It is difficult to try and attract a particular bird to nest in your garden, but by choosing the ideal nesting box, you increase your chances of catching the attention of a particular species.
Common garden birds look for different features when searching for somewhere safe to hatch and raise their brood. The best nesting boxes for blue tits should be fixed to a tree or wall at a height of 2-4m, in a secure place that is sheltered from the elements.
Blue tits only need an entrance hole of 25mm to gain access to the box; this is small enough to prevent slightly larger birds from getting in and to keep predators out.
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What to look for in the best blue tit nesting boxes
All bird boxes are not the same, here are some of the features you should expect in the better quality ones.
- Material – look for boxes made from FSC timber, which means it promotes responsible forestry with the highest environmental standards. High-quality timber from sustainable forests is desirable for its durability. Some boxes are made from bird-safe pressure treated and dipped wood. These will be less expensive yet have a long life expectancy.
- Entrance hole – a small hole of around 25-30mm is paramount for the blue tit’s safety. He will bypass open-fronted boxes or those with larger holes.
- Design – there are so many styles to choose from. Standard timber boxes camouflage nicely against trees trunks and branches; blue tits crave security from predators. Multiple other decorative houses enhance gardens. Lighthouse, camper vans, village pubs, and post boxes are just a few of the styles available.
- Ease of hanging – Boxes often come with hanging brackets ready-fixed or pre-drilled holes for screwing the box to a tree.
- Cleaning- when the birds have flown, it is imperative that you empty and clean the box before rehanging. If you don’t no birds will use it again.
- Camera-ready – if you’re interested in installing a box with a camera inside to have a bird’s-eye view, look for specifically designed box. They will usually have an additional light source that is just bright enough to highlight the activities without causing a disturbance. Their ceiling height is often extended to give the camera room to hide without disturbing the nest.
I have found my 3 favourites and most highly recommended nesting boxes for blue tits, 1 from each category; budget, decorative, and premium.
Supa Wild Bird Multi-Purpose Nesting Box
Made from pressure-treated wood that has been dipped in bird-friendly stain, this attractive birdhouse is ideal for all members of the tit family, including the blue tit. It comes with a hanging bracket on the back for easy installation.
The slatted roof overhangs just enough to keep the small entrance hole protected from the sun and rain. The hole is high-set, this offers maximum protection from predators; even if they fit their head through the hole, they won’t reach all the ways down to the eggs or young.
Best feature
This is a multi-functional box. By removing 2 brass screws, the top half of the front section removes, turning the box into an open-fronted style. This attracts a completely different set of garden birds, including robins, pied wagtails and spotted flycatchers.
Inside the box, at the base, is a small ledge. The adult birds will use this to clear any waste from inside the box; it also increases airflow and therefore prevents condensation build-up.
I love this inexpensive little box, it is well built and solid, and will provide the perfect starter home for a family of blue tits through several seasons.
Gardman Beach Hut Bird Nest Box
This eye-catching nesting box is made from pine with a cedar roof. Both are FSC certified and are tough enough woods to withstand all elements. The box is extremely robust it’s strong enough to keep angry squirrels or sparrowhawks at bay.
It has a tough metal plate surrounding the entrance hole to ensure nothing can get in that way either.
Best feature
Keeping your bird box clean on the inside is necessary to attract birds back year after year. It also ensures the box is disease-free and as hygienic as possible for its inhabitants.
The base of this nesting box slides off to allow full access to the interior for total cleaning.
Once completed, it slides back into place.
The roof is angled to allow rainwater to run away naturally and the overhangs prevent wind or bright sunshine from becoming a nuisance.
The entrance hole is 30mm so might attract other birds including sparrows, nuthatches, and other members of the tit family. Peanuts are the food of the gods to a blue tit, consider hanging some near to the box to attract him, or crushing a few on the ground beneath it.
Who wouldn’t love a beach hut or 2 at the end of their garden, particularly when they come in a choice of natural, yellow, blue, and my favourite, sage green?
Birdboxview Colour CCTV Camera Nest Box
This beautiful nesting box is solidly crafted from durable cedar and features an apex roof for wind and weather protection. It lifts off simply once the nest has flown enabling easy cleaning.
At the base of the box is a ventilation slot, this increases air circulation and reduces condensation that can cause harmful spores. The slot also allows for drainage and for the house proud parents to clear debris from the nest.
Best feature
The box is supplied with a simple to install, internal CCTV camera that sends colour images to your TV screen. There is also a tiny microphone that enables the user to hear what is happening inside the nest!
All of the wires for installation and are colour-coded for easy recognition. They are available in differing lengths depending on the size of your garden. There is protective plastic trunking that keeps the cables dry and safe from rain or moisture.
The camera gives a wide view of the entrance hole and the nest and can be manually adjusted until you get the best image. Adjustable focus provides the best-quality images possible.
An opaque side window allows a little natural light in, enough to enhance the images yet not disturbs the nest. Expect pictures that are taken in brilliant sunshine to have muted colours, and just black and white images when it is dull outside, or at night.
I can honestly think of few things I would prefer to do than to sit in front of the TV with a mug of coffee in hand watching the early life of blue tit chicks. Being able to watch them as they grow from hatchlings through to fledgelings from the comfort of your sofa will be a delightful experience.
Final thoughts
Blue tits are charming little fellows with a beautiful song. It is understandable why all of us garden bird feeders long to have them raise their families in our gardens.
With the best nesting box for blue tits securely placed in a sheltered location, preferably facing south-east, we should all be watching the little feathers toing and froing in our gardens before long, and with any luck, returning next year.
