Collen- Nest Boxes Welsh Borders Wildlife Group - 15th March 2024

Today, Collen had visitors from the Welsh Borders Wildlife Trust. Sue began the day by talking about which birds like to nest in boxes with a small hole. We learned about blue tits and great tits and how they took 2 days to build the nest. Then they lay an egg a day for 10 days. After that, the female bird will incubate the eggs, whilst the male provides her with food. Once the chicks hatch, both parents spend the next two weeks feeding them caterpillars until the fledglings are old enough to fly the nest.

Noel showed us how to build a nest box. We listened carefully to the instructions. Then it was our turn!

First we attached the front to the sides. We worked in pairs one hammering and the other holding the wooden boards together. We had to keep our fingers away from the hammer.

Next we added the base and the back of the nest box. We had to make sure all the sides lined up.

Then we used a waterproof cover to attach the roof on a hinge. We had to be careful with the stapler!

We hammered in some nails to the side and wrapped wire around to secure the lid, then drilled a hole at the top of the nest box, for the large nail to attach to a tree.

Thank you Paul, Sue, Noel and Eddie! We had a brilliant morning and we can't wait to put our nest boxes up at home!