[Home]  [Features]  [News]  [Links & Refs]  [Galleries]  [Contributors]  [Free stuff]  [About Space For Nature]  [Site Search]

The author of this book, Chris du Feu, is probably the authority on bird nesting boxes in this countryChris du Feu, is probably the authority on bird nesting boxes in this country. The book itself is a product of a long evolution; the lineage includes other books from the BTO also written by Chris. This new book bridges the gap between technical/scientific manual and popular guide and does it, to my mind, very effectivelyThis new book bridges the gap between technical/scientific manual and popular guide and does it, to my mind, very effectively.

The book is split into three major sections: 'nestbox construction and maintenenace', 'monitoring and conservation' and 'nestbox designs and species'. The section on nestbox construction is a very comprehensive overview covering the general principles of construction and, importantly, how to site and position boxes to maximise their chances of being usedThe section on nestbox construction is a very comprehensive overview covering the general principles of construction and, importantly, how to site and position boxes to maximise their chances of being used. Also covered here are aspects of maintenance and safety. The shorter section on monitoring and conservation describes how garden birdwatchers can contribute to population and ecological monitoring on a national scale particularly in relation to the BTO's Nest Record Scheme.

The third major section looks at all the various aspects of nestboxes in relation to each of 23 speciesThe third major section looks at all the various aspects of nestboxes in relation to each of 23 species - a very comprehensive list of all the birds remotely likely to use nest boxes in a garden. (The book even covers construction of house martin and swallow nest cups using papier mache!) The species are grouped according to the size and type of nestbox which is suitable for them. Each of these groupings starts with a good description of how the box is constructed, including an excellent exploded view and another showing how the wood can be marked up for cuttingEach of these groupings starts with a good description of how the box is constructed, including an excellent exploded view and another showing how the wood can be marked up for cutting. For each bird there is species-specific information relating to construction, positioning and so on, and a panel summarising details of their breeding biology (clutch size, typical breeding density etc). Every bird also has a time-line showing the typical part of the season when each of egg laying, incubation and feeding nestlings takes place - information which I have not seen summarised so neatly elswhere.

I really can't imagine that in the future I will anything other than this bookI've made a number of nestboxes over the years and I intend to make many more. Whereas before I always had to consult a number of sources to gather all the information I needed, I really can't imagine that in the future I will anything other than this book. I can remember searching the web to gather together various entrance dimensions required by different species; but here they are in this book - printed on the inside of the front cover!

I suspect that mine is going to be so well used over the next few years that nothing will save it from becoming dog-eared; and that, surely, is just about the highest recommendation you can give practical guide like thisAs with another recent book about garden birds from the BTO, The Garden Birdwatch Book, the production is generally excellent. The illustrations showing box construction and wood markup are very clear. A nice glossy cover and good heavy paper give the book a feel of quality but I suspect that mine is going to be so well used over the next few years that nothing will save it from becoming dog-eared; and that, surely, is just about the highest recommendation you can give practical guide like this.