Warning to anyone with a bird box in garden this summer

Anyone who has a bird box in their garden is being warned it could actually be doing 'more harm than good' if it's in the wrong place.

British people are among the most friendly to birds, with 58% of households in the UK spending their own money on feeding garden birds, according to studies. And if you're going one step further and actively installing nest boxes or garden bird boxes, then you're probably extremely wildlife conscious and want to do your best to help birds like robins, starlings, sparrows and other common visitors.

But ecology experts Arbtech are warning that a bird box may actually be harming birds in your garden, especially during hot summer weather, if you've put it in the wrong place. A spokesperson for the firm said: "Installing a birdbox is one of the easiest and most rewarding ways to support local native bird species.

"But, poor placement could actually do more harm than good. Birds are sensitive to predators, disturbance, heat and human activity - so you must consider a birdbox spot that takes all these into account.

"Factors like sunlight exposure, distance from shrubs and trees, height and distance from other nesting sites are all essential in making safe and secure spaces for nesting birds in your garden.

"We want more Britons to take action in supporting their local bird species, which is why we are sharing some easy things to remember when placing your birdbox."

They added that bird boxes must never face south, into the hot summer sun: "Make sure to pay attention to the direction of your birdbox - if you have a south-facing garden, make sure to place the box in a shaded area of your garden.

"This is because exposing the birdbox to direct sunlight can lead to unsafe temperatures for nesting birds and chicks.

"Always aim for north-east to south-east facing positions, which will provide morning sun, avoid the midday heat and keep nesting birds sheltered from strong winds."

As well as the sunshine, birds can also be endangered by predators like cats: "Avoid placing birdboxes in the reach of predators like cats, rats and squirrels. Instead, aim to place your birdbox in a spot which provides some protection, like on a wall or fence or tucked away in vegetation.

"Height is an important factor in birdbox placement, and the height from the ground depends on what species of bird you are hoping to attract! Generally, you should aim to place your birdbox between one and five metres from the ground. Larger birds like woodpeckers and owls prefer for boxes to be between three and five metres high. Tits and sparrows opt for two to four metres high. And robins and blackbirds prefer nests one to two metres from the ground.

"You should avoid placing your birdbox too close to bird feeders or bird baths in your garden. High levels of bird activity close by can disturb established nests. You should also avoid placing several bird boxes close together, as many species of birds are territorial this could cause the boxes to be disturbed or abandoned. "