How to make a D.I.Y. bird nesting box

To get started on your D.I.Y. project make sure you get 15mm plywood, it's considered the minimum thickness to use for a nesting box. Once your timber is cut, label each piece so that you know where it will be used. Refer to the cut list for measurements.

Here's out cut list:

• Base: 200mm x 224mm
• Sides: 200mm x 500mm x 2
• Front and back: 200mm x 500mm x 2
• Top guard: 200mm x 280mm
• Front guard: 200mm x 270mm
• Triangular side guards: 282mm x 200mm x 345.72mm x 2

And below, you'll find the tools and materials you need to complete this project.

On the timber that'll be used for the front of the nesting box, measure and mark where you want to cut the entrance. According to our plans, we cut an 80mm hole centred on the front panel, 440mm up from the bottom.

Once you've marked where you want the entrance to be, clamp the wood to the edge of the workbench. Use a drill with a hole saw to cut out the entrance.

To make the ladder straight, draw lines across the front of the box from the top and the bottom of the drilled holes. Clamp the wood to the workbench and use the jigsaw to cut out the ladder. Sand back any rough edges.

To make sure rain runs off the nesting box, the back panel needs to slope forward. Do this by placing several timber offcuts on top of each other. Clamp the panel to the workbench and use the nail gun to secure the stack of offcuts about 50mm down from the top edge of the back panel.

Stand the base up and to help support it, clamp a piece of timber to it. Line up one of the side panels against the base. Use tape to keep the edges flush. Use the nail gun to attach the base to the sides.

Repeat the above process to attach the side, back and front panels to the base. Also use the nail gun to attach each panel to the one next to it.

Lay one of the pieces of timber for the lid on its side and clamp it to a piece of wood for support. Line the other piece of the lid so it's flush with the edge. Use tape to secure them. Then use the nail gun to join the two pieces together.

Draw a diagonal line from one corner of the timber for the lid to the other. Clamp it to the workbench. Use the jigsaw to cut it.

Put the nesting box lid on its side, line-up the guard with the top edges of the lid. Use the nail gun to attach the guard to the lid. Repeat this process to attach the second guard to the other side of the lid.

Place the lid on top of the nesting box, flush with its back. Place a hinge in the middle of the lid. Use the drill and screws to attach the lid to the box.

Cut a piece of wire so that it's long enough to wrap around the tree you want to attach the nesting box to. Slide the wire through a length of hose long enough to wrap around your tree. Make a loop at each end of the wire and clamp it down. Attach a spring to one end of the fixing. This will allow the fixing to stretch as the tree grows.

Use spray paint to paint the nesting box. Camouflage colours will help it to blend into the environment. You can also make leaf patterns by putting a leaf on the nesting box and spray painting over it.

Use the drill to attach a saddle clip to one side of the nesting box, near the back. Attach the fixing before to secure the saddle clip. Repeat this on the other side of the box.