Avoid south-facing birdhouses – for the nestlings’ sake

Date:  April 4, 2018

Source:  Lund University

Ten-day-old baby birds are able to maintain their regular body temperature despite nest box temperatures of 50C° or above. Researchers at Lund University in Sweden can now show that nestlings pay a high price for regulating their body temperature: they grow less. Therefore, the recommendation when putting up a nest box should be to avoid hot, south-facing locations and choosing a spot in the shade.

The study examined how baby blue tits are affected by higher temperatures in the nest. The results show that growth suffers when they are forced to expend a large amount of their energy on maintaining a normal body temperature in a hot nest box.

"We have studied baby blue tits, but our results are likely to apply to other small hole-nesting birds in similar environments and climates," explains Fredrik Andreasson, biologist at Lund University.

He has some practical advice for those putting up a nest box:

"Don't place it in a south-facing position, as that is where it will be hottest. If possible, you should choose a place in the shade."

Continued 

Home for high-fliers: ultimate bird house with own swimming pool

A Swedish homeware company has produced a luxury bird house, complete with swimming pool and garden furniture. 

With a nut-filled kitchen and infinity dipping pool, it is the last word in back garden comfort. 

This unusual bird house has been designed by Clas Ohlson, a Swedish homeware company, to encourage birds back into gardens.

The "ultimate birdhouse" has two storeys, a swinging perch and even a predator alarm to avoid a nasty surprise for the occupant when it is tucking into the nut feeder. 

Recent research by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds found that some of the UK's best-loved bird species are declining sharply. The numbers of house sparrows and bullfinches have dropped by 17 per cent and 20 per cent respectively since 2012. 

Gardeners are encouraged to make their gardens more bird-friendly by creating shelter and food for birds. The RSPB recommends installing bird houses and providing the animals with a source of water, such as a bird bath. Its website provides a list of suitable foods to leave out for birds. 

Anyone who would like to encourage birds into their garden can create their own concept birdhouse by downloading blueprints from Clas Ohlson's Facebook page. 

The best bird boxes for your garden

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/gardeningequipment/10013393/Home-for-high-fliers-ultimate-bird-house-with-own-swimming-pool.html

New bird houses can be built into your walls.

February 2013. Having worked for many years as a builder, Duncan McCutchan was frustrated by the lack of opportunities to incorporate nesting sites into housing developments which are increasingly happening on green sites. 

So he decided to do something himself, and he started to build nesting sites into walls. He has now built on his knowledge and experience to produce nesting boxes which are designed to be incorporated into buildings.

The boxes are designed so that the fronts can be easily removed so that they can be cleaned out and monitored. The boxes, suitable for birds and bats, are unique and have the potential to benefit many British species of birds and bats. These boxes provide permanent nesting and roosting sites and will last the lifespan of the building; they are also more predator proof and weather resistant than traditional wooden boxes.

Wildlife Extra would like to see the day when it is compulsory to include something like this in all new build houses.

To find out more about these boxes, go to http://www.birdbrickhouses.co.uk

http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/brick-bird-box.html