Details

Supplier: Green and Blue

Country of origin: Cornwall, UK

Full instructions are provided with the birdball

Contents:

Each Birdball is supplied with stainless steel wire (1m long), a tree protector and detailed instructions. Dimensions: 180mm Diameter. Entrance hole 25-28mm. Slipcast in clay. Stainless steel wire.

FACTS

More about Birdball: Gavin and Kate established their design partnership Green and Blue in 2004 from their premises in Cornwall. They have worked as designers in London, New York, Paris and Japan for Dyson, BMW, Mini, Rolls Royce and Diageo.

2005 They launched their first product Birdball at the Urban garden show in London. Birdball is exhibited at 100% design and wins blueprint award for best contribution to show with Hidden Art

Sustainability

Green and Blue care about the environment and try our best to make sure the things they design and make are made in the most environmentally-responsible way possible.

They are working with The Carbon Trust to better understand how they can improve their day to day business activities and grow responsibly

TOP TIPS

Siting

Siting a box often depends upon the particular bird you want to attract, but as a general rule for garden birds follow the guidelines below:

• Erect the box in autumn/winter to allow the birds' time to adjust to it
• Site the box 1.6-5m (5-16ft) above the ground for best access for the birds and as a deterrent for many predators
• Position the box with an easterly aspect between north and south-east to avoid direct sunlight, wind and rain. The early morning sun helps to warm up the box on cold days
• Keep the box away from direct feeding areas i.e. bird tables; the presence of rival birds may reduce the chance of it being used
• Avoid siting boxes too close together due to rivalry - except with House Sparrow boxes, as they nest in colonies
• It is important to remember that boxes are not always used immediately - be patient! (If a box hasn't been used after three breeding seasons it may well be worth moving it!)

Building the Nest

The basic purpose of any nest is to keep the eggs safe and warm. To do this a variety of nesting materials are chosen for their binding and insulating properties. Each nest is an intricate work of art - an amazing feat when you consider that they have only their beak to work with!

Materials from mud to feathers, twigs to moss are used to strengthen the nest. More unusual materials used over the years have been tin foil, coloured wool, garden twine, cat hair and toffee wrappers!

Egg Laying & Hatching

Once the nest is complete the eggs will be laid. Clutch sizes vary from species to species but an average for a garden bird is three to five eggs.

Once these eggs have hatched, the birds find themselves working constantly for the benefit of their young. This is an excellent time to observe the birds as they spend the majority of their time going in and out of the box.

Threats to the Box

Nesting birds are particularly vulnerable to harsh weather, predators and even humans in some instances. Place nest boxes in a thorny bush to deter cats, woodpeckers, squirrels, jays and magpies. If you have a Hole Nest Box you can add a Nest Box Plate or Nest Box Guardian to the box. This gives the entrance extra protection from predators without deterring the nesting birds.

Maintenance

Cleaning the box after the young have fledged will encourage repeat visitors. Some species, such as the Tree Sparrow, are late nesters so it is best to leave any cleaning until October. If you can't remove the nest cleanly, scrape out the remains. Where parasites are present we recommend washing the box out with hot water. Take care when opening boxes as they could be used by species other than birds