Bird house location

OCdude · 27 Mar 2013 at 16:18

I'm trying to attract some wildlife into my garden, so i'm about to buy some feeders and a bird house.. but I just have a question on the location of the bird house.

I don't have any trees in my (fairly small) garden, but i DO have the garage eves... now I'm assuming that what I'm hoping is a bit unrealistic - but do you think if I put a bird house under the eaves, it will actually attract any birds? Or is it way too close to the house and low to the ground? (the photo below was taken from the back door)

It's a new development, so because most of the surrounding area has been a building site for the past 6+ months, there's no much in the way of birds... although i'm starting to see a few Wagtails! On the upside, it is a pretty quiet area that's surrounded by lots of trees and fields.

Any advice appreciated!

Mark A · 27 Mar 2013 at 16:48

Something like this would be ideal, but I don't know if you can get them anywhere in this country.

I am no expert but I think the eves might be too low. If you do try it then just put it as far away from any high traffic areas like a door and see what happens.

To attract birds you could put up a bird table. Place it not too near the house and buy a bag of seed that's aimed at the birds you want to attract and they should start visiting your garden before long. I have made a few birdtables and they attract all sorts of birds.

I made a thread on how to make a slate roofed one in GD.

bitslice · 27 Mar 2013 at 16:58

I was asked to put one on a bungalow once, it wasn't too successful.

Try running ivy up a 2m pole and mount it on there, it might look like a tree to them?
Point it NE to avoid sun and wind.

Mark's bird table thread :cool:

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18414326

Mark A · 27 Mar 2013 at 20:47

Since posting that thread and having the bird tables outside I have realised there needs to be a higher lip around the base as the seed can just blow off if its windy. Just waiting for the weather to wrm up a bit before venturing out into my shed

.

I put a hook in the centre of the roof and hooked a fat ball onto it and they run around the outside of the table and peck at the fat ball.

Nightglow · 27 Mar 2013 at 21:00

See this link. http://www.britishbirdfood.co.uk/help-and-adivce/nest-box-siting

gort · 29 Mar 2013 at 10:56

You have to make sure you place a nesting box facing the right direction so that it doesn't get too much sun and/or rain etc. If your wall faces south then it may not be suitable as it would likely get too hot.
I never had birds in my garden but once I put up a table and feeders, I get lots. If there is food, they will find it. Only thing now though is a sparrowhawk that has become savvy and occasionally gets a sparrow or a dove

Interesting to watch it feed though.
Also, maybe plant largish shrubs and/or a small tree or two to make the garden less bare and more secure for the birds.