Construction – Hoopoe – A blog by nhbs

Material Guide: Woodcrete

Whether you have upcoming new developments or are looking to enhance existing construction projects with wildlife habitat, you may have come across the term ‘woodcrete’, ‘woodstone’, or a variation of the name. This hardy material is commonly used in bird and bat boxes and is often favoured for its longevity and cost-effectiveness. Here we take a closer look at woodcrete, its properties and manufacturing to help you make informed decisions when beginning new construction projects.

What is woodcrete?

Originally patented by Durisol and developed for the construction industry, woodcrete is a building material composed of cement, wood fibres and water. The material is referred to by a number of names, though they are almost identical in composition – woodstone is a trademark registered by Vivara Pro and woodconcrete is the term used by Schwegler, Faunus and Unitura, all suppliers of woodcrete bird and bat habitats.

A swift entering a built-in bird box — A built-in swift box that has been rendered over, leaving just the access point visible.

Woodcrete Properties

A long-lasting, durable material, woodcrete can last for decades. It is weather resistant, does not support fungal growth and unlike wood products, does not rot. It does not leak, warp or crack, making it the ideal long-lasting, secure material for wildlife habitats.

The breathability of the material reduces the risk of issues with condensation, helping to maintain a healthy environment for roosting inhabitants.

It has good insulative properties and creates a stable environment inside the box to shelter inhabitants from extreme temperatures – especially important for maternity boxes where young are resting.

More lightweight than concrete, with great durability and strength, this material is suitable for both built-in and mounted nest boxes. The rough inner surfaces provide texture for bats to cling to, and create a safer, more natural environment for nesting animals. Built-in boxes can also be incorporated into brickwork and can be rendered over to blend into the structure whilst providing habitat benefits for local wildlife.

Shows a series of bat boxes in different stages of installation. the left shows a bat box placed on top of new brickwork, the middle image shows an installed bat box that is flush with the brick and the third shows a bat box that has been rendered over with just the entrance hole visible — Woodcrete bat boxes during installation (left), built-in (middle) and rendered over (right)

Woodcrete Applications

Woodcrete is used as a construction material, as well as a variety of building and garden products, including artificial habitat products to support wildlife. These can include bat boxes, bird boxes, insect hides, bee bricks and hedgehog domes. Most commonly, woodcrete bat and bird boxes are available in built-in forms that are installed directly into the walls during the construction of new developments. These boxes are designed to cater to species subjected to habitat loss resulting from the development project itself, or urbanisation in the general area.

A built-in bat box before installation on the left, and installed on the right with only the entrance point visible. — A rendered built-in bat box

Manufacturing process

The material is made by chipping specially graded recycled waste wood and mineralising the chips to neutralise sugars. The chip is mixed with cement and water to create the woodcrete mixture, before being poured into moulds like regular concrete. These moulds are cured at high temperatures to ensure strength and weather-resistance and can take a considerable amount of time for the full curing process to take place.

The manufacturing of woodcrete products is a lengthy process which can cause longer lead times. We recommended ordering any woodcrete product as far in advance as possible to avoid delays.

If you have any questions about our range or would like some advice on the right product for you then please contact us via email at customer.services@nhbs.com or phone on 01803 865913.

Nest Boxes for New Build Projects

Nest boxes can be an excellent way to support biodiversity and incorporate additional habitat into new builds or redevelopments. Some nest boxes are specifically designed to cater to certain species, while others are more generalist and are suitable for multiple species. Generally, bird nest boxes consist of a large internal cavity and an access hole in various shapes or locations depending on the target species. They can be made from a variety of materials, however, woodcrete (or woodstone, woodconcrete) is generally preferred due to its robustness, longevity and advantageous thermal properties.

As low impact, wildlife-friendly construction gains momentum, more choice is added to the market each day, and the range is extensive. We are pleased to offer the largest range of integrated nest boxes in the UK. Here we provide an overview of some of our bestselling models and their benefits.

Integrated Swift Boxes

Swift populations have declined over recent decades due to changes in roof design and the choice of materials used to construct our homes and public buildings. This species typically uses existing holes, cracks and crevices to build their nests, especially those in old buildings, so built-in swift boxes are recommended to provide areas for these birds to roost. These boxes provide large internal cavities within the brickwork that can be accessed by horizontally elongated, often downward facing entrance holes. As colony breeders, it is recommended to site multiple swift boxes together, situated with a clear flight path. The boxes should be installed at a minimum height of 5m on a non-south facing wall and should have no less than 40cm between entrance holes.

Pro UK Rendered Build–in Swift Box (256322)

Can be rendered over
Woodstone material
Long lasting and durable
Built to match standard UK brick dimensions

Schwegler 1A (208155)

Installed flush to the wall or can be rendered over
Only the discrete entrance hole is visible after rendering
Long lasting and durable
Woodconcrete

Manthorpe Swift Brick (242167)

Long lasting PVC
Blends into brickwork
Available in six colours
Visible area is the size of a standard brick
Simple to install

WoodStone Build-in Swift Nest Box Deep (248390)

Woodstone material
Installed flush to the wall or can be rendered over
Long lasting and durable

Integrated Sparrow Boxes

House Sparrow populations have undergone significant declines in previous decades and remain in a vulnerable state in the UK. As colony nesters, this species would benefit from boxes that are installed close together, or a larger, terraced box with multiple connected chambers. These built-in sparrow boxes consist of a durable woodcrete housing with a discrete entrance hole and a large cavity chamber (or alternatively multiple chambers) for nesting.

Mario Dual Chamber Sparrow Terrace (260169)

Twin nesting chambers
Durable and robust woodstone design
Good insulative properties
Removable front plate for cleaning

Sparrow Box Smooth Brick (197663)

Made to order
Unobtrusive design
Can be supplied unfaced or with custom bricks
Durable and robust materials

Vivara Pro WoodStone House Sparrow Next Box (210670)

Durable and robust materials
Can be integrated into the build or fixed to external walls
Multiple chambers
Removable front plate

1SP Schwegler Sparrow Terrace (185100)

Durable and robust material
Can be integrated into the build or fixed to external walls
Removable front panel
Multiple chambers

General Purpose Integrated Bird Nest Boxes

Built-in bird boxes have inclusive designs to cater for a number of bird species, and usually consist of a woodcrete nest box with a cavity space and a discrete entrance hole. These self-contained concrete nests are unobtrusive and are typically installed flush to the wall or can be rendered over for more pleasing aesthetics.

Woodstone Build-in Open Nest Box (217194)

Woodstone
Can be rendered over or installed flush to the outside wall
Suitable for multiple species
Durable and long-lasting
Good insulative properties

Type 24 Schwegler Brick Nest Box (183018)

Woodconcrete
Can be rendered over or installed flush to the outside wall
Suitable for multiple species, including tits, sparrows and redstarts
Durable and long lasting

Vivara Pro Build-in Half Open Nest Box (257046)

Manufactured to match UK brick standards
Can be integrated into walls and rendered over, or can be mounted onto external walls
Suitable for multiple species

Custom Integrated Bird Boxes

Bird boxes typically consist of a solid box made from insulating materials with an internal nesting space. They can be custom faced with a chosen brick type (or existing brick, wood, stonework or rendered finish) to allow for discrete installation and a better blend into the existing facade.

Terraced Sparrow Box Custom Brick Facing (218686)

Made to order
Suitable for three breeding pairs
Unobtrusive design
Can be faced to match your building
Robust and long-lasting material

Starling Box Custom Brick Facing (197683)

Made to order
Large solid box made of insulating concrete
Unobtrusive design
Can be faced to match your building

For more information on bird boxes and how to choose them, read our Bird Boxes Buyers Guide.

Our full range of bird boxes can be found here.

If you have any questions about our range or would like some advice on the right product for you then please contact us via email at customer.services@nhbs.com or phone on 01803 865913.

Bat Boxes for New Build Projects

The range of integrated or built-in boxes designed for bats can be overwhelming. For new developments, or renovation projects, you may be searching for bat boxes to incorporate additional habitats into your build, and support species while providing new infrastructure. With an upturn in low impact, wildlife friendly construction, integrated bat boxes are becoming increasingly relevant in the construction sector. Bat boxes are designed to provide an appropriately sized, predator-free space for bats to roost or hibernate. They are often designed to be built-in to the building itself, whether this be roofing or brickwork and are unobtrusive, often hard to spot, and help to provide various species with a permanent roost.

There are 18 bat species in the UK, all of which use the same areas of buildings to roost in the absence of natural habitats – most commonly cellars, roofs and loose brickwork, among many more. In general, bat boxes should be placed between 3-6 metres high, in a sunny location with around 6-8 hours of direct sunlight. It is also best to avoid placing these in areas around artificial light. For built-in products, woodcrete (or woodstone, woodconcrete) is preferred due to its durability, longevity and good insulative properties.

Here we discuss integrated bat boxes, providing an overview of our selection of bat boxes and their benefits.

Types of Integrated Bat Boxes

Bat Tiles, Bricks and Panels

Tiles, bricks and panels provide bats with an access point to a suitable roosting space, whether this be within the roof, ridge tiles or a cavity area behind bricks and panels. They are designed to be incorporated into the build itself during construction or renovation and should be provided with suitable roosting cavities behind the access point, usually in the form of bat boxes or insulation-free cavity space.

Bat Access Brick (197697)

Made to standard brick size
Suitable for new builds or renovation
Available in multiple colours to cater to existing structures
Requires a cavity chamber

1FE Schwegler Bat Access Panel (183033)

Can be used to conserve existing roosts or create new sites
Made with woodcrete to ensure durability and breathability
Rot-proof
Can be painted or rendered over

Bat Access Tile Set (187127)

Made to order
Provides bats with an entrance to underfelt or open loft
Protection from heat extremes
Available in five traditional tile colours

Integrated Bat Boxes

Bat boxes are designed to cater for either crevice and cavity dwelling species through varying complexity or can occasionally be a hybrid design to encourage uptake from both groups. These self-contained roosts are unobtrusive and are typically installed flush to the wall or can be rendered over. Bat boxes can also be designed for hibernation and breeding, providing a well-insulated, larger space to accommodate breeding colonies and larger groups.

Integrated Eco Bat Box (232521)

Suitable for crevice or cavity species
Weatherproof
Long lasting and lightweight
Replaces 6 standard bricks
Made with recycled plastic

Vivara Pro Build-in WoodStone Bat Box (252139)

Can be rendered over
Discreet entrance hole
Modular design which can be connected in the facade
Long lasting, insulative woodstone material

1WI Schwegler Summer and Winter Bat Box (187994)

Suitable for year-round occupation
Suitable for maternity and roosting
Woodcrete has good longevity and insulative properties
Can be rendered over

1FR Schwegler Tube (178018)

Woodcrete
Suitable for rendering
Long lasting and durable
Discrete entrance hole
Suitable as a summer roost

Custom Bat Boxes

Bat boxes typically consist of a solid box made from insulating materials with an internal roosting space. They can be custom faced with a chosen brick type (or existing brick, wood, stonework or rendered finish) to allow for discrete installation and a better blend into the existing facade.

Habibat Bat Box 003 Custom Brick Blended Facing (205039)

Made to order
Blended facing
Insulative properties
Customisable brick facing and plinth to blend with existing brickwork

Habibat Bat Box 001 – Custom Brick Facing (193477)

Made to order
Insulative properties
Blended facing in brick to match building
Unobtrusive design

Ibstock Enclosed Bat Box ‘B’ (214595)

Made to order
Intended as a summer roosting space
Available in two sizes and three colours

Habibat 3S Bat Box (249968)

Made to order
Available in a variety of facings to suit any existing brick, wood, stonework or aa rendered finish
Insulative properties

External Bat Boxes

An alternative to integrated habitat boxes, externally mounted bat boxes can be attached to trees, fences, or buildings and are typically made of woodstone or woodcrete. These versatile boxes can be designed for summer roosting, hibernation, or maternity roosting, varying in size to accommodate different species.

2F Schwegler Bat Box (General Purpose) (174814)

Woodcrete
Summer roosting space
Removable front panel
Long lasting

Large Multi Chamber WoodStone Bat Box (246918)

Woodstone
Suitable for maternity and summer roosting
Also suitable as a hibernation box in mild winters
Long lasting
Removable front panel

Elisa Bat Box (259840)

Wood concrete
Long lasting
Suitable as a summer roost
Curved for a closer fit to trees

Vivara Pro WoodStone Bat Box (210820)

WoodStone
Suitable as a summer roosting space
Long lasting
Removable front panel

2FE Schwegler Wall-mounted Bat Shelter (Pack of 2) (190558)

Suitable for summer roosts or for winter hibernation quarters
Fixed to external walls
Long lasting

For more information on bat boxes and how to choose them, read our Bat Boxes Buyers Guide.

Our full range of bat boxes can be found here.

If you have any questions about our range or would like some advice on the right product for you then please contact us via email at customer.services@nhbs.com or phone on 01803 865913.

Bat Box Basics: A Guide

Whether you are planning a construction project, are in the middle of a new–build or are looking to update an existing structure, you may be exploring options for providing bat habitats. We have an extensive range of bat boxes available on our website, in a variety of formats and materials. Here we explore the different types, how they may be used and where they can be installed.

Bat Box Material Properties

Bat boxes are constructed with a variety of materials, each with differing properties.

Most commonly used for external boxes, wood is lightweight with good thermal properties for inhabitants. However, it does rot without treatment and therefore does not last as long as other materials.
Woodcrete (also named woodstone or woodconcrete) is a very durable material with exceptional thermal properties and is often the material of choice for built-in boxes. It can also be used externally and can last several decades once installed.
Eco-plastics are used to create lightweight boxes, typically designed for external use. They have good weather resistance and longevity, although less durability.
Concrete is exceptionally durable and is used for built-in boxes. It has good thermal properties but due to its weight, is unsuitable for external mounting.

Maternity Boxes

Typically larger in size with multiple internal chambers, maternity boxes are designed to support breeding colonies by providing a well-insulated roosting space for raising young.

These boxes are mostly made for external installation but are also available in a built-in format which is installed into the brickwork and can be rendered over.

Since these boxes are mostly available in an external form, they can be installed once construction has taken place. Built-in boxes should be fixed during the construction process and installed directly into the brickwork.

Example:

Improved Roost-Maternity Bat Box

#187787

An FSC certified crevice box, suitable for roosts or maternity groups.

Bat Tubes

Bat tubes are longer internal cavities with multiple sections or crevices. These are often made of woodcrete and are available in modular versions which can be connected in the facade allowing for side-by-side or a longer tower format.

These boxes come built-in and are incorporated into the building’s brickwork during exterior wall construction where they can be rendered over.

Example:

1FR Schwegler Bat Tube

#178018

A modular option available in multiple depths and styles for crevice and cavity species.

Bat Bricks

Constructed to industry standard size, bat bricks have a dome-shaped access hole to allow bats into a suitable cavity.

These products are designed to be incorporated into the brickwork of a building, whether this be a new build or an existing structure under renovation, and are available in standard colours enabling them to seamlessly blend into existing walls. When installing bat bricks, it is important to ensure that a chamber free from insulating material is available behind the access brick to allow bats to safely roost.

Example: 197697

Bat Access Brick

#197697

A standard-sized brick available in red, golden and brown colours.

Access Tiles and Panels

Similar to bat bricks, these tiles provide an access point to open roof space or the underfelt of the roof, allowing bats to roost in confined spaces beneath the tiles. They can be installed within the roof or ridge tiles during construction, or they may be used to replace tiles on existing structures, and are available in multiple colours to blend seamlessly into existing tiles.

Bat access panels are also available to provide bats access to a roosting site, and are particularly advantageous for renovation projects with existing roosting colonies. These panels can also be rendered over, and can be installed at any point during construction.

Access tiles and panels require an insulation-free cavity behind the product to provide roosting space.

Examples:

Bat Access Tile Set

#187127

This set includes three tiles available in five traditional roof tile colours.

1FE Schwegler Bat Access Panel

#180333

A woodconcrete access panel with an overall depth of just 8cm for easy integration.

Bat Box

These boxes are available as external or built-in designs and consist of a simple box with an entrance hole and varying interiors. Bat boxes can come in a range of forms, and can have one large, single cavity or a multi-chamber interior and can cater to both crevice and cavity-dwelling bats. There are also hybrid options, where a box is designed with cavities for multiple species, for example a box may cater to bats and Swifts.

Built-in boxes are designed to be installed among the brickwork and can be rendered over. External boxes can be mounted to trees, fences and buildings with the appropriate fixings. It is important to consider the weight of an external box before mounting, more lightweight boxes (made from wood or plastic for example) can be fixed to trees, but heavier woodcrete boxes should be fixed to a solid structure.

Examples:

Large Multi Chamber Woodstone Bat Box

#246918

A large multi-chamber box that is also suitable as a hibernation, maternity or summer roosting space.

Kiki Bat and Swift Hybrid Box

#261420

A hybrid box designed to support multiple species, including cavity and crevice dwelling species.

PRO UK Build-in WoodStone Bat Box

#256321

A maintenance-free woodstone box designed to work with UK brick dimensions.

Elisa Bat Box

#259840

Features a single internal cavity that is suitable as a summer roost.

Rocket box

Rocket boxes are large, pole-mounted habitats that provide a large roosting area over multiple chambers. Typically made with a plastic shell, these boxes allow for 360 movement and are available with both crevice and cavity designs.

Rocket boxes are external and do not attach to any part of the building. They are particularly useful when there are no suitable trees for external boxes, and a wall mounted box is undesirable. They have also been used to provide an alternative roosting site near building works.

Example:

Eco Rocket Bat Box

#242611

A pole-mounted bat box available in a cavity or crevice design.

For more information on bat boxes and how to choose them, read our Bat Boxes Buyers Guide.

Our full range of bat boxes can be found here.

If you have any questions about our range or would like some advice on the right product for you then please contact us via email at customer.services@nhbs.com or phone on 01803 865913.

Top 10 Bird Boxes for Walls and Fences

Welcome to the second in a series of three posts designed to help you choose the best bird box for your garden or other outdoor space.

This article includes a list of our top 10 bird boxes for positioning on a wall or fence. The first and third posts cover the best options for installing on a tree in a garden, park or woodland and for building into a new build or development.

For each box we have provided a quick guide to the material that it is made from, the dimensions, and the species that the box is suitable for. Follow the links provided for more information about the box, including pricing and availability, or contact our customer services team for more advice.

1. NHBS Wooden Bird Nest Box

• Made from: Softwood (FSC)
• Dimensions: 245 x 135 x 185mm
• Suitable for: Great Tits, Blue Tits, Coal Tits, Marsh Tits, Crested Tits

2. Vivara Pro WoodStone House Sparrow Nest Box (Double Chamber)

• Made from: Woodstone
• Dimensions: 160 x 290 x 210mm
• Suitable for: House Sparrows, Redstart, Spotted Flycatchers

3. Dual Chamber Sparrow Terrace

• Made from: Woodstone
• Dimensions: 360 x 220 x 180mm
• Suitable for: House Sparrows

4. Vivara Pro WoodStone Swift Nest Box

• Made from: Woodstone
• Dimensions: 245 x 380 x 265mm
• Suitable for: Swifts

5. House Martin Nests (Double Entrance)

• Made from: Woodstone and plywood
• Dimensions: 115 x 160 x 380mm
• Suitable for: House Martins

6. FSC Wooden Swift Box

• Made from: Softwood (FSC)
• Dimensions: 210 x 430 x 210mm
• Suitable for: Swifts

7. Eco Barn Owl Nest Box

• Made from: Recycled plastic and FSC timber
• Dimensions: 670 x 660 x 530mm
• Suitable for: Barn Owls

8. Ceramic Swallow Bowl

• Made from: Ceramic and FSC timber
• Dimensions: 125 x 202 x 125mm
• Suitable for: Swallows

9. Eco Small Bird Box

• Made from: Recycled plastic and FSC oriented strand board
• Dimensions: 260 x 170 x 170mm
• Blue Tits, Coal Tits, Marsh Tits, Great Tits, Crested Tits, Tree Sparrows, House Sparrows, Nuthatches and Pied Flycatchers (species depend on entrance hole size).

10. Vivara Pro Seville 32mm WoodStone Nest Box

• Made from: Woodstone
• Dimensions: 310 x 200 x 200mm
• Suitable for: Coal Tits, Blue Tits, Marsh Tits, Crested Tits, Redstart, Nuthatches, Pied Flycatchers, House Sparrows, Tree Sparrows

Browse our full range of nest boxes for external walls and fences.

The full range of nest boxes can be found in our online shop, as well as a useful nest box price list which can be downloaded as a pdf.

Top 10 Bird Boxes for New Builds and Developments

This is the final post in a three part series, designed to help you choose from our bestselling bird boxes. All of the boxes listed below are suitable for building into the masonry of a new build or development.

The previous two posts provide suggestions of boxes suitable for positioning on a tree in a garden, park or woodland, and for siting on a wall or fence.

For each box we have provided a quick guide to the material that it is made from, the box dimensions and the species that it is suitable for. Follow the links provided for full descriptions, pricing and availability, or contact our customer services team to chat about finding the box that’s right for your needs.

Schwegler 1SP Sparrow Terrace

• Made from: Woodcrete
• Dimensions: 245 x 430 x 200mm
• Suitable for: House Sparrows, Tree Sparrows

Vivara Pro WoodStone House Sparrow Nest Box (Double Chamber)

• Made from: WoodStone
• Dimensions: 160 x 290 x 210mm
• Suitable for: House Sparrows, Tree Sparrows

Dual Chamber Sparrow Terrace

• Made from: Wood-concrete
• Dimensions: 260 x 220 x 180mm
• Suitable for: House Sparrows

PRO UK Rendered Build-in Swift Box

• Made from: WoodStone
• Dimensions: 140 x 440 x 150mm
• Suitable for: Swifts

Manthorpe Swift Brick

• Made from: PVC and polypropylene
• Dimensions: 347 x 200 x 153mm
• Suitable for: Swifts

Woodstone Build-in Open Nest Box

• Made from: Woodstone
• Dimensions: 180 x 220 x 180mm
• Suitable for: Robins, wagtails and black redstarts

Woodstone Build-in Swift Nest Box Deep

• Made from: WoodStone
• Dimensions: 180 x 420 x 155mm
• Suitable for: Swifts

Schwegler Brick Nest Box: Type 24

• Made from: Woodcrete
• Dimensions: 235 x 180 x 180mm
• Suitable for: Great Tits, Blue Tits, Marsh Tits, Coal Tits, Crested Tits, Redstart, Nuthatches, Tree Sparrows and House Sparrows

Orlando Swift Box

• Made from: Wood concrete
• Dimensions: 350 x 220 x 180mm
• Suitable for: Swifts, House Sparrows, Starlings

Starling Box – Smooth Brick

• Made from: Concrete and brick
• Dimensions: 215 x 215 x 150mm
• Suitable for: Starlings, Tree Sparrows, Blue Tits, and Great Tits

Browse our full range of build-in nest boxes.

The full range of nest boxes can be found in our online shop, as well as a useful nest box price list which can be downloaded as a pdf.

Top 10 Bird Boxes for Trees and Woodland

So, you have the perfect space in mind for a bird box but don’t know which one to buy? No problem – this is the first in a series of three posts designed to help you make the right choice.

This article includes a list of our top 10 bird boxes for positioning on a tree in a garden, park or woodland. The following two articles will cover the best bird boxes for positioning on a wall or fence and for building into a new build or development.

For each box we have provided a quick guide to the material that it is made from, the dimensions of the box and the species that it is suitable for. Follow the links for more information about each item, or contact us to speak to one of our customer services advisors who can provide you with help in choosing the right product.

1. Schwegler 1B Nest Box

• Made from: Woodcrete
• Dimensions: 230 x 160 x 160mm
• Suitable for: Blue Tits, Coal Tits, Marsh Tits, Crested Tits, Great Tits, Nuthatches, Tree Sparrows, House Sparrows, Redstart (species depend on entrance size and shape).

2. NHBS Wooden Bird Nest Box

• Made from: Softwood (FSC)
• Dimensions: 245 x 135 x 185mm
• Suitable for: Blue Tits, Coal Tits, Marsh Tits, Crested Tits (species depend on entrance size).

3. Vivara Pro Barcelona WoodStone Open Nest Box

• Made from: Woodstone
• Dimensions: 240 x 190 x 175mm
• Suitable for: Wrens, Robins, Spotted Flycatchers, Pied and Grey Wagtails, Song Thrushes and Blackbirds.

4. Brecon FSC Nest Box

• Made from: Wood (FSC)
• Dimensions: 200 x 160 x 270mm
• Suitable for: Great tits, House Sparrows and Nuthatches.

5. Treecreeper FSC Nest Box

• Made from: Softwood (FSC)
• Dimensions: 130 x 350 x 125mm
• Suitable for: Treecreepers.

6. Small Bird Nest Box

• Made from: Plywood
• Dimensions: 300 x 130 x 150mm
• Suitable for: Blue Tits, Coal Tits, Marsh Tits, Treecreepers, Tree Sparrows, Great Tits, Crested Tits, Nuthatches and Pied Flycatchers (species depends on entrance size).

7. Schwegler 3S Starling Nest Box

• Made from: Woodcrete
• Dimensions: 280 x 190 x 200mm
• Suitable for: Starlings and overnight shelter for Woodpeckers.

8. Starling Nest Box

• Made from: Exterior grade plywood
• Dimensions: 510 x 160 x 180mm
• Suitable for: Starlings.

9. 2GR Schwegler Nest Box

• Made from: Woodcrete
• Dimensions: 510 x 160 x 180mm
• Suitable for: Nuthatches, Redstart, Tree Sparrows, House Sparrows, Pied Flycatchers, Blue Tits, Marsh Tits, Great Tits (species depends on entrance size).

10. Blackbird FSC Nest Box

• Made from: Softwood (FSC)
• Dimensions: 185 x 250 x 215mm
• Suitable for: Tree Sparrows, Great Tits, Blue Tits, Crested Tits, Pied Flycatchers.

Browse our full range of nest boxes for trees and woodland.

The full range of NHBS bird boxes can be found in our online shop, as well as a useful nest box price list which can be downloaded as a pdf.

Top 10 Bat Boxes for New Builds and Developments

Looking for a bat box but don’t know which one to buy? This article is the third in a three part series designed to help you to make the right choice. Here you will find our top 10 boxes for incorporating into the masonry of a new build or development. The previous two posts feature the best boxes for trees and woodland and for walls and fences.

For each box listed you will also find helpful information such as its dimensions and weight and the box type (e.g. whether it is for summer use, for hibernation or for access into an existing roost space).

The Glossary below provides a guide to the key terms used in the descriptions.

• Woodcrete/WoodStone: A blend of wood, concrete and clay which is very durable. It is also breathable and helps to maintain a stable temperature inside the box.
• Summer: Summer boxes are suitable for the warmer months but are less likely to be used over the winter.
• Hibernation: Designed to be larger and better insulated, hibernation boxes will provide a safe and warm space for bats over the winter.
• Maternity: Suitable for the formation of colonies and raising of young.
• Access: Provides an entrance to an existing roof space such as a wall cavity or loft.
• Crevice: Provides one or more narrow roost spaces. Species which prefer this type of box include common, soprano and Nathusius pipistrelle, Brandt’s and whiskered bats.
• Cavity: Provides a more spacious roost space. Bats such as brown long-eared, Daubenton’s and Natterer’s bats prefer cavity boxes.
• Large cavity: These boxes allow space for flight within the roost which is preferred by brown long-eared bats in particular.

Schwegler 1FR Bat Tube

• Made from: Woodcrete
• Dimensions: 47.5 x 20 x 12.5cm; 9.8kg
• Box type: Cavity, summer

Habibat Bat Box

• Made from: Concrete and brick
• Dimensions: 44 x 21.5 x 10.2cm; 9kg
• Box type: Crevice, summer

Vivara Pro Build-in Woodstone Bat Tube

• Made from: Woodstone
• Dimensions: 21 x 50 x 7.7cm; 6kg
• Box type: Cavity, summer, maternity (south or west facing), hibernation (north facing)

2FE Schwegler Wall-Mounted Bat Shelter

• Made from: Woodcrete
• Dimensions: 25 x 5 x 30cm; 2.5kg
• Box type: Cavity, access

Bat Access Tile Set

• Made from: Clay
• Dimensions: 25.5 x 16cm; 3.5kg
• Box type: Cavity/crevice, access

Bat Brick

• Made from: Brick
• Dimensions: 6 x 21.5 x 10cm; 1.9kg
• Box type: Cavity, access

PRO UK Build-in WoodStone Bat Box

• Made from: WoodStone
• Dimensions: 14 x 21 x 15cm; 6.7kg
• Box type: Crevice, summer

1WI Schwegler Summer and Winter Bat Box

• Made from: Wood-based concrete
• Dimensions: 54.5 x 34.5 x 9.5cm; 15kg
• Box type: Cavity, hibernation and maternity

Ibstock Enclosed Bat Box C: Small

• Made from: Concrete and brick
• Dimensions: 21.5 x 21.5 x 10.5cm; 6.7kg
• Box type: Crevice, summer

Habibat Bat Access Slate

• Made from: Slate
• Dimensions: 41.8 x 37.5 x 8cm; 1.3kg
• Box type: Large cavity, access

Browse our full range of build-in bat boxes.

The full range of nest boxes can be found in our online shop, as well as a useful nest box price list which can be downloaded as a pdf.

Top 10 Bat Boxes for Walls and Fences

Looking for a bat box but don’t know which one to buy? This article is the second in a three part series designed to help you to make the right choice.

Here you will find our top 10 boxes for installing on an external wall or fence. The first and third posts cover the best options for installing on a tree in a garden, park or woodland and for building into a new build or development respectively.

For each box you will also find helpful information such as its dimensions and weight and the box type (e.g. whether it is for summer use, for hibernation or for access into an existing roost space).

The Glossary below provides a guide to the key terms used in the descriptions.

1. Schwegler 1FF Bat Box

• Made from: Woodcrete and wood
• Dimensions: 43 x 27 x 14cm; 9.5kg
• Box type: Cavity; summer, maternity

2. Vivara Pro WoodStone Bat Box

• Made from: WoodStone
• Dimensions: 25 x 19 x 16.5cm; 4.5kg
• Box type: Cavity; summer

3. Schwegler 2FE Wall-Mounted Bat Shelter

• Made from: Woodcrete
• Dimensions: 30 x 25 x 5cm; 2.5kg
• Box type: Cavity, hibernation

4. Chavenage Bat Box

• Made from: FSC Wood
• Dimensions: 38 x 18 x 10cm; 1.2kg
• Box type: Cavity, summer

5. Schwegler 1WQ Summer & Winter Bat Roost

• Made from: Woodcrete
• Dimensions: 58 x 38 x 12cm; 22kg
• Box type: Crevice, hibernation and maternity

6. Improved Cavity Bat Box

• Made from: FSC Plywood
• Dimensions: 38 x 24 x 15cm; 1.5kg
• Box type: Cavity, summer

7. Large Multi Chamber WoodStone Bat Box

• Made from: WoodStone and wood
• Dimensions: 27.5 x 15 x 16cm; 4kg
• Box type: Crevice, summer, maternity, hibernation (mild winters)

8. Beaumaris WoodStone Bat Box: Midi

• Made from: WoodStone
• Dimensions: 39 x 29 x 6cm; 4.4kg
• Box type: Crevice, summer

9. Improved Roost Maternity Bat Box

• Made from: FSC Plywood
• Dimensions: 49 x 26 x 13cm; 6.6kg
• Box type: Crevice, maternity

10. Low Profile WoodStone Bat Box

• Made from: WoodStone
• Dimensions: 44 x 29 x 9cm; 4.7kg
• Box type: Crevice, summer

Browse our full range of bat boxes for external walls.

Top 10 Bat Boxes for Trees and Woodland

Schwegler 2F Bat Box front panel with one of its residents.

Looking for a bat box but don’t know which one to buy? This article is the first in a three part series designed to help you to make the right choice.

The following two blog posts will cover our bestselling boxes for walls and fences and for building into a new build or development.

Here you will find our top 10 boxes for installing on a tree, in a garden, park or woodland. For each box you will also find helpful information such as its dimensions and weight and the box type (e.g. whether it is for summer use, for hibernation or for access into an existing roost space).

The Glossary below provides a guide to the key terms used in the descriptions.

1. 2F Schwegler Bat Box

• Made from: Woodcrete
• Dimensions: 33 x 16 x 16cm; 4kg
• Box type: Cavity, summer

2. 2FN Schwegler Bat Box

• Made from: Woodcrete
• Dimensions: 36 x 16 x 16cm; 4.3kg
• Box type: Cavity, summer

3. Improved Crevice Bat Box (Double Crevice)

• Made from: FSC Plywood
• Dimensions: 33 x 16 x 10cm; 1.4kg
• Box type: Crevice, summer

4. Eco Kent Bat Box

• Made from: Recycled plastic, FSC wood
• Dimensions: 52 x 23 x 16cm; 4.5kg
• Box type: Crevice, summer

5. Chavenage Bat Box

• Made from: FSC Wood
• Dimensions: 38 x 18 x 10cm; 1.2kg
• Box type: Cavity, summer

6. 1FS Schwegler Large Colony Bat Box

• Made from: Woodcrete
• Dimensions: 44 x 38 x 38cm; 10kg
• Box type: Large cavity, hibernation and maternity

7. Double Chamber Bat Box

• Made from: FSC Wood
• Dimensions: 28 x 16 x 16cm; 1.6kg
• Box type: Crevice, summer

8. Vivara Pro WoodStone Bat Box

• Made from: WoodStone
• Dimensions: 25 x 19 x 16.5cm; 4.5kg
• Box type: Cavity, summer

9. Improved Cavity Bat Box

• Made from: FSC Plywood
• Dimensions: 38 x 24 x 15cm; 1.5kg
• Box type: Cavity, summer

10. Schwegler 1FW Bat Hibernation Box

• Made from: Woodcrete
• Dimensions: 50 x 38 x 38cm; 28kg
• Box type: Cavity, hibernation and maternity

Browse our full range of bat boxes for trees and woodland.

The full range of NHBS bat boxes can be found in our online shop, as well as a useful nest box price list which can be downloaded as a pdf.