Anyone with a bird box in their garden urged to do one key thing before February

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

Households are being urged to get their bird boxes ready for the approaching month of February, as birds begin their search for nesting spots.

According to the experts at Gardeners' World, timely preparations are essential for supporting local birds during the breeding season - and have given anyone who has a nest box in their garden some key advice. "Clean out nest boxes to make way for prospecting birds, which usually start looking for places to raise their young in mid-February," GardenersWorld.com recommended.

This is essential to ensure a safe and hygienic environment for birds, with gardeners told to remove any old nesting materials, parasites or debris.

Furthermore, for those thinking of installing new nest boxes, positioning is crucial. The experts suggest placing them in areas shielded from harsh weather and direct sunlight, ideally facing northeast.