Placing a nest box in close proximity to a feeding device or feeding
station may put birds off from nesting in the box. Remember that
most nesting birds are highly territorial and do not like intruders in
their territory. Either remove feeders just before and during the
breeding season or place the nest box well away from the feeding
station (approx. 10 metres).
If squirrels or woodpeckers are a
particular problem in your garden try
fitting a metal hole protector plate. We
supply 28 & 32mm with our High
Resolution kits.
3. Fixing the nest box
If you wish to attract Blue Tits, Great Tits etc to nest, ideally your
nest box should be fixed two to five metres up a tree or wall to
prevent predators such as cats from reaching them. If you wish to
attract Robins/Wrens etc, remove the front panel (containing the
round entrance hole) and position the nest box one to two metres
above ground level in or very close to light undergrowth/foliage.
There are several methods for attaching the nest box to a tree. If
using a nail try to make sure it is aluminium as this does least
damage to the tree. Alternatively boxes can be attached with wire
around the trunk or branch. Use a piece of garden hose or similar
around the wire to prevent damage to the tree. . You can easily
drill holes in the rear of the roof panels to thread wire through.
Safety Note:
Many activities concerned with nest boxes are
potentially hazardous. Be familiar with the safe working
practices of any tools you use. Wear safety glasses where
appropriate. Ensure ladders are secure before you climb
them, particularly if the ladder has been placed against a thin
tree, or a branch protruding from the main trunk.
Run the cable from the nest box using the safest route possible to
prevent any tripping hazards. You can fasten the cable along a
wall or fence, or bury it underground. Where possible we advise
you to place the cable inside a conduit or an old hose pipe to help
prevent damage from squirrels, rats or the occasional spade
There are a number of options for getting the cable into your
house. Drill a 20mm hole through the wall, door or window frame,
or maybe you have an airbrick/vent you could adapt to take the
cable. Visit the
Advice
tab on our website for further help.
4. Connecting the Camera
To connect your camera to a TV, video/DVD recorder or PC just
follow the same instructions as in step 1.
You should now be set up and ready to view the secret lives of the
birds in your garden!
Quick Care / Maintenance Guide
The nest box is made from high quality Western Red Cedar and
should require no treatment for some time. However, if you do wish
to treat it, we recommend using a water based wood preservative
but only on the outside so as not to harm the nesting birds. Boxes
are best treated in late summer or autumn when the birds are not
using it. In winter, especially during cold spells, birds such as tits
and wrens often use nest boxes as roosting sites, and by March
many species of tit are already prospecting for nesting sites.
Old nests should be removed from your nest box. The best time to
do this is soon after the breeding season and before the onset of
winter. The Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 permits the cleaning
out of nests containing abandoned eggs between 1 August and 31
January. The eggs must be destroyed promptly and cannot be kept
or sold. Nests often harbour fleas and an old nest left in a box over
winter provides a warm home. If, however, you do forget to remove
an old nest make sure you clear it out before the end of January.
Put old nests into a plastic bag and seal it straight away. This will
keep the fleas contained within the bag rather than jumping all over
you! Wear protective gloves or wash your hands thoroughly when
you have finished.
If the camera is to be left outside in very cold weather
conditions it should always be left switched on. This will
generate a very small amount of heat inside the camera to
prevent the electronics from freezing.
Should you require any help or advice when installing your product
please refer to our website
FAQ
and
Advice
sections.
E-mail: [email protected]
Visit us:
Gardenature.co.uk
DISCOVERY
Nest Box Camera System
- WIRED -
Nest Box Camera System
700TVL Installation Guide
