Why arent birds using my boxes?

longwalks1

We bought 2 bird boxes 18 months ago, fitted them at the top of concrete fence posts (6ft high up), with overhanging conifers that add shelter from the sun and rain, so id of thought in a pretty good location. Our garden is always full of birds, most mornings we can count 20-30 feeding, all sorts, sparrows, starlings, robins, blue tits, goldfinches, pied wagtails, jackdaws and even saw a ring necked parakeet a few weeks ago. (we live in th countryside and theres a big flock of them over our local park)



But no ones moved in to our boxes, any ideas why please??

Apodemus

Location, location, location!

Possibly also design and aspect. What type of boxes are these? Owl boxes? Wren boxes? Open-fronted or with a hole? If the type with a hole, what size? Are they near a feeder or other high-traffic area? Are they highly visible or secluded? Facing north or south? I think we would need more info to provide better answers!

gamston

I've got about 10 nest boxes up, 4 with small holes for bluetits, 3 with larger holes, 2 box with open top, and 1 multi group for sparrows

I only have about 4 used each year,

Farway

I don't know the answer but I've had a box up on the side of my house for over ten years and the only occupant it ever had was was a mouse

I've seen birds inspecting it in springtime but no takers

The box is identical in position & type to neighbour two doors down, there's is busy

Grenage

Isn't 6ft a little low? At that sort of height you're looking at blackbirds/robins/etc, they tend to opt for more concealed spots such as hedges; a fence is a bit exposed.

LadyDee

https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/advice/how-you-can-help-birds/nestboxes/nestboxes-for-small-birds/making-and-placing-a-bird-box

Waterlily24

We've got about 8 boxes, different sizes and different holes and only 2 were used. I was very disappointed because our photo one wasn't used it's been up for about 3 years. Hubby also put a larger one up for little owls as we used to have them visiting - that hasn't been used either and the little owls seem to have gone.

MysteryMe

I think 6ft is too low. If you are in the countryside it may be the birds have plenty of natural choice and don't need a "new build"

longwalks1

Apodemus wrote: »

Location, location, location!

Possibly also design and aspect. What type of boxes are these? Owl boxes? Wren boxes? Open-fronted or with a hole? If the type with a hole, what size? Are they near a feeder or other high-traffic area? Are they highly visible or secluded? Facing north or south? I think we would need more info to provide better answers!

sorry should of said, north facing, top of the fence posts sheltered by large conifers, visable to 4 hanging bird feeders about 8m away in our garden. boxes with holes, 30mm holes 9standard box from amazon)

Apodemus

At that size of hole you are in sparrow territory. Boxes are probably better in a place where there is not all round visibility - so on a wall, fence or tree, rather than on top of a post. If you have a lot of bird traffic at your feeder, the 8m may be too near, or the boxes too visible. I have a sparrow box below the eaves of my north-facing garage and it was there for three years before it started to be used (2 broods this year) so they may yet start to use them. Like all of us, availability of good, affordable housing also depends on population density and local demand!