How To Make A Bird Box - Robin

[@pyewaket1]

I have an old teapot in a tree with spout pointing down and the robins love it. 😊

[@wildlifegardener-tracey6206]

Great box looks solid and long lasting. Again great demonstration Joel. Great activity to share with children.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thank you Tracey :) Bird boxes don't need to be glamorous or mimic other items, I've seen teapots, caravans etc (!) and birds really don't care, they just need the shelter and security as they would choose in the wild :) Yes, agreed re children, a great activity and teaches more than just carpentry skills - best wishes, Joel

[@saltlifegull4091]

FINALLY-- a woman friendly video for making a house. I've watched hours of how to build simple boxes and wasted my time. So knowledgeable and LOVE the video. Subscriber from Florida USA

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Hi over there! Sorry I missed this, so many comments across the channel and I'm doing my best to keep up - but so good to read this, I'm really grateful for the kind words and so glad this could be of help. Very best wishes, Joel

[@markmiller-summer473]

Sir Joel; Did you ever address the inquiry regarding chemically (pressure) treated lumber vs bird health.

[@glensalt7460]

brilliant will be making a couple of these boxes

[@suzannebramble6564]

Thanks for another informative video Joel

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

You are very welcome Suzanne, appreciate you letting me know :)

[@alisonburgess345]

Great video! Frogs spotted yesterday in the garden: Common Eastern Froglet. So cute!

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Oh my, just looked that up as I'd not heard of them. THREE centimetres? Wow, I learned something new again today :) Thanks so much too. Joel

[@lynnrushton7458]

Will be making a few of these, & others.......Mr R has made me a workshop! 😁👏 whoohoo! We live in rural Scotland & have LOADS of visitors to our smallholding, including owls / bats ....can’t wait to get my saw out! Thanks Joel 🙏🦉🦇 So glad you tube found you for me 😁

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

You are very welcome Lynn :) Your support means a lot and makes a difference - I will be doing other boxes including bat boxes soon - best wishes to rural Scotland! Joel

[@chuck4077]

Hi my friend I love your videos thanks for all the information on how to build next box's.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thank you Chuck, I really appreciate your support and encouragement, it makes a huge difference and keeps me going - am determined to share as much knowledge as I can on the channel so that more vital habitats are made for creatures desperately in need of our help :) Best wishes - Joel

[@heatherbruce4496]

Fab I didn't know robins liked a different kind of entrance. Iv two Robin's come all the time. Stay safe.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Glad it helped :) I hope it encourages lots more bird box making and more habitats for nature, thank you for your support - best wishes, Joel

[@dave434]

I'll make couple of those this Spring and See if I can get some renters.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Glad this was helpful Dave. You don't have to wait til Spring... if you're itching to do it. Birds need roosting places in winter to protect them from the harsh weather, giving them somewhere to keep warmer when there's no leaves on trees etc. Also, birds will keep an eye on boxes over winter time and into spring to ensure any nesting places are safe and familiar. We have a specific roosting box for our smaller birds that like to roost together, if you're in the UK, on www.wildyourgarden.com: wildyourgarden.com/product/wild-your-garden-winter-roost-box-new-fully-assembled/ Best wishes, and thanks for thinking of the birds - Joel

[@oemex388]

Simple good advice I am going make it today

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

This makes all the effort worthwhile :) I am so glad that this has helped to make another habitat - let me know how you get on and who visits :) Best wishes, and thank you for your support, it is appreciated - Joel

[@gardeninside1367]

Very useful video joel!👍😊👏

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thank you :) I really appreciate your support - best wishes, Joel

[@IanSmith-l1h]

Hi Joel. Great instructional video. One question? Because of the slanted roof, is there a gap where the roof meets the back, or did you schampher the back of the roof somehow? Sorry if i am being petty!

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Hi there - sorry for the delay here. I put an angled cut on the back of the roof where it meets the back plate. You can always tack a piece of pond liner or roofing felt over this join :) Hope this helps, best wishes - Joel

[@IanSmith-l1h]

@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton Thanks for the response, that's helpful. I've recently started knocking up some bird boxes from spare pallet timber, and am broadly giving them away on a local neighbourhood website. Have distributed 3 so far, with some more interest expressed. No real experience in carpentry and working out that angle has been my biggest headache, trying to ensure no gap.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

@@IanSmith-l1hThat's a very generous and brilliant idea! No doubt at all you're doing this already, but with pallet wood do make sure the insides are as smooth/sanded as possible, just to protect the chicks. It's a good time of year to be getting these up as we lose so many small birds during the harsh winter months, and not only will they find refuge in these, they'll also be able to be familiar with the box situations to use them in spring :) Best wishes, Joel

[@IanSmith-l1h]

@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton Actually, I read it is best to leave the inside of the box unsanded as it gives the birds something to grip on to when they need to exit? Do you have any tips/advice on how to get that top roof angle right?

[@klcpca]

Your robins are so beautiful!! Much different than American robins. And American robins will also nest in some of the strangest places. We have robins that build nests on our front & back porches and they like to fly out as you walk by and scare the "S***" out of ya!!!

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Your comments never fail to make me smile :) They're certainly becoming tamer I've found, not shy in taking food from the hand and they have evolved so much that they now take food from hanging feeders. They are pretty notorious for their Spring battles when the males will sometimes fight to the death. The red breast is almost like a red flag :)

[@klcpca]

@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton I don't think our robins would ever eat from the hand... much too skittish... To the death??!!!! Wow!

[@markhunter2244]

Nice, will you be doing a bat box.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Yes Mark, I hope to do more boxes, due to a very busy workload I have to take the opportunity to film as I am working - wish this could be a hobby sometimes but I plan to do bat boxes too - thanks for the support, appreciated. Joel

[@george-1961]

My charity bought boxes which I thought were for Robins are now obviously not as the roof does not over hang enough. Thanks Joel will get them reconfigured and hopefully will make more all of the boxes you showed us how to make 👌🏼

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Really glad this was helpful to you George :) I hope lots more are made to enable more habitats - we really can live closer to nature in our gardens - best wishes, Joel

[@zanawhite6226]

easy & nice

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thank you Zana - appreciated :) Best wishes, Joel

[@gbltheolechurch5acrehomestead]

🇨🇦🇨🇦🔨🪚Hey, from across the pond!

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Hey :) Welcome - best wishes, Joel

[@EasyHikes4810]

Great tutorial video👍. I was thinking of putting up a couple of bird boxes on the 6" fence (eventually when it gets built in the next couple of months) and some bird feeders to see what it can attract. As we have quite a few rainbow lorikeets and rosellas flying around during the cooler months, it may be a nice project to tackle. I am almost done with the rockery garden rejuvenation and got to start renovating the path (Easter long weekend job🙂!). I will upload this gradually on YT when it is all done + wallabies and stuff. Have a great week!

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

I cannot wait to see it all :) Would recommend boxes, of course (!) and bird feeders, but do remember to site the feeders away from any nest boxes, the birds won't take to them with too much going on nearby. Not sure if you have seen the other bird box video but I go into the siting detail a bit more on that :) Good luck over the weekend - stay safe - Joel

[@stephenjones8375]

Very nice video Joel. 👍💚💚

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Many thanks Stephen - really appreciate your support, best wishes - Joel

[@andyharris1473]

Great video but I notice you recommend pressure treated timber when the rspb say don’t use PTT?

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Hi there Andy - when I last looked into this there had been no studies that proved that pressure treated timber was detrimental to birds. However I do know that it is definitely NOT recommended for bat boxes as they are very sensitive to any level of chemicals present - I do know that modern pressure treated timber is not as harmful as wood that was creosoted etc in the past, but of course that doesn't mean that it's definitely not harmful - I've seen birds nesting in various sheds and other wooden structures where they're definitely pressure treated and all the chicks survive so it's a difficult one, for sure. Best wishes, Joel

[@greycatblue]

Maybe we should be researching the toxins which are in the ptt, take the advice of the RSPB, and not put our birds at unnecessary risk ?

[@dogproofwildlifegardening3164]

Great video again 👍 Even the local wildlife know who you are now and want to get in the act on your videos!😆

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

😁 could you see how tempted I was to go outside? it was pretty late by then and I'd been on the job since 8am, no time to pause video and start again, but a lovely back drop nonetheless ;) Best wishes, Joel

[@UkAmphibians]

Perfect I’ll be making some of these 🐸💚🐸

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Really quite simple - there's no need for fancy boxes, they just want somewhere safe, warm and sheltered from the rain and wind - I've already seen one egg laid in the box in the garden and the male Robin has been feeding the female :)

[@UkAmphibians]

@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton that’s brilliant we get quite a few robins in the garden they love the live mealworms I feed the amphibians 🐸💚🐸

[@AllGrowing]

Very helpful, thanks! Where is the other bird box video?

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Hi there - thank you, really appreciated. I know it's there somewhere, try this link to all the videos on the channel, it should be pretty close to the Robin one: kzbin.infovideos You'll get to see all the other videos this way, that don't appear on the channel page - best wishes, and thanks again for your support - Joel

[@johnlewis9745]

Nice box. I use a hinge for the bottom. It’s simple to open it for cleaning. I also drill four holes in it for drainage. This is not a criticism but something I thought might be helpful.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thank you :) I usually would drill the holes in the bottom, I did for the bluetit boxes and am sure I did for the Robin ones but maybe didn't explain it or didn't do it for this one, but as you say, this is highly recommended :) Good idea re the hinges too. Appreciate your help here - best wishes, Joel

[@johnlewis9745]

@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton Glad to have been of help. Thank you.

[@briangalyer5969]

Hi Joel, up to last year I had about 12 different varieties of wild birds visit me. I looked out the window and saw a hawk sitting on the fence, since then all I get are a few sparrows, a couple of pigeons and a robin visit me

[@AllGrowing]

Hi Joel! Also, I have red squirrels in the pine trees nearby - I might have to add some guard piece to the box? Thanks

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Good idea - I am pretty sure, like grey squirrels they will take advantage of both eggs and chicks unfortunately - I remember seeing someone fashion a great "half-moon" shaped protector, like half a hanging-basket really, but out of a double layer of chicken wire, far enough away so that the Robin could enter and exit through the holes but the squirrel couldn't get it's paws to :) Hope this helps, and thanks for your support - Joel

[@AllGrowing]

@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton Great idea, thanks! As all this is new to me and not being a carpenter or such, I'm sure I can do this.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

@@AllGrowing Absolutely you can :) As long as they birds only can enter and exit, you're on to a winner - remember it's not aesthetics but practicality, I've seen Robins nesting in old wellington boots, watering cans... I did read once that the RSPB said that these highly decorated "novelty" birdboxes, fashioned like caravans etc (!) were being watched more by Magpies as they had cottoned on to their use....! Best wishes, and best of luck - Joel

[@darrenrogers2487]

I had a Robin nest it a big uphill slope in my back garden in the ground cover by ivy and they had 2 chick's any both survived

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

They will choose all kinds of unexpected areas, I have seen them nest in builders "bulk ton bags" before and even on old tractor engines on farms :) They sure would appreciate a nice secure box too, but your garden is already proving great habitat it seems - hope you're having a good weekend, best wishes - Joel

[@briangalyer5969]

Can you help me, I have a Linnet visit me and I am thinking of a nest box for it. what type would be suitable and would they use it ? I have checked on line but cannot find any information.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Hi there Brian :) Apologies for the delay, just catching up with everyone after a busy few weeks. I've not seen any specific Linnet boxes but this might be because in the countryside they prefer nesting in hedging and scrubland and particularly favour "thorned" shrubs such as gorse and where there is an abundance of seed, hence them being a farmland bird. It is great that the Linnet is visiting your garden and may well utilise it in Spring and bring a "mate" with it if there is habitat to nest in - now is a good time to plant hedging etc and those spiny shrubs that they prefer, they do indeed nest in gardens if the habitat is right. If you wanted to send an email across with a few photos of the garden I am happy to help further with recommendations - you can reach me on [e-mail] - I hope this helps, a few bare-root shrubs will probably cost less than a bird-box :) Best wishes, Joel

[@YidSpur]

What size opening did you leave at the front. Is a 100 mm gap correct.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Yes it’s 100mm Tony. Hope that helps and good luck making one (or 5!😉)

[@Crina-LudmilaCristeaAuthor]

Nice!🤗

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thank you Crina-Ludmila - appreciated :)

[@mokedokie]

Always allow for drainage when building bird boxes.

[@beakfordclakington1337]

feel like ma brother owl was telling you to not tell people to check if its their wall... but to basically get on with feeding themi info on how to make a BOb box... but i dunnoo maybe i misread it. but thanks for showing how to make a box v

[@wendyrodenbaugh9340]

Hi! I literally stumbled on your yt video and until I can get some wood to make one of these, what else could I put out on the roof for momma bird? She looks to be giving birth literally any day lol, and I think her bird's nest blew away or something because I don't see one anywhere unless it's in the gutter (could be👍). Thank you and love fellow animal lovers👍💯

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Hi Wendy - so glad you have discovered the channel, there are lots of helpful videos here. Unfortunately, without knowing what species the bird is it will be difficult to recommend which type of nesting place she'll prefer, it could well be in the gutter - it's probably best to try to identify what type of bird she is first - let me know! Best wishes - Joel

[@spencersanderson1894]

Seen this so I made one today from some spare wood, it’s not the best but I think it will do the job well!

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Birds aren't fussy - they don't need teapot or caravan styled boxes, just somewhere similar to what nature would give, and these boxes might be plain, but they're everything they need :) So glad it inspired you, bet you don't stop at one! Best wishes, Joel

[@spencersanderson1894]

@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton haha that’s exactly what I thought, yeah you’re right and I’m hoping a robin will come and take up residency! And yes thank you for that, I will try make some more if I can find some suitable wood but I don’t have much space for them, will try my best though! Best wishes!

[@johntate5050]

Aren't the chemicals used in pressure treated timber harmful to birds?

[@Patty-qd1lz]

Wish you did it in inches for us old folks!

[@owenhollifield5201]

👍

[@jimtaylor3693]

I'm a dumb American. I don't do mm. But live the nest. Maybe will try to make a couple

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Hi Jim - sorry for the delay! Been away in Scotland and just trying to catch up. I hope the video is helpful and that you are able to make some, let me know how you get on - you may well surprise yourself with your unknown talents! :) Best wishes to you - Joel

[@nickdunbar2967]

Cheers Joel. 15 mins eh??

[@battleguybarry5973]

👌👌👌

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thank you Peter - appreciated

[@biffoswilly]

So you have made it impossible to clean it out as its all nailed

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Not really - it's a Robin Box, pretty easy to maintain with the gap available... sorry to disappoint if you're unable to do this - screws work fine.

[@ozzietadziu]

The chemicals used to pressure treat lumber is often poisonous to young birds.

[@mohammedkhairy3609]

I will be thankful if you checked your email & Instagram DM

[@darrenrogers2487]

Why don't you use glue please m8

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Hey Darren, you can use glue if easier, but do check that it's "wildlife friendly" - aliphatic resins are best for gluing - gorilla glue, although it's a great glue, will need clamping or a screw in. Caulking can be used as well - I hope this helps :) Best wishes, Joel

[@beakfordclakington1337]

no offence... but the most important part (arguably) is the measurements mate. as always on yourube maybe... is needlessly ambiguous and un-user-freindly/ counter intuitive. But i will look at BTO measurements maybe. But please stay on the dimensions. why not just explain them. So easy to explain axes and terms more logically. sorry if its bringing up old haunting memeories of compl school here in england. maybe im grumpy today, i dunno God speed anyway mate