A guide to hanging nest boxes

Every spring, garden birds across Ireland begin the search for safe places to nest. With natural sites becoming harder to find, a well-designed nest box can make a real difference. National Nest Box Week is the perfect time to prepare your garden for the breeding season ahead. Whether you’re replacing an old box or putting one up for the first time, you’ll be helping to give birds a secure place to raise their young, while enjoying exclusive savings across our range of nest boxes.

Find the correct hanging height and entry opening

Bird species	Suspension height	Entrance hole
Pied Flycatcher	2 to 3 meters	30-32 mm
Eurasian Nuthatch	2 to 5 meters	32-34 mm
Tawny Owl	3 to 5 meters	125 mm
Common Redstart	2 to 3 meters	32 x 40 mm (oval)
Yellow Wagtail	1 to 2 meters	30 mm
Common Swift	4 to 10 meters	slot
Marsh Tit	2 to 3 meters	28 mm
Spotted Flycatcher	2 to 3 meters	45 x 55 mm
European Green Woodpecker	3 to 5 meters	60 to 80 mm
Spotted Woodpecker	3 to 5 meters	50 mm
House Sparrow	>2 meters	34-35 mm
House Martin	4 to 6 meters	half-open cup
Eurasian Jackdaw	4 to 10 meters	120 mm
Barn Owl	4 to 6 meters	100 x 150 mm
Great Tit	2 to 3 meters	32 mm
Crested Tit	2 to 3 meters	32 mm
Common Blackbird	1.5 to 2.5 meters	semi-open
Blue Tit	2 to 3 meters	28 mm
Eurasian Tree Sparrow	2 to 3 meters	40 mm
European Robin	1 to 2 meters	semi-open
Common Starling	2 to 5 meters	45 mm
Long-tailed Tit	1.5 to 3 meters	32 mm
Little Owl	1.5 to 5 meters	70 mm
Common Kestrel	4 meters	150 x 200 mm (open front)
Eurasian Wren	1 to 2 meters	semi-open
White Wagtail	1.5 to 2 meters	32 mm
Song Thrush	2 to 4 meters	semi-open
Barn Swallow	2 to 4 meters	slot
Coal Tit	2 to 3 meters	28 mm

Blue Tit Nest Boxes

Great Tit Nest Boxes

Sparrow Nest Boxes

Starling Nest Boxes

Robin Nest Boxes

Nuthatch Nest Boxes

Pied Flycatcher Nest Boxes

Redstart Nest Boxes

House Martin & Swallow Nests

Who uses a nest box?

Not all birds use nest boxes. Species such as chaffinches, goldfinches and long-tailed tits prefer open nests in trees and shrubs. Nest boxes are used by cavity-nesting birds, helping them find a safe place to raise their young as natural nesting sites become harder to find.

Which direction should it face?

Birds look for a safe, sheltered place to raise their young. Position your nest box away from full sunlight and out of the prevailing wind. A house wall or a sheltered spot in a garden tree or wooded area are both ideal locations.

How high?

We recommend hanging nest boxes around 3 to 5 metres high to mimic natural nesting heights. Make sure there is a clear flight path so birds can easily access the box.

When is the best time to put one up?

Hanging a nest box in winter is ideal, giving birds shelter from cold weather and time to become familiar with it before spring. Spring marks the breeding season, when nesting begins, eggs hatch and chicks grow before fledging.

Should you clean them?

September or October is the best time to clean out nest boxes, once the breeding season has finished and young birds have fledged. Removing old nesting material helps prevent parasites and keeps the box safe, dry and ready for the next season.

Shop the Cleaning Range