An easy to make, simple nest box that’s made from free materials
Sparrow nest box using an old pair of work boots and pallet wood.
Sparrows are often over shadowed by their more colourful brethren, but it’s the sparrows lively chirping that often cheers us up throughout the day.
Sparrows are friendly little birds who like to nest near one another, so I designed this nest box just for them…
You’ll need an old pair of work boots and a couple of lengths of pallet wood or similar, 125mm x 15mm (5″ x 5/8″) is ideal. Around 1.5m (5′) should do it although you’ll need another half meter (20″) in exposed locations for an extra set of roofing boards.
Take one pair of worn out work boots and tie up the laces nice and tight,
Find something that is a snug fit into the ankle of the boot to act as a template for the front door.
Place your template object onto a nice piece of your pallet wood and draw around it twice. It helps if you have a magic pencil like mine….
Drill a 32mm (1 & 1/4″) hole in the top half of each circle whilst they are easy to clamp to your bench. The bottom of the hole should be around the middle of the circle. Remember to drill half way through and then flip them over and finish off from the other side for good holes. Then carefully cut the circles out using a jigsaw or a coping saw.
Drill a small hole underneath the large hole, this one is 6mm (1/4″) for a stick perch. Individual ones are fine, or go for a ‘communal’ one, made by bending a green stick between the two holes.
Push the circles into the boot top and pin in place with 4 small tacks or screws. Make sure the large hole is at the top and central, although the sparrows are not too fussy!
Next up, make the back out of pallet wood, as wide as the boots and a little longer. Cut the tops at 45 degrees for a square look.
Glue everything together and pop a few pins through the roof planks into the back to hold everything tight.
Next is to drill a 3mm (1/8th”) hole in the sole of the boot opposite the large hole in the wooden insert. Note, this may be tricky as many safety boots have steel insoles so make sure your drill bit is sharp!
Pop a 38mm (1 & 1/2″), screw through a washer (greater holding power) and then screw it into the hole you just drilled, (adjust screw length according to the boots heel thickness).
Position the boots onto your wooden backing piece and gently screw them in place. Now you can glue in your perch or perches.
To make hanging your sparrows nest box easier screw a short piece of metal banding (or something similar) to the back of your box, avoiding the joint between the pieces. Then just pop it over a nail or screw, up underneath your eaves or other sheltered location.
Let me know how you get on with yours, especially if you’re lucky enough to get some resident sparrows!
Stay well
Ian
p.s. I should say that I made this to go under our overhanging eaves, so it will get no weather. If you want to put yours out in the open or in an exposed position I would add another pair of pallet planks on the roof to completely cover the boots and give the outside a coat or two of animal friendly water repelling protection.
Comments 1
I am going to to make two of these this week.
Thank you
Jo (UK)