Roofs for wildlife

House martin at nest in barn

House sparrows, starlings, house martins and swifts depend on buildings for nest sites. The last two species are almost completely dependent on them. Roofs are also important habitats for roosting bats.

Opportunities for birds to share your house are greatest in older properties. Modern building techniques and renovation materials can prevent their access, unless you provide specific opportunities. There are five steps for safeguarding existing nest sites or creating new ones:

Where possible, leave existing nest holes alone. Work around them when carrying out repairs and renovations .
If this is not possible, fit an internal nest box behind the replacement material. Position the box and make a hole in the new material at the same location as the original nest site.
Create new sites by making appropriately sized holes in the existing fascias and soffits.
Utilise the existing roof or fascia design to create new nest sites.
Fitt internal nest boxes in new builds or extensions.
If none of the above are possible, use externally fitted nest boxes.

Last modified: 18 October 2007

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