If you love nature and wildlife there is nothing more satisfying than seeing it thrive in your own back garden. By simply providing the right food, shelter and habitat, you can easily attract all kinds of wildlife into your garden for you to enjoy. Without too much money, time or effort, you can create the perfect location for birds to visit or even settle. With trees and other natural nesting sites being destroyed, providing nest boxes for birds is a great way to encourage them into your garden and give you the opportunity to both see and watch them. Building your own bird box is both fun and rewarding, an activity the whole family can get involved in with results the whole family can enjoy. To build your own bird box you will need: • Hardwood such as oak or beech at least 15mm thick • 3mm drill bit • 3.5X38mm galvanised screws • Pozi drive drill bit • G clamp • 25mm flat bit • Sanding sponge Now you have all the tools and materials you need, take a look at the infographic below created by UK Oak Doors

1. How to build a
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120
200
175
175
300
200
175
200
Side
Base
Side
Front
Back
Roof
Use a wood saw to cut along the
pencil lines
On the front panel, use a wide
drill bit to create an entrance
hole for the birds. Create a
25mm hole for blue tits, a
28mm hole for great tits, or a
32mm hole for sparrows and
nuthatches.To attract robins,
cut the front piece to create an
open fronted box (pictured
below).
You will need:
Step 1 Step 2
Step 3
• Wood – at least 15mm thick hardwood such as oak or beech
• 3mm drill bit
• 3.5x38mm galvanised screws
• Pozi drive drill bit
• G clamp
• 25mm flat bit
• Saw
• Sanding sponge
Mark your wood into six
sections of the following sizes.
(measurements are in mm):
Plank size: 150mm x 1170mm
Mark the front and back panels
according to where the side
panels will be attached (two
holes on each side of both the
front and back panel).
Drill holes in the relevant
positions using a 3mm drill bit.
Step 4
Drill five small holes into the
base of the box for drainage.
Step 6
Place the back of the box onto
the sides and use a pozi drive
drill bit to push the screws into
place.
Repeat with the front of the
box.
Step 5
Securely clamp the base into
place using a G-clamp.
Step 7
Cut a small piece of wood to be
used as a weatherproof strip.
Place along the roof of the box
and nail into place.
Step 10
Drill a mounting hole.
Step 12
Sand any harsh edges.
Step 11
Use two screws on each side of
the box to secure the base.
Step 8
Put the roof in position and
secure using two screws on
either side.
Step 9
www.ukoakdoors.co.uk
Lastly, use an animal friendly
treatment to preserve the
wood. However if you’ve used
oak like us, leave the box
untreated – oak may warp if
treated with water based
products.
Finishing Up