THIS week is National Nest Box Week in which people are being encouraged to put up a nest box to help birds struggling to find a suitable nesting site for the breeding season. The week is organised by the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) which says potential nesting sites are disappearing due to the renovation of old buildings, the loss of woodland habitat and tidy gardens with a lack of suitable tree holes. Different types of nest boxes can provide homes for different types of bird. House sparrows need a small-hole nest box with a 32mm entrance but robins will use open-fronted nest boxes, preferably tucked away in a bit of cover. Tips: Don’t put your box in direct sunlight, this can cause the contents to overheat; don’t use a box with a perch as they can allow access to predators such as squirrels; and don’t place the box close to a bird feeder as visiting birds could disturb the nesting pair. A nest box can also provide data to scientists monitoring UK bird populations. Nest Box Challenge, which is free to join, involves regularly looking in your box and using an online form to report any eggs or chicks inside. Jonathan Warrin, of the BTO, says: ‘Anyone can find a space for a bird box, whether they have a garden or want to get permission to put up a box in their local park. Seeing birds raising chicks in the box is a great way for people, young and old, to connect with nature.’ Hazel Evans, Nest Box Challenge organiser at the BTO, said: ‘We need people with nest boxes to tell us what is happening in those boxes during the breeding season. So, if you have a nest box you can help.’ For more information, see www.bto.org/ volunteer-surveys/nbc or www.bto.org/aboutbirds/nnbw/buy-a-box