28 February 2025 | Article

Enhance Birdlife with a Nestbox

A new report from SLU reveals that the number of trees aged 180-239 years has increased in forests outside formally protected areas. Although old trees alone don’t guarantee a rich habitat, their value increases as they age and decay. Over time, they become hollow—creating perfect homes for many forest species.

Despite the increased number of old trees, there is still a significant shortage of hollow trees for cavity-nesting birds. As a landowner, you can make a difference. A fun and easy way to help is by building nestboxes, and late winter is an ideal time to install them in the forest.

Various websites offer blueprints and tips for constructing nestboxes. However, the design is not crucial— birds aren’t picky and most nestboxes will work fine. Using reclaimed wood or leftover planks is perfect for this purpose. Just remember: keep the inside rough and unpainted, and avoid pressure-treated wood.

Birdhouses require some maintenance. Make sure they can be opened and place them where they are easy to find when it’s time to to tidy up before the next nesting season.

If you are looking for more inspiration, the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation provides excellent resources and inspiration for nestbox builders.

Photo: fightCOtwo