Thanks, the directions given sound simple, Ill try them out with a group of kids and let you know the successes.

Fine samples of birdboxes. You are the present master. Thanks for division of experience.

Mike,
there is another, more recent blog on building bird boxes at http://www.woodlands.co.uk/blog/practical-guides/making-a-bird-box/ which does indeed refer to the BTO’s publication. We take your point about front-opening boxes, although, unless you have a specific reason, probably best to leave well alone if it’s occupied.

I’m suprised to see on the woodlands.CO.UK web site instructions for builing Americam bird boxes! There is a standard book of British bird box designs which is by Chris DuFeu and is published by the British Trust for Ornithology – web site:

http://blx2.bto.org/btos/product/viewProduct.html?id=0b5e04a00aad0d1e010ab2cc971d03e9

(or go to http://www.bto.org then navigate to Membership|BTO Sales Catalogue)

The critical differences are to do with access. It is useless to have front-openning boxes which hinge at the top – there is a danger that the nestlings will jump or fall out of the box when one opens it for examination. One needs boxes where the ‘lid’ opens. This way one can open the box to examine, count, measure, ring etc the chicks without them jumping out.

The BTO publication describes about 20 different kinds of boxes for most British species (not Bluebirds, which don’t occur here!). Of course, most people with woods in Britain will want the standard tit/flycatcher box but it would be a good idea to encourage people to put up Owl boxes as well.

Anyway, might I suggest that you replace to present article on making boxes for American birds with one which describes boxes for British birds, based on DuFeu’s book?