How to Get the Best Chance of Visitors

Having nest boxes in your garden can be incredibly rewarding. There’s something genuinely special about knowing you’ve provided a safe place for birds to nest and raise their chicks — and it’s one of the simplest ways to make your garden more wildlife-friendly.

The trick is getting the positioning right. A well-sited box is safer, drier, and far more likely to be used.

The golden rules of nest box placement

Avoid direct sunlight

The biggest mistake is putting a box where it bakes in strong sun. Nest boxes can overheat, which is dangerous for eggs and chicks.

A good general guide is to face the box between north and east, which helps avoid the hottest sun and the worst of the wet weather. 

Think “safe from predators”

Height isn’t everything, but it does help. The BTO suggests small-hole boxes are often placed around 1–3 metres up, with care taken so the box isn’t easily accessible to predators. 

Also:

• Avoid placing boxes where a cat can easily jump onto them from a fence, shed roof, or branch.
• Make sure there’s a clear flight path to the entrance hole so birds can come and go quickly. 

Don’t site nest boxes right next to feeders

It’s tempting, but boxes too close to busy feeding areas can draw unwanted attention. Several guides advise keeping nest boxes away from the main “traffic” of feeding stations where possible. 

You can actually place 6 bird boxes to 1 feeder. Which shows how feeding our birds can really help increase a species survival.

Open-fronted nest boxes (Robins, Blackbirds and friends)

Open-fronted boxes (often used by robins, blackbirds, wagtails) need a slightly different approach.

These should be tucked well into dense cover — ivy, thick shrubs, or other concealed spots — so the box isn’t obvious to predators. And yes, still keep it well off the ground. 

When should you put nest boxes up?

Birds often start investigating nest sites from winter into early spring, so it’s great to have boxes up in good time — but you can actually put them up at any time of year.

And they’re not just for nesting. Many birds use boxes as shelter during bad weather, especially on cold nights. (Some species will even roost together for warmth.) 

What if you need a specialist bird box?

If you’re looking to site something more specific (owl boxes, swift boxes, sparrow terraces, etc.), feel free to give us a call — we’re always happy to talk it through and help you choose the right setup.

Cleaning out a bird box (keep it simple and dry)

Wait until autumn, when nesting is well and truly over.

Then:

1. Remove the old nest material
2. Brush or scrape out the base
3. Keep it dry inside — avoid leaving it damp

Many UK wildlife guidance notes recommend cleaning in autumn and keeping things simple (no harsh products left inside). 

Quick checklist

• Face between north and east
• Avoid direct sun and exposed wet/windy spots
• Give a clear flight path
• Keep out of reach of predators
• Open-fronted boxes: hide them in cover
• Clean in autumn, keep the inside dry

If you get the siting right, birds will often return year after year — and that’s when it really starts to feel like your garden is part of their story.