Tilt the box forward slightly when you hang it so that the roof can keep the rain out.
Starling Nest Box with Balcony
House Martins
House Martins are quite unique and build nests in the eaves of buildings - often in colonies averaging 5 nests. Therefore you need a specific nest box that can be mounted at the top of the wall just under the roof. We have a range of house-martin nest boxes - the more you mount the higher the chance of a colony nesting!
Browse house martin nest box range
"House Martins are the birds with white rumps that build mud nests on the eaves of buildings often in colonies averaging five nests."
Swifts and Swallows
A lack of suitable nesting sites is the main reason for the decline in Swift populations. Our Woodstone Swift Nest Box cam be mounted on a wall or built into it - but it must be at least 5 metres off the ground with a clear flight path. Do not face it South. Swallows are also struggling from a lack of nesting sites. Our bespoke Nest Box should be sited within an enclosed area such as a porch or outbuilding. The birds need easy access via an open door or window. We suggest a minimum distance of 1 metre between nests and at least 6cm of free space above it.
Nest box range for swifts & swallows
Woodpeckers
Woodpeckers like to enlarge the hole of a nest to make it suitable for them - this nest box has been designed to give them the chance to do this. It should be sited at a height of 2-3 metres from the ground and you can also line the box with a layer of forest soil or peat. This nest box can be mounted on a tree or one the wall of a building.
View Woodpecker Nest Box
