In addition to all the nest boxes and all the work to stop birds from hitting our windows, we have also installed a few simple shelters in various spots to provide extra cover for our avian friends. I ordered roost boxes from Duncraft, from whom I’ve also ordered many of our latest nest boxes. Unfortunately they shipped out the wrong ones–instead of nice long ones, I got some shorties. Oops.
Duncraft quickly remedied the problem by shipping out the larger ones I had ordered, and as a bonus they told me to keep the two smaller ones, which I put up under the eaves. The idea was to stop birds from roosting in uncomfortable spots, and while they do not get used all the time, we know they are being used somewhat regularly from the amount of dried poop on the platforms.
The longer boxes I ordered were then put up on the beams under the eaves of the north side of my office. They are intended to give birds safe spots from marauding hawks, but they aren’t used often.
There are other such shelters that do see a lot of use. Based on the amount of droppings, the small platform on the east side of the garden shed and the longer roosting box near the shed door see quite a bit of activity. The long shelter outside the west window of my office is very popular both day and night.
While the wild birds here have lots of shelter options, we know from experience that they like to roost under the eaves and often atop light fixtures, especially at night, so providing extra options hopefully helps a few out. If nothing else, it helps us feel we’re making a tiny difference in their lives.