What is the best position for a bird nest box?
Facing it between north and east is best to avoid the worst of the sunlight, wind and rain. If the nest box is tilted forward slightly it will help any rain run off. It is important that the entrance is clear to enable birds to have an easy flight path. The height the nest box should be placed depends on the species it is intended for. Boxes for tits, sparrows, spotted flycatchers and starlings are best placed 2 to 4 meters high, whereas open fronted nest boxes designed for robins and wrens are best placed lower down in thick cover at between 1m and 2m above ground. Woodpecker boxes can be higher at 5-10m and placed on a tree truck. Boxes for barn owls and kestrels need to be sighted overlooking open land on the edge of woodland or on farmland. Tawny owl boxes are best within woodland itself. They should be placed at least 5 metres above the ground.
