Execs: Progressive design utilizing strong high-insulating materials. Easy accessibility for cleansing. Out there in a variety of types, colors and designs. 10 12 months assure.
Cons: A bit on the heavy aspect… though as soon as in situ that’s not likely a problem and the burden truly makes the field extra secure. Not 100% certain of the eco-credentials of the concrete ingredient of the fabric used.
Worth: €24.99
The Woodstone vary of nest containers by Vivara/CJ Wildlife presents an modern twist on conventional picket nest field designs. Constructed from a novel mixture of concrete and pure wooden fibres, these containers are robust, long-lasting and supply excellent insulating properties — making for happier birds and extra profitable broods.
Score: Extremely Beneficial
Woodstone® Seville 28mm Nestbox Full Assessment
Nest containers are available in all types of styles and sizes, however they’re all a lot the identical. 4 partitions, a roof, a ground and both an entrance gap or open entrance to permit entry to potential residents. It’s uncommon to see something actually modern in relation to nest containers. So I used to be intrigued once I obtained considered one of CJ Wildlife Eire’s new Woodstone nestboxes to assessment on the location.
This was in contrast to any nest field I’d ever seen.
Woodstone containers are forged from what seems to be cement or concrete, however a better look reveals there’s extra happening right here. The fabric is definitely comprised of (and I assume the clue is within the identify) a intelligent mixture of concrete and sustainable FSC licensed wooden fibres. In different phrases, it’s made out of concrete, combined with sawdust.
The result’s a fabric that’s robust, hard-wearing, has excellent insulating properties and is breathable. That ticks a whole lot of the fitting containers for the right nest field. A super nest field has to maintain birds… and their eggs and chicks, dry and at a temperature that doesn’t fluctuate an excessive amount of by the breeding season. An excellent nest field ought to keep cool sufficient on hot-summer days, and retain warmth when it’s cooler outdoors, or when dad or mum birds are away foraging.
Wooden does an ideal job of that, which is why the overwhelming majority of nest containers available on the market are manufactured from wooden. The one downside with wooden is that it doesn’t final, significantly within the Irish local weather. As a result of you possibly can’t actually deal with nest containers with doubtlessly dangerous/poisonous preservatives, picket containers can deteriorate rapidly. You’ll get just a few seasons out of them, perhaps 4 in the event you’re fortunate, however then you definately’ll have to exchange them.
Woodstone containers are completely different. They don’t deteriorate or degrade, received’t rot, are impervious to the Irish local weather, and, in fact, in contrast to picket nest containers, they’re impenetrable to predators. Additionally they are available in a variety of styles and sizes, a choice of colors, and with completely different entrance choices to go well with completely different fowl species. There are even speciality Woodstone containers for species like swifts, home martins and even kingfishers.
So in principle, Woodstone nest containers make sense. However what about in follow?
Utilizing Woodstone nest containers.
The very first thing to notice is that this stuff are heavy. They’ve a major heft, so that you’ll must be sure you repair them securely. Fortunately, they arrive with a tree-friendly chrome steel hook that merely screws in, and the nest field hangs simply from that (there’s additionally a wall-plug included if you wish to connect it to a wall). Due to its weight, the nest field stays put, even in robust winds, so there’s no want for extra fixings.
For cleansing, the entrance panel is removable. You merely rotate the 2 metallic fasteners anticlockwise, and take away the entrance plate, giving easy accessibility to the physique of the nest field.
Conclusion
This Woodstone Seville 28mm nest field has changed a picket nest field that had seen a lot better days right here at IWHQ. It’s been up a couple of month, seems to be nice, and has proven no indicators of unwell results from the wind and rain of an Irish January and February. Thus far there have been no guests, nevertheless it’s nonetheless a bit early but. A pair of blue tits used the earlier nest field in the identical location yearly, so I’ve excessive hopes they’ll take up residence on this upgraded des-res as soon as the breeding season kicks in.
If you happen to’re searching for a nest field improve, or only a new nest field that can face up to the rigours of the Irish local weather for a decade or extra, take a look at the Woodstone vary on the Birdfood.ie web site.