Challenge 37: Build a bird box

Points available: 3

About the challenge

Build a nest box for your garden birds so they have somewhere suitable to nest. Birds like the Blue Tit need holes in trees to build their nest. In most small gardens there aren't any places to nest so a birdbox is a great alternative.

You'll need some untreated wood and a few simple tools. Watch the video below to see Stuart one of the Dartmoor Rangers make one

Helpful tips

If you enjoy the DIY challenge then you could also think about making boxes for other animals. There are lots of plans on the internet for bat boxes or how about making a hedgehog box.

More information

A nest box scheme has been running at Yarner Wood, part of East Dartmoor National Nature Reserve for over 65 years. The volunteers who monitor them walk 7 miles each week to check them all. It has been successful- they have gone from one pair of pied flycatchers to over 87 breeding pairs. Read more about it on the East Dartmoor Woods blog