Cosy homes for birds: brilliant bird houses for your garden

Adding a bird box to your garden will help provide a safe environment for nest building, and our top ten colourful, funky bird houses are pretty as well as practical. When choosing a site for the box, make sure it’s securely fixed to a solid surface and there’s a clear flight path to the entrance. It should be sheltered from rain, wind and strong sunlight, and positioned at least a couple of metres from the ground to help deter predators.

1. Bird house, Idyll Home

This simple bird house is made from FSC wood with a metal roof. Personalise it by painting or staining it, or even adding your own design of flowers, birds, zebras…the birds won’t mind. £14.50 from Idyll Home.

2. Eva handpainted birdhouse, Oscar and Eve

Here’s an unusual avian abode that’s already been handpainted for you, in Kashmir. This pretty Eva nesting box will brighten up a dull corner of the garden, and is available in red, green and blue. £14.95, available from Oscar and Eve.

3. Thoughtful Gardener bird house, Wild and Wolf

A pretty wooden bird house from the Thoughtful Gardener collection by Wild and Wolf, featuring lovely vintage illustrations and the words ‘house for birds’, will give your local feathered friends a home to be proud of. £21.25, available from Berry Red.

4. Mr Birdee nest box, Clare Loves

This unusual nest box is designed for all manner of small garden birds.  Made from high quality birch plywood from sustainably managed forests, it arrives flat packed and assembly is straightforward.  £19 from Clare Loves.

5. Victorian house bird box, Lindleywood

Lindleywood are a British company based in Lincolnshire, who design and make a wide of beautiful, quirky bird boxes. They’re ideal for gifts as they can be personalised and matched to your recipient. We love this Victorian house, complete with front door and bay window. £55, available from Lindleywood.

6. Bird house, Orla Kiely

A striking and stylish wooden birdhouse, suitable for the very chicest of chaffinches or trendiest of thrushs. Decorated in Orla’s signature stem design, it has a hanging loop on the back for fixing and a practical side opening for cleaning. £25 from Berry Red.

7. Sylvester bird box, Red5

Birds will always trust their instincts rather than appearances, and know they can safely fly into the ‘cat’s mouth’ with this quirky bird box. Made from durable marine quality plywood with good insulation properties, it’s designed to be warm in winter and cool in summer. £19.95 from Red5.

8. New England nesting box, Laura Ashley

A simple white-painted nesting box with shingled roof in the New England style, this nesting box would look lovely anywhere in the garden. Was £26, now £18.20 in the sale at Laura Ashley.

9. Pub bird box, Lindleywood

Here’s another pick from Lincolnshire-based company Lindleywood – this cute little pub. An ideal gift, this is one local hostelry you’ll be happy to have nearby. £59, available from Lindleywood.

10. Copper roofed bird house, Berry Red

Designed especially for members of the tit family of birds, this wooden birdhouse has a copper roof which will fade to a delicate verdigris over time.  With a side opening for winter cleaning, it’s made from gently stained, treated wood to withstand outdoor life.  £20, available from Berry Red.

By Sara Walker

 

 

 

By Sara Walker.