Reflection on nest boxes: Uses and purpose

As a result of the use of nest boxes on new fronts such as PSF, it occurs to me to give a quick review of the trajectory of this type of element as a tool for improving biodiversity.

In Spain, this concept is beginning to be used by groups of ornithologists who are beginning to think about the environmental benefit of this activity (ornithologists influenced mostly by Anglo-Saxon societies).

In our country, in the first moments, the main activity was recreational, plain satisfaction of contemplating small fauna “at a glance”, not only birdlife uses nest boxes but other species such as reptiles, insects, small mammals, etc.

As the years passed and the decline of certain species, caused by different reasons, began to appreciate that with this small and innocent tool we can favor those species that, due to the action of human activities, have been left without the simple place to nest.

Another case that is beginning to be evaluated is environmental dissemination, and the installation of nest boxes is beginning to be used in awareness-raising programs, especially in schools, so that children become aware of what is happening in their living environment.

But during this period a very interesting thing happens (as a result of my reflection) and this activity is being infantilized as something only for children, apparently “this story” does not suit adults.

An error that those of us who have dedicated part of our time to these activities try to emphasize and correct, crossing the children's border, moving to the adult level, even companies. Of course this children's base is important, these children, most of them will have closed the gap environmental that many of their parents carry over from times when these subjects were only for hunting sense.

Finally, we have reached another very current stage, the use of these elements in infrastructures with objectives adapted to the new times and with effects that are not yet very clear for biodiversity.

Could we, therefore, use this technique in a professional environment to study the advantages it brings to biodiversity in new infrastructures such as a photovoltaic plant? The answer is yes.

The secret, I think, is not to compel, but to convince with positive arguments that make the conviction flow and that actions are not imposed at the stroke of law. I would propose to the promoting companies (many of their managers are adults we mentioned before, those who have the gap environmental (still in their awareness) the many benefits that the installation of nest boxes would bring, for insectivores and small birds of prey, in their facilities, even attaching guidelines for good practices in the construction of photovoltaic plants to the documents.

After this small reflection, which could be extended with many nuances, I wanted to give a brief overview of this topic.

Environmental Ideas is betting on this topic and I am going to give some guidelines from my personal experience that could be presented to promoters as an added value to their projects.

Reasons that can be attached to a project to install nest boxes for insectivores and raptors in a PSF

• Facilitate the recovery of vulnerable, even threatened species (added value to the project).
• Provide a safe breeding ground for species that naturally lack holes in the environment.
• Facilitate scientific studies, banding, assessment of faunal behavior within a PSF, etc.
• Use of a PSF as a biodiversity enhancer.
• Domino effect, being a precedent for this type of action for other companies.
• In the background, there is an environmental disclosure effect within the workforce and subcontracted companies, at all levels of rank, from workers to managers.

Types of boxes

There is a lot of bibliography in this regard, and it is enough to list the different types and shapes of nest boxes that should be considered for a project of these characteristics. This reflection only seeks to clarify issues of use.

As for the types of boxes, and since we are talking about projects of millions of euros, I would propose the use of prefabricated cement and sawdust nest boxes, they are more expensive, but much more durable, which is one of the great disadvantages of wooden boxes, although laminated wood is also a valid option.

Where and how

We tend to think that installing a nest box is a childish act that is worth anywhere, you spend the day of the activity and that's enough. Far from reality, to do a good job we have to take into account certain aspects.

• A small study of the habits and habits of the species aims to assess the best installation sites.
• Adequate orientation, especially facing south and the entrance of the box against the prevailing winds, as long as circumstances permit.
• Avoid ropes and plastic materials for attachment, which can easily degrade.
• For insectivorous birds, in the natural environment, they will be hung more or less four meters high using a pole, away from branches that serve as an entrance to predators, the boxes will go without a support stick at the entrance because they will use it to enter other unwanted species. In a PSF, it would be necessary to study the optimal places and the way of attachment
• For small birds of prey, both in the natural environment and in PSF, they must be fixed using different installation techniques (poles, cornices, houses in nearby ruins, etc.)

Francisco Bustamante, Biodiversity