Step by step guide to making a bird and bat box with Floyd the Frog
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1 Hi. I'm Floyd the Frog and I like birds and bats.
So, I'm going to show you how to make a bird
and bat box. |
2 You will need a plank of wood about 1.5
metres long, 150mm wide and 15mm thick. Use
untreated wood as chemicals used to treat
wood may harm or discourage birds or bats. |
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3 Get an adult to mark up the plank of wood to
the sizes shown in 'mm' and cut with a saw. Drill
the entrance hole at least 125mm from the base
of the box. If it is less, young birds may be
scooped out by a cat. Also, remember to drill
four small drainage holes in the base. |
4 Get an adult to assemble the pieces as shown
using galvanised nails or screws. Hinge the lid
with a strip of rubber. An old piece of bicycle
inner tube will do. A catch to fasten the lid is
essential. Use rubber or roof felt to waterproof
the roof. The size of the entrance hole can be
altered to attract different species of birds. |
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5 As an alternative, by cutting away the top
half of the front panel you will also attract
Robins, Wagtails and Wrens. The Spotted
Flycatcher, a summer visitor, also likes
this type of box. |
6 Bird boxes can be nailed to posts or tied to
trees using wire. Remember to get permission
to put your bird box up. Get an adult to place
the box three to five metres high, well out of
the reach of cats or curious humans. Place
facing between north and south east, to avoid
strong sunlight and the wettest winds. Also, tilt
slightly forward to allow rain to run off, away
from the entrance hole. |
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7 For a bat box use the same design as the
bird box but:
- do not make an entrance hole
- shorten the base of the box by 15 to 20mm
- roughen the inside surface of the
box to allow bats to hang on to it. |
8 Bat boxes should be placed between three to
five metres above the ground. Remember to
get permission to put your bat box up. Get an
adult to place it in a north facing position. If
positioned in a tree, clear away branches one
metre above and below the box. As bats live
in colonies, place several bat boxes together,
if possible. |
Maintaining your bird box
Never disturb birds using your box. When you are sure that the birds have left in the autumn, clean the box out. Remember though, they may raise a second brood or use the box as a roost, so check first. Most birds carry parasites, so wear protective gloves and put nesting material straight into a bag. Cleaning is important as it will make your box more attractive to birds in the spring.
Maintaining your bat box
It is illegal to disturb roosting bats. In winter, if no bats are roosting, check the boxes to see if they are in a reasonable condition. Clean the box if necessary, but disturb as little as possible.
For additional information on birds and bats you can visit these web sites
Other Floyd's Guides available:
Other information:
For further information contact
Derby City Council
Regeneration and Community
Roman House
Friar Gate
Derby DE1 1XB
Telephone 01332 255021 Minicom 01332 256666 Fax 01332 255989 email wildderby@derby.gov.uk