We plan to put up a small number of bird nesting boxes in St Mary Magdalen Churchyard on Saturday 20th January between 1.30 pm and 4.00 pm. There will be a session the previous Saturday (13th January) for a small number of people to build the nest boxes. Space is limited due to the size of the shed!
If you can’t help but would be willing to sponsor a nest box by covering the cost of materials with a donation of £5, we are also looking for support that way.
Please contact John Crookes, or email us at info@knightonwild.org.uk.
Re:- the bird boxes that you are making – don’t forget that blue tit boxes are often used by queen bumblebees to set up their colonies in Spring – in particular Tree Bumbles [Bombus hypnorum]; although I have had other bumble species use them in my garden in the past eg Early Bumbles [Bombus pratorum]. They do not gather in their own nesting material, so you will have to provide some for them to use [old nesting material when cleaning out nest boxes is OK [mind the fleas!]. Avoid using timber that has been treated.
You could also leave off the front panel of your box and pack it with short lengths of bamboo canes , for solitary bees to use. [7mm to 8mm internal dia]. Put the boxes up in good time [late Feb] facing south & sheltered, for when the females are on the wing…………
Keep up the good work! See you in 2018 when the weather is a bit warmer.
Thanks Maggie for you comments, our next activity after the birdbox installation is setting up bug hotels and habitats – we’ll be doing this in February.