Professionals: Revolutionary design utilizing strong high-insulating materials. Quick access for cleansing. Accessible in a variety of types, colors and designs. 10 yr assure.
Cons: A bit on the heavy aspect… though as soon as in situ that’s not likely a difficulty and the load really makes the field extra secure. Not 100% positive of the eco-credentials of the concrete component of the fabric used.
Worth: €24.99
The Woodstone vary of nest packing containers by Vivara/CJ Wildlife gives an revolutionary twist on conventional picket nest field designs. Constructed from a novel mixture of concrete and pure wooden fibres, these packing containers are sturdy, long-lasting and supply excellent insulating properties — making for happier birds and extra profitable broods.
Score: Extremely Really helpful
Woodstone® Seville 28mm Nestbox Full Assessment
Nest packing containers are available in all types of sizes and shapes, 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 really revolutionary with regards to nest packing containers. So I used to be intrigued after I obtained one among CJ Wildlife Eire’s new Woodstone nestboxes to evaluate on the location.
This was in contrast to any nest field I’d ever seen.
Woodstone packing containers are solid 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 suppose 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, blended with sawdust.
The result’s a fabric that’s sturdy, hard-wearing, has excellent insulating properties and is breathable. That ticks lots of the proper packing containers for the proper 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. A great nest field ought to keep cool sufficient on hot-summer days, and retain warmth when it’s cooler outdoors, or when mum or dad birds are away foraging.
Wooden does an incredible job of that, which is why the overwhelming majority of nest packing containers in the marketplace are manufactured from wooden. The one drawback with wooden is that it doesn’t final, notably within the Irish local weather. As a result of you’ll be able to’t actually deal with nest packing containers with probably dangerous/poisonous preservatives, picket packing containers can deteriorate shortly. You’ll get just a few seasons out of them, possibly 4 when you’re fortunate, however then you definitely’ll have to interchange them.
Woodstone packing containers are totally different. They don’t deteriorate or degrade, gained’t rot, are impervious to the Irish local weather, and, in fact, in contrast to picket nest packing containers, they’re impenetrable to predators. In addition they are available in a variety of sizes and shapes, a choice of colors, and with totally different entrance choices to swimsuit totally different chook species. There are even speciality Woodstone packing containers for species like swifts, home martins and even kingfishers.
So in concept, Woodstone nest packing containers make sense. However what about in observe?
Utilizing Woodstone nest packing containers.
The very first thing to notice is that this stuff are heavy. They’ve a big heft, so that you’ll have to ensure 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). Because of its weight, the nest field stays put, even in sturdy winds, so there’s no want for added fixings.
For cleansing, the entrance panel is removable. You merely rotate the 2 steel fasteners anticlockwise, and take away the entrance plate, giving quick access to the physique of the nest field.
Conclusion
This Woodstone Seville 28mm nest field has changed a picket nest field that had seen significantly better days right here at IWHQ. It’s been up a couple of month, seems to be nice, and has proven no indicators of in poor health results from the wind and rain of an Irish January and February. Thus far there have been no guests, nevertheless it’s nonetheless somewhat 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 on the lookout for a nest field improve, or only a new nest field that can stand 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.
