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Radnorshire Wildlife Trust has found the perfect way to help first-timers on to the first rung of the property ladder – for our feathered friends, that is!

National Nest Box Week (14 – 21 February) is organised by the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) and supported by The Wildlife Trusts across the UK. This year sees the BTO working closely with the BBC to launch Nest Box Challenge, a nationwide online survey, monitoring the success of nest boxes up and down the country.

It is important to provide birds with suitable places to nest, so in preparation for this week Radnorshire Wildlife Trust has stocked up on bird boxes for many different species in its shop at High Street, Llandrindod Wells. There are boxes for bluetits and great-tits, tree-creepers, redstarts, spotted flycatchers and dippers, open-fronted boxes for blackbirds and robins, and even boxes to encourage barn owls and tawny owls to take up residence near you.

Many birds are starting to look for a home so now’s the time to put up a box in your garden. Natural nest sites, such as hollow trees or cavities of old buildings are fast disappearing as gardens and woods are ‘tidied’ and older properties renovated. It is estimated two million baby birds are reared in nest boxes each year. If you’re lucky, a couple of courting ‘lovebirds’ will move in and, in the months to come, you will be able to catch a glimpse of their chicks.

Julian Jones, Wildlife Trust Manager in Radnorshire, said “This is the best time of year to put up new boxes and clean out your old ones ready for the Spring – it’s very satisfying to watch a young family being raised in a box you have put up, or even made, yourself.”

If you’re interested in making your own nest box, log on to the British Trust for Ornithology website for ideas and plans.