Sorry, not a Derry Moore photo, but I want to give you an idea of the abundance of bird-life in west London. I have a plan.
I have hung two nesting boxes in my backyard. One is on a bare, west-facing brick wall. The wall is new and will ultimately be festooned in wisteria and honeysuckle. The other is concealed within the Trachelospermum (aka star jasmine) on a south- facing wall. I suspect that this will be like buying to let, in that I will not get any tenants, but I will keep you informed. Meanwhile, like an estate agent who advertises in Country Life, here are some pictures of these des. res.
I’m hoping to get a family of blue tits this year. They gave my box a miss last year. It’s nailed to a north-facing wall.
A male blue tit has been endeavouring to attract a mate to my box by perching outside it, looking around, and generally showing that he’s available.
It’s my understanding that nesting boxes MUST face east. Mine do and I have tenants (perhaps the same ones) every year. The size of the hole in the box is also vital – to a millimetre. Make sure your boxes are RSPB approved for size….the equivalent of getting a gas safety certificate for human tenants.
Thanks for those Top Tips. I have moved the west facing box to an east facing position. I don’t get many birds in the garden as my neighbour has cats but I’m hoping for the best.