BBC Gardeners World Magazine https://www.gardenersworld.com/product-guides/nature Mon, 03 Aug 2026 15:00:17 GMT en hourly 1 The best bird feeders for your garden in 2026 https://www.gardenersworld.com/product-guides/nature/best-bird-feeders/ Mon, 03 Aug 2026 08:19:39 GMT https://www.gardenersworld.com/product-guides/nature/best-bird-feeders/ From RSPB approved to easy clean, recycled and squirrel proof, here's our pick of best bird feeders for your avian visitors Well-stocked bird feeders help to supplement birds’ food when it's in short supply. Plus, if you're regularly topping up your bird feeder, the same birds will continue to return as they learn your garden is a good source of food.

Specialist bird cakes, seeds and food like mealworms and flaked maize are all good options and supplying a variety of foods is a good way of attracting a wider range of bird species to your garden.

There's a wide range of bird feeders on the market in a host of different styles and designs. Some offer additional features such as squirrel proofing and such as a larger cage around the central feeder to stop squirrels and larger birds reaching the bird food. 

However, following a study in conjunction with the BTO and the Institute of Zoology, the RSPB has confirmed that trichonomosis spreads more easily in summer and autumn, and on flat surfaces, such as bird tables and at bird baths. It has now changed its bird feeding advice as follows:

Feed safely. Feed seasonally. 

Feed seasonally – it’s important to adjust what we feed our garden birds during the summer and autumn months when there’s a higher risk of disease spreading.

• From 1 May to 31 October: pause filling your bird feeders with seed and peanuts to prevent too many birds gathering in one place. It’s okay to keep offering small amounts of mealworms, fat balls, or suet year-round.

Feed safely – just one infected bird can turn your busy feeder into a disease hotspot. To help keep birds healthy, we need to prioritise hygiene.

• Get into the habit of moving and giving your feeders a good clean at least once a week. Follow good hygiene practice while cleaning to protect yourself and the birds. If possible, place your feeders in a different spot after each clean to prevent the build-up of contaminated debris underneath. Any existing debris should be cleared up
• Change water daily: only offer water if you’re able to change it every day and make sure it’s tap water. Water baths should also be cleaned weekly
• Retire flat-surfaced feeders: research has confirmed that there’s a higher risk of the disease spreading on flat surfaces, where contaminated food can collect for other birds to eat. This means bidding a fond farewell to feeders that have any flat surfaces – including bird tables

For other ways to look after the birds in your garden, read our guides to growing your own bird food, or buying bird seed and bird baths. If you'd like to watch birds, check out our guides on wildlife cameras and bird box cameras.

And if you want to encourage more wildlife to visit your garden, take a look at our selection of bat boxes and hedgehog houses, or be inspired by our guide to wildlife gifts.

Jump to:

• How to choose a bird feeder
• Where to put a bird feeder

Browse our pick of bird feeders, below:

The best bird feeders

Peckish 100% recycled woodland feast multi feeder

Available from Amazon

Part of a new collection of wild bird feeders made from 100% recycled materials and sustainably sourced wood, this holds around 500g of seed plus two suet cakes. The slate effect roof and sturdy mesh to hold the suet are made using approximately 125 recycled food and drink cartons. It’s easy to clean and comes in plastic free packaging.

Price: £29.99

Buy Peckish 100% recycled woodland feast multi feeder from Amazon

Eco-Blu bird feeder

Available from Wildlife Community

Crafted from recycled ocean plastic that also protects against harmful bacteria, fungi and microbes, this lantern style feeder has a transparent hopper so you can easily see when it needs refilling. With a simple locking system it's easy to take apart for cleaning and is suitable for sunflower hearts, seeds and kibbled nuts to attract a range of wild birds to your garden.

Price: £17.99

Buy Eco-Blu bird feeder from the Wildlife Community

Finches Friend Cleaner Feeder 1

Available from Finches Friend

Created to help prevent the spread of avian diseases such as Trichomonosis, responsible for the decline in populations of chaffinch and greenfinch, this easy clean feeder is simple to take apart, robust and fully recyclable. It holds 1.79l of food, more than a standard feeder, and it always stays clean and dry.

Price: £44.99

Buy Finches Friend cleaner feeder from Finches Friend

Roamwild Pest Off Squirrel Proof Bird Feeder

Available from Roamwild

To stop squirrels and large birds eating the food, the hatch automatically moves down blocking it off when they land on the perch. Once they leave, the perch returns to normal. The 1.5 litre feeder from Roamwild also has a built-in rain guard to prevent seeds clogging.

Price: £32.99

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Ch-eco recycled bird feeder

Available from Welland Valley Feeds

Crafted in the UK in six cheerful colours these eco-friendly feeders are made from recycled plastics and upcycled chewing gum. All plastics can be fully recycled and a bag of bird food is included.

Price: £6.95

Buy Ch-eco recycled bird feeder from the Welland Valley Feeds

RSPB Suet Feeder and Guardian

Available from RSPB

The guardian on this suet feeder ensures that only small birds get to enjoy up to 10 suet balls. Measuring 30cm tall and 24cm wide, this feeder is small enough to find a place in any garden.

Price: £28

Buy RSPB Suet Feeder and Guardian at RSPB

Cleaner Peanut feeder

Available from Finches Friend

Also from the Finches Friend team comes a peanut feeder, a covered, sealed container to keep the nuts dry that's designed to ensure they're moved to the feeding area rather than staying stuck in the centre of the feeder. The hopper is removable for easy cleaning and it's made from recyclable, UV-stabilised polycarbonate so it won't weaken in the sun. Remember to only use Aflatoxin tested peanuts in your feeder.

Price: £34.95

Buy the Cleaner Peanut feeder from Finches Friend

RSPB Easy-clean Seed Feeder

Available from RSPB

Made from a combination of durable zinc alloy and a polycarbonate tube, the RSPB guarantee it will not crack or discolour in the sun. Available in three sizes, with the largest able to hold 1.5 litres of feed.

Price: £13

Buy RSPB Ultimate Easy-clean Seed Feeder at RSPB

How to choose a bird feeder

Choosing a bird feeder largely depends on two elements; what birds you are looking to attract and the size and layout of your garden. 

There are three main types of garden feeders you can buy. 

• Seed feeders: A hanging seed feeder can attract a range of small birds including sparrows, tits and finches. These can come in a variety of sizes and are typically made of plastic or metal.
• Nut feeders: Known to attract tits and woodpeckers, nut feeders are made from metal mesh. This mesh needs to be a specific size (approximately 6mm) to be safe. If it is too small, it can damage birds’ beaks but it needs to be small enough to stop birds removing large peanut chunks.
• Suet feeders: Popular with tits and starlings, suet feeders are made from wide metal mesh to give the birds purchase while they eat. Available in a range of sizes, the feeders will hold either suet cakes or balls.

If you’re in need of more advice on how or what to feed the birds in your garden, head to the RSPB website or take a look at more of our bird feeding content. 

Where to put a bird feeder

Keeping away predators will be your main consideration when hanging your feeder in the garden. Bird feeders need to be kept out of reach from squirrels and cats for birds to feel safe. 

Aim for a quiet and sheltered area and away from any tree, fence or shrub that could be used as a jumping point for either animal. At eye level, or a little above, is best. 

Grey squirrels are not only known for eating the food, but can also damage feeders by chewing through the plastic. Some feeders now claim to be squirrel proof as they are either covered in a metal casing the animals cannot chew through or surrounded by a large cage, which is placed around the central feeder.

This Product Guide was last updated in August 2026 and we apologise if anything has changed in price or availability.

]]> The best wormeries in 2026 – as tested by our gardening experts https://www.gardenersworld.com/product-guides/nature/best-wormeries/ Wed, 11 Feb 2026 11:01:36 GMT https://www.gardenersworld.com/product-guides/nature/best-wormeries/ Looking for a wormery for your kitchen and garden waste? Browse our experts' picks, from stacked wormeries to single-chamber models A wormery is a great way of recycling kitchen and small amounts of garden waste, using worms to turn this material into nutrient-rich natural compost. A sump within the wormery also holds any excess liquid produced during this process, and this can be used to feed your plants, too. Simply drain it with the tap, every few days, dilute it to a 1:10 ratio of water, and you have a nitrogen-heavy liquid feed ready to use.

Wormery composting worms are different species from the earthworms you see in your garden, which aren't suitable, and are known as brandlings, red, manure or tiger worms. They live inside the waste in the wormery bin and, thanks to big appetites and a fast metabolism, quickly break down food waste like egg shells, vegetable peelings and tea bags and turn them into compost for your garden. For help getting started, our helpful step-by-step guide explains how to set up a wormery.

Best wormeries at a glance

• Best wormery for high capacity and ease of use: WormCity
• Best wormery for longest warranty and best design: WormBox
• Best wormery for worm composting and self-draining: Hungry Bin Worm Composter

Jump to:

• The best wormeries
• The best of the rest
• How to choose a wormery
• How we tested the wormeries
• Troubleshooting tips for your wormery

Our expertise Getting the right wormery for you means making sure it's the correct size, has an adequate number of trays and is simple to use. We've tested a range of different wormeries and each one has a detailed list of pros and cons for clarity and has been rated according to set up, value for money, ease of use and storage. From 2026, you’ll only see newly awarded Best Buy badges on wormeries that score 4.5 out of 5 or higher. Anything rated 3.5 or above will still feature in our ‘Best of the rest’ list. Every wormery in our round up below has scored a minimum of 3.5 out of 5 stars, so you can buy with confidence.

In every review, we award outstanding products our coveted Best Buy award. To see these and the others we recommend, browse our pick of the best wormeries, below.

The best wormeries

WormCity

RRP: £87-£110 (75-125 litres)

Our rating: 4.8 out of 5

Available from: Amazon

Reasons to buy:

• Largest capacity and well-designed
• Easy and efficient to use
• Stable square base
• 100 per cent recycled, good warranty
• Well priced for size

Reasons to avoid:

• More accessible to slugs than most

This wormery by WormCity has a large tray capacity of 75 litres, which is impressive considering its size on the ground (75cm x 43cm x 43cm). Our testers found that the deep trays produced a high amount of good-quality compost. We were also impressed by the well-planned design, which features a V-shaped sump and stepped interior. It’s made in the UK from 100 per cent recycled materials, and 500g of worms are included along with food and bedding. We judged this a BBC Gardeners' World Magazine Best Buy as the best stacking wormery.

Read the full WormCity Wormery review

• Buy the WormCity Wormery from Amazon

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WormBox

RRP: £92.50

Our rating: 4.8 out of 5

Available from: Amazon

Reasons to buy:

• Smart, versatile design in many colours
• Suits indoors or outside – fully rainproof
• Mostly recycled plastic
• Longest warranty

Reasons to avoid:

• Tap close to the ground, so not easy to drain

Unlike most stacking wormeries, the WormBox model (38cm x 50cm x 50cm) is rainproof. We found it to be sturdy and were impressed with the versatile design, which includes castors for easy moving. Each tray has a capacity of 16 litres, which produces a moderate amount of compost, and the sump works well. Worms and a coir mat are included with the starter model, and there is the option to add a planting tray to the top or use it as a seat, with a load of up to 100kg. A generous 15-year warranty is included, and we awarded this a BBC Gardeners' World Magazine Best Buy for the most versatile design.

Read the full WormBox wormery review

• Buy the WormBox from Amazon

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Hungry Bin Worm Composter

RRP: £275.00

Our rating: 4.3 out of 5

Available from: Amazon

Reasons to buy:

• Substantial capacity to process waste
• Drains itself
• Easy to harvest finished compost
• Rainproof with a hinged lid

Reasons to avoid:

• The open drain tray attracts flies
• Largest footprint
• Expensive

This conical-shaped wormery (60cm x 65cm x 95cm) sits on a metal frame, which is on wheels to make it easier to manoeuvre. It has a total capacity of 80 litres, but the large surface area means worms can process up to 2kg of waste per day. You can access finished compost by unclipping the base, which our testers found to be a simple process. It's guaranteed for two years and is made from between 15 and 20 per cent recycled plastic. We awarded this a BBC Gardeners' World Magazine Best Buy for the best low-maintenance choice.

Read the full review: Hungry Bin worm composter review

• Buy the Hungry Bin Worm Composter from Amazon

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The best of the rest

Although some models didn't quite achieve a BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Best Buy award, they still have features that make them worth recommending. Browse our pick of the best of the rest on test.

Maze Worm Farm

RRP: £79.99

Our rating: 4 out of 5

Available from: Amazon and The Range

Reasons to buy:

• Lightweight, compact and portable
• Pull-out tray and hook for hanging lid
• Mostly recycled plastic

Reasons to avoid:

• Lowest capacity per tray
• Slowest to process waste

This compact wormery (28cm x 38cm x 38cm) features 12 litre trays and a central drain. This model had the smallest capacity of those we tested and took the longest to compost overall, although we found the quality of what was produced to be good. A pull-out central tray harvests small amounts of castings, and it can be customised with a range of accessories. It's guaranteed for one year.

• Buy the Maze Worm Farm from Amazon and The Range

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Tumbleweed Cube Indoor Wormery

RRP: £79.99

Our rating: 3.5 out of 5

Available from: Mano Mano and On Buy

Reasons to buy:

• Neat and compact
• Good-sized trays with handles for easy, clean handling
• Removable and visible collector for liquid
• Clearly written and illustrated printed instructions
• Made from recycled plastic

Reasons to avoid:

• The liquid collector is small and needs frequent emptying
• The lid warps slightly and doesn’t fit snugly
• Worm blanket mentioned in instructions, but not included

This wormery has a neat, square design and is primarily designed for indoor use. It has a smart appearance, although the bright green lid does stand out and may not be to everyone’s taste. It’s quick and easy to assemble and has clearly written, printed instructions. It also has many well-thought-out design features, including two good-sized trays, each with 13 13-litre capacity and lift-up handles, a lid with internal hooks that sits vertically on the edge of the wormery unit whilst filling, and a clear plastic collector that slots beneath the lowest tray to fill with worm liquid. It’s also easy to see the level inside, and it's simple to remove.

However, this collector is small and fills up quickly, so if you’re using it indoors, it can easily overflow and make a mess. This is a particular drawback if you’re away for any length of time, and you’d need to plan ahead and replace it with something larger. Hooking the lid on the side works fine unless there’s condensation inside, which then drips onto the ground. Of course, both these issues wouldn’t be much of a problem if you used the wormery outside, but unfortunately, outdoors, the lid warped very slightly, blew off easily and needed to be weighted down. Most of the worms moved upwards through the wormery into the upper tray containing fresh waste, and this model has good eco-credentials. It’s made from 100 per cent recycled plastic and has a 12-month warranty.

• Buy the Tumbleweed Cube Indoor Wormery from Mano Mano and On Buy

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Urbalive Worm Farm

RRP: from £142.99

Our rating: 3.5 out of 5

Available from: Amazon

Reasons to buy:

• Attractive design
• Available in four colours
• Produced good quality/quantity of compost

Reasons to avoid:

• Worms drowned in the sump
• Needs a sheltered site
• Made from new plastic

The Urbalive Worm Farm (60.5cm x 50.5cm x 38cm) has a large capacity of 21.7 litres per tray. Our testers liked the contemporary design and larger capacity and found it composted well. The wooden legs were tricky to fit, though, and needed a screwdriver, which is not supplied. We found the mesh “worm catcher” did not work, and if used outdoors, it must be under cover. A two-year warranty is included.

• Buy the Urbalive Worm Farm from Amazon

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Original Wormery

RRP: £124.99

Our rating: 4 out of 5

Available from: Amazon

Reasons to buy:

• Large capacity for small footprint
• Well priced for its size
• Rainproof with a hinged lid

Reasons to avoid:

• Hard to harvest compost
• Drain tap close to the ground, so hard to drain
• Made from new plastic

This single-chamber wormery (73cm x 53cm x 43cm) has an overall capacity of 100 litres. It's styled in a wheelie bin design, including a hinged lid, and is rainproof. The compost is harvested by emptying the bin completely, which means separating it from the worms and unprocessed waste. It's guaranteed for one year.

• Buy the Original Wormery from Amazon

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If you're interested in other types of composting, see our review of the best garden compost bins and if you're planning on keeping your wormery sheltered or somewhere enclosed, our guides to garden storage ideas and the best garden sheds may also be helpful.

How to choose a wormery

When you're choosing a wormery, there are a few details to consider:

What types of wormeries are there?

• Stacking wormeries: These have multiple trays with mesh bases stacked on top of each other and making up to three or four layers in total. Waste and worms are added to the first tray until it's full, and then the second tray is added on top. The worms work their way up through the mesh base of each layer as they fill up, and another tray is added. Finished compost is removed from the bottom tray, and once emptied, this is placed back on top of the other trays to repeat the process. Trays range in capacity from 12 and 25 litres
• Single-chamber wormeries: These consist of one large, single chamber where the waste is processed all together. Waste material is placed on the top and harvested from below once the worms have worked their magic. You need to empty it all to access the finished compost

Where should I place my wormery?

The optimum temperature for a wormery is between 15 and 25°C; anything above 35°C and your worms won’t be able to survive. You should therefore place your wormery in a sheltered, shaded spot, somewhere you can access it easily to fill it up and drain the liquid a couple of times a week. An outbuilding or porch is a good place, and some models can even be kept in the kitchen. Be aware, though, that they can start to smell if they're left for too long.

What should I put in my wormery?

Kitchen waste is best for a wormery, although small amounts of garden waste can also be added. Raw or cooked vegetables, fruit, coffee grounds, teabags and eggshells are all ideal food for worms. Avoid meat and fish, dairy products and tough woody plant material.

How we tested wormeries

The wormeries were set up in the summer and tested throughout the year. A regular mix of cooked and raw kitchen waste with paper and brown cardboard was added, and their performance was assessed according to the following criteria, each with equal weight:

• Design and setup: Assessed clarity and ease of instructions,  siting conditions and any extra features
• Ease of use: Looked at how straightforward it is to add waste and harvest liquid, any design flaws and features or accessories which affected use
• Compost quality and harvesting: Focused on the quantity and quality of the compost and liquid produced and whether the worms were thriving
• Value for money: Considered the quality and durability of the model as well as the RRP, warranty and eco-credentials

For more information on our testing process, see How we review

Troubleshooting tips for your wormery

Soggy and smelly?

Drain liquid from the new waste before adding, and drain off liquid regularly to reduce condensation. If the model lets in rain, cover loosely.

Lots of tiny flies

These fruit flies, although harmless, can be annoying. Bury fresh waste or cover with damp newspaper or brown card.

Mouldy contents

Damp conditions are essential for worms as they breathe through their skin, so they actually like mouldy food. However, lots of uneaten waste may be a sign that you’re adding too much at one go – little and often is best. Chopping up waste first helps.

What to do in winter

If possible, move your wormery into an outhouse or porch. But outside is fine with care; cover with insulating material, put thick layers of card and paper inside the top, and drain often.

Meet our testing panel

Oliver Parsons, Strategic Projects Editor
Oliver is a gardener and magazine journalist of 20 years’ experience. He trained as a professional horticulturalist at RHS Garden Hyde Hall in Chelmsford and has also worked for Gardening Which?, as a freelance gardener and with the gardening team at Down House in Kent. He is now Strategic Projects Editor at BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine and GardenersWorld.com, heading up our reviews desk, Apple News output and weekly newsletter.

Kay Maguire, Magazines Editor
Kay trained at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and has been writing and making films about gardening ever since. She has written for websites and magazines, including The Garden and Amateur Gardening, was Horticultural Editor on BBC Gardeners' World Magazine for five years, and has also written several books on a range of gardening topics from growing house plants to making the most of a small space. After several years as Reviews Editor, building up our reviews section into a leading resource for UK gardeners, she has now become Magazines Editor for BBC Gardeners' World Magazine, responsible for all print output.

Harry Duncton, Freelance Powered Tools Tester
Harry has a wealth of experience, from being a language teacher to a tree surgeon, and has built this into a career writing about all things DIY and gardening. A passionate believer in self-reliance, his aim is to inspire others to give it a go themselves and not worry about making a few mistakes along the way. A regular contributor to popular DIY blogs and a recent addition to the BBC Gardeners' World Magazine team, he loves tracking down the best new tools and writing about them.

Sue Fisher, Freelance Garden Writer
Sue’s extensive horticultural career spans over 40 years, starting with a decade in the garden centre and nursery industry before developing into an accomplished gardening writer, designer and speaker. Sue writes regularly for BBC Gardeners' World Magazine, GardenersWorld.com and Garden Answers magazine. She has written 10 books on subjects including container gardening, plants for small gardens and designing with colour, and she has co-authored other books with some of the biggest names in gardening.

Emma Crawforth, Horticulture Editor
Emma holds the Kew Diploma in Horticulture and has been working in horticulture for 18 years, including roles in public gardens, a plant nursery supplying plants for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show and a training college for young horticulturists. She looks after an ornamental, fruit and veg garden at home and regularly undertakes trips to see plants growing in their natural habitats. She is the author of the Kew Publications book, Things to Do with Plants.

Jane Moore, Freelance Garden Writer
In a horticultural career spanning 30 years, Jane has been a head gardener at a Benedictine Abbey, a writer for national gardening magazines and newspapers, a researcher on BBC gardening programmes and a TV presenter on BBC Gardeners’ World. Among her many accolades are a Chelsea Flower Show medal, several awards from the Garden Media Guild and her books are published worldwide. She has spent 30 years working as a hands-on head gardener, using tools on a daily basis.

These wormeries were reviewed in February 2026. We apologise if anything has changed in price or availability.

]]> The best hedgehog houses in 2025 https://www.gardenersworld.com/product-guides/nature/best-hedgehog-houses/ Thu, 24 Apr 2025 09:10:40 GMT https://www.gardenersworld.com/product-guides/nature/best-hedgehog-houses/ Our pick of the best hedgehog houses to help create a safe hedgehog habitat. Regrettably, the number of hedgehogs in Britain has been in decline for over two decades and 2020 saw hedgehogs classified as vulnerable to extinction. There are many threats to our hedgehog population, including large-scale agriculture replacing hedgerows and trees and destroying their natural habitat, pesticides killing off the hedgehog's natural diet of slugs, worms and insects, an increase in road construction and a lack of wild gardens so it's vital that gardeners do their bit to help them.

Without a safe place to shelter and a reliable food source, hedgehogs are unable to hibernate through the colder months, but clearing out a space for a hedgehog house in your garden will provide a secure habitat where hedgehogs are able to sleep, nest and hibernate without the threat of predators. While it's possible to make hedgehog houses yourself, not everyone has the time or resources to do so. Many of the best hedgehog houses have also been especially designed to be insulated throughout the winter, ventilated in the summer and are made with materials that are not always readily available in our local gardening centre or hardware store.

All of the hedgehog houses below should last numerous years due to weatherproofing and have helpful features such as removable roofs to make them easy to clean.

Want to encourage more wildlife? Check out our guides to the best nesting boxes, bird feeders, bird feeds and bird tables and bird baths. We’ve also rounded up the best bat boxes to help bats roost and hibernate in your garden. For a gift for the wildlife lover in your life, take a look at our guide to the best wildlife cameras or 25+ wildlife gifts.

Jump to:

• Best hedgehog houses for the garden
• How to choose a hedgehog house
• Frequently asked questions
• Creating a hedgehog friendly garden

Browse our pick of hedgehog houses for the garden below:

Best hedgehog houses for the garden

CJ Wildlife deluxe hedgehog house XXL

Designed to blend into its surroundings and with built-in ventilation, this roomy house has been well thought out with a long entrance hall that's wide enough for pregnant hedgehogs but won't allow predators to enter.  The removable roof makes it easy to fill with nesting material and clean, and it's pitched to protect the house from heavy rain.

Price: £129.99

Available from  CJ Wildlife

Garden Life hedgehog house

Along with a pitched, waterproof roof, the Garden Life Hedgehog House is built with wood that has been pre-treated with a hedgehog-safe varnish to protect it against the British weather. The internal chamber is concealed from the entrance. A Hedgehog Care Guide is included with advice on how best to care for your hedgehogs and keep them safe and happy.

Price: £29.99

Available from Thompson and Morgan and Robert Dyas

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Wildlife World Hogilo hedgehog home

Used by the Hedgehog Preservation Society, the Hogilo’s lid swivels to provide easy access for cleaning or monitoring any hedgehogs that may be sheltering. Constructed from plywood, the Wildlife World’s Hedgehog House is finished with recycled agricultural plastic. The battened feet keep the house raised to prevent rot.

Price: £80.00

Available from Amazon

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Riverside Woodcraft hedgehog house

Handmade in the UK, this hedgehog house features a narrow tunnel entrance, large chamber and a weatherproof lockable lid. The house itself is made from solid wood, which has been treated with an antifungal and antibacterial coating.

Price: £79.99

Available from Amazon

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The Hutch Company hedgehog heat reflecting hibernation house

This hedgehog house from The Hutch Company is hand-built from sustainably-sourced timber and treated with an anti-bacterial coating. Other features include Airtec 1500 heat reflecting ground insulation to make it comfortable for hedgehogs looking to hibernate and a full removable roof that has a locking system to keep it firmly in place.

Price: £67.99

Available from Amazon

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Wooden hedgehog house

With a narrow tunnel entrance, the Deluxe Hedgehog House should keep its inhabitants safe from larger predators. The removable panel at the back of the house allows for easy cleaning and all interior wood is left untreated.

Price: £120

Available from Not on the High Street

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How to choose a hedgehog house

Choosing the right hedgehog house can be difficult and these wildlife homes can come in a range of shapes and sizes. House materials can also differ and will affect how sturdy the habitat will be, how resilient it is to adverse weather and how long it will last, so bear the following in mind:

Size: If your hedgehog house is too small, it won't be a suitable habitat for a hedgehog to build a nest for hibernation. You're also unlikely to attract more than a single hedgehog

Value for money: The prices of hedgehog houses can vary. Solid wood and Eco-Plate homes are  more expensive than simple brushwood styles but they will last longer and are therefore more sustainable in the long run.

Durability: Good quality hedgehog houses are typically built from water or weatherproof materials such as Eco-Plate and should ensure your hedgehog house has longevity. Treat those built from solid wood with varnish to improve durability.

Protection from predators: A narrow or tunnel-like entrance is essential to prevent predators such as foxes and badgers gaining access to the hedgehog house. Camouflaging the house with soil and leaves can also help.

Removable roof: A removable roof allows you easy access to clean the hedgehog house. They're also useful if you're rehabilitating hedgehogs and need to keep a close eye on them. Overhanging or pitched roofs will protect against high rainfall.

Frequently Asked Questions

When do hedgehogs use hedgehog houses?

A hedgehog house isn’t just for Christmas. While it provides a safe place for them to snuggle up and snooze during their winter hibernation, it’s also somewhere for them to sleep during the day when they’re up and about again.

April and October are the two best months to put out a hedgehog house, either side of their hibernation season. These are also good months to do any cleaning out and this should be done every year.

If there's an unusually cold winter, the length of hibernation can be extended and you may need to wait a few weeks for temperatures to rise before putting out a new hedgehog house. This particularly applies to cleaning an already established house so as not to disturb hibernating inhabitants.

How do you encourage hedgehogs into a hedgehog house?

The following will make your garden a welcoming place for your spiked visitors:

1. Make sure hedgehogs can get into your garden. If you have a fence or wall, make a hole that’s about 5”x5”, to allow hedgehogs to wander through, but that's small enough to deter most pets.
2. Leave a corner of your garden to go wild if you can, as this makes the perfect location to place a hedgehog house - plenty of vegetation provides shelter and privacy, as well as a habitat for their favourite food - insects.
3. Ensure there are plenty of leaves close to the hedgehog house, as hedgehogs typically build their nests from materials that are nearby.
4. Give them a head start when it comes to building a nest by placing dry leaves, straw or hay inside the main chamber of the hedgehog house

While you may want to tempt hedgehogs into their new home with food, it's not advised to do this. Hedgehogs don't like to eat in the same place they sleep and food can also attract predators. Consider building a separate feeding station instead.

Creating a hedgehog friendly garden

Make ponds safe - Hedgehogs are adept swimmers, but if they can’t climb out of steep-sided ponds or pools they will drown. Use a pile of stones, a piece of wood or some chicken wire to create a simple ramp.

Clean up litter - Hedgehogs can get tangled up and trapped in litter. Polystyrene cups, plastic and elastic bands are all common offenders. Also avoid using netting for crop protection. If you have to use netting, keep it taught and store inside when not in use.

Provide food and water - Hedgehogs benefit from being given extra food to supplement their natural diets. They enjoy hedgehog food, meaty cat or dog food or chopped, unsalted peanuts. Water can also be scarce at certain times of the year and is the only thing you should give them to drink.

Avoid chemicals - Lawn treatments reduce the populations of worms, while pesticides, insecticides and slug pellets kill off other invertebrates that hedgehogs feed on. A healthy, well-managed garden shouldn’t need to rely on chemicals.

Check before strimming - Hedgehogs will not run away from the sound of a mower or strimmer – check before you cut to avoid causing horrific injuries or death. Single hedgehogs are easily moved, but use gloves! Moving a hedgehog family is more complicated and ideally they should be left undisturbed – call The British Hedgehog Preservation Society on 01584 890801 for advice.

Be careful with bonfires - Piles of debris are irresistible to a hedgehog seeking shelter, so only build a bonfire on the day of burning or move the pile just before lighting it, to avoid a tragic end.

Build a log pile - One of the best features for encouraging all kinds of wildlife – and so easy to make. It will encourage insects and provide somewhere for hedgehogs to nest.

For more advice on how to make your garden a hedgehog haven, take a look at our guide on the ways to help hedgehogs.

This Product Guide was last updated in April 2025. We apologise if anything has changed in price or availability.

]]> 10 of the best bird baths for 2025 https://www.gardenersworld.com/product-guides/nature/best-bird-baths/ Wed, 19 Mar 2025 16:00:36 GMT https://www.gardenersworld.com/product-guides/nature/best-bird-baths/ Care for the birds in your garden with these bird bath recommendations While bird feeders are common in Britain's gardens, bird baths are less so. Bird baths are a brilliant way of providing birds with a regular supply of clean water for both drinking and bathing. Bird baths become even more essential in the colder months when natural sources may be frozen or in the height of summer when water can be hard to come by.

Birds may not have sweat glands but they do lose water through respiration and in their droppings so most small birds will need to drink at least twice a day. And bathing is essential for good feather maintenance. Birds dampen their feathers to loosen dirt and help with preening. During preening, birds will rearrange their feathers and spread oil from the preen gland to keep them waterproof. This process also traps a layer of air underneath the feathers to provide insulation and keep them warm.

You can make a bird bath yourself at home, but there are also a variety of bird baths available online for those who are looking for a more stylish or elaborate design. Whatever the design of your bird bath, make sure you fill it will fresh tap water every day and clean it at least once a week, following good hygiene practices.

Beyond erecting a bird bath in the garden, there are also a number of other ways to care for the birds in your garden. These include making a bird box, or buying bird feeders to provide food in the colder months, too.

Current advice from the RSPB suggests avoiding the use of bird tables, because there is evidence to suggest that some birds may be more exposed to disease if fed on flat surfaces.

If you want to encourage more wildlife into your garden, take a look at our guides to the best bat boxes and best hedgehog houses you can buy. And to get a closer look, consider buying one of the best bird box cameras.

How to choose the best bird bath

When choosing a bird bath, the main consideration should be bird safety. The basin of the bird bath should have shallow, sloping sides and the surface should be rough or rippled to allow birds to find purchase easily.

To allow small birds to bathe, the water can't be too deep. The RSPB suggests the water should be between 2.5cm and 10cm deep so that a variety of birds can use the bird bath safely.

The material from which the bird bath is made from can also have an impact. Stone bird baths are heavy making them more difficult to move, empty and clean but they will not fall over in strong winds.

Ceramic bird baths will also have some weight but less so than stone bird baths. In order to be frost resistant, ceramic bird baths are often high-fired.

The RSPB also now sells bird baths made from resin and a sustainable material called Polyboo, made from a combination of recycled plastic and bamboo fibres. Both of these are lightweight making them easier to clean, move and empty as needed. Consider buying a bird bath supplied with ground pegs if you are concerned it may move in bad weather.

Types of bird bath

Bird baths come in a range of styles, including hanging, pedestal and ground bird baths.

One of the most common types of bird bath is the pedestal bird bath. This traditional style is typically popular because the stand allows for some flexibility on where it can be placed. The location of the bird bath is important if you want birds to feel safe enough to visit.

Birds need clear visibility while they bathe and drink with some cover from trees nearby to provide a place to escape to if needed. However, make sure any bushes or trees close to the bird bath can't be used by predators, such as cats, to hide in. Read more tips on deterring cats from your garden.

Hanging bird baths have also become popular. These bird baths are made from a shallow dish that is hung from tree branches or poles using chains. Because of its simple design, a hanging bird bath can be much cheaper than pedestal bird baths.

Finally, a ground bird bath is a large, shallow basin that you place on the ground. Naturally, these are favoured by larger, ground birds such as pigeons. However, being on the ground does increase the risk of predators so many are now slightly raised to combat this.

How to stop water freezing in a bird bath

Making sure your bird bath is accessible in winter is essential as natural sources are often frozen over. It's difficult to stop a bird bath from freezing but there are some techniques that the RSPB recommends trying.

There are a number of preventative measures you can take to stop the water fully freezing over including adding a light ball to the water. The ball should float and move with any breeze and therefore, keep a small section of water ice-free.

Lining the basin with a polythene sheet can also help. When the water freezes, you should then be able to lift out the sheet and remove any ice with it.

Finally, if your bird bath is already frozen, simply pour hot water on to melt the ice. Never add any chemicals including anti-freeze to the bird baths as this could damage the birds feathers or even poison them.

The best bird baths in 2025

Browse our list of the best bird baths.

RSPB Bronze Effect Bird Bath

Price: £25

Available from the RSPB

This bird bath is made from lightweight weatherproof resin with an attractive bronze finish. It has a shallow, 7cm dish to ensure the birds are safe and is supplied with ground pegs so it won’t tip over in strong winds. 

Natural Oasis Bird Bath and Drinker

Price: £19.99

Available from Amazon

Despite its natural stone look, this small bird bath is actually made from Polyboo, a mix of recycled plastic and bamboo fibres. It is frost-proof and has shallow steps to allow pollinators and insects access to the water.

Fallen Fruits Bird Bath

Price: £17.99

Available from Amazon

The Fallen Fruits Bird Bath is made from cast iron and comes with two decorative birds. The decorative bowl is designed to be wall mounted and can be used as a bird bath or feeder.

Wildlife World Echo Bird Bath

Price: £47.99

Available from Amazon

Made from fired ceramic this bird bath can be left out in the garden all year. It's supplied with three sitting feet to raise it off the ground and the ripple design provides grip for visiting birds.

Foras Rainbow Bird Bath

Price: £199

Available from Foras

The Foras Rainbow Bird Bath is crafted from natural sandstone and is frost resistant. The surface has been polished to enhance the natural ‘rainbow’ patterns in the grain and give it a sleek finish.

Aged Ceramic Bird Bath

Price: £33.74

Available from Primrose

This ceramic bird bath has an aged print detail with a small decorative bird. The dish is small and shallow so that small birds can drink and bathe safely.

Edwardian Bird Bath

Price: £210

Available from Garden Statue Shop

Made in the UK, the Edwardian Bird Bath has a classic design and is crafted using local reconstituted stone and traditional methods. At 8cm deep, our experts would recommend adding a large stone to aid small birds and insects.

This Product Guide was last updated in August 2026 and we apologise if anything has changed in price or availability.

]]> The best bird tables for 2025 https://www.gardenersworld.com/product-guides/nature/best-bird-tables/ Thu, 13 Mar 2025 14:10:07 GMT https://www.gardenersworld.com/product-guides/nature/best-bird-tables/ Want more birds to visit your garden? Here’s our pick of the best bird tables

Latest RSPB Guidance on bird feeding.

Due to the spread of avian diseases, the RSPB no longer advises the use of flat bird feeders such as bird tables. Find out more here.  August 2026

With over 620 species of bird flying around Britain, it's always a joy to encourage more into our gardens, and a good quality bird table can be the first step to achieving this. Birds in the garden are delightful to watch but they're also a sure sign of a healthy garden and help to keep caterpillars, snails and aphids, which would otherwise damage our plants, in check.

The colder months are when food is hardest to come by, but birds will benefit the most from a bird table with a regular food supply throughout the year. High-fat foods help birds maintain their fat reserves during the winter, whereas high-protein seeds such as black sunflower seeds are more beneficial for moulting birds during warmer summers.

The style and size of bird table you buy will depend on the birds you're hoping to attract. For example, blackbirds, wrens and robins prefer to feed on the ground so require a low standing bird table, just above ground level. Other designs may have low or adjustable roofs to deter bigger birds like wood pigeons but still allow smaller birds to visit. The RSPB recommend buying a bird table that's at least 3-4 square feet, as a table any smaller is likely to cause fighting between birds.

The material a bird feeder is made from should also be a consideration. Most bird tables are made from wood, which looks the most natural, but they can also be metal, plastic and polycarbonate. Metal poles are particularly good if you want to deter bird predators because cats and squirrels find them difficult to climb. For more help, read more tips on deterring cats from your garden.

Unless it's a ground feeding table, a bird table should be between 4-6 feet off the ground and many have a cross-shaped base to reduce the chance of it falling over. Make sure to place your bird table somewhere quiet and sheltered, away from wind and out of direct sunlight. If possible, it should be close to a lookout point, such as a small bush, so that the birds have somewhere nearby to escape to if they're disturbed. To secure a mounted bird table to the ground, simply peg down the cross-shaped base or drive the stake base into the ground by at least a foot to ensure it's secure.

For help watching birds, check out our guides to the best wildlife cameras and bird box cameras, or be inspired by our guide to wildlife gifts. For more ways to encourage wildlife in your garden, take a look at our selection of the best hedgehog houses and bat boxes. 

The best bird tables in 2025

Hove Wall Mounted Bird Table

Price: £27.95

Available from Home and Roost

Designed to be mounted onto a wall or fence, this bird table has been treated with anti-bacterial coating to help prevent diseases spreading between birds. The felt roof and food tray have been constructed to allow water run-off and it's hand-built in the UK.

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Fineway Nordic Bird Table Feeder

Price: £22.99

Available from Amazon

The contemporary design of the Fineway Nordic Bird Table Feeder comes fitted with a three-pronged stabiliser that will pierce the ground and should prevent it from falling over in adverse weather. It's made from pre-treated wood and galvanised metal for additional weatherproofing.

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This Product Guide was last updated in March 2025 and we apologise if anything has changed in price or availability.

]]> The best bird feed in 2025 https://www.gardenersworld.com/product-guides/nature/best-bird-food/ Wed, 19 Feb 2025 15:59:05 GMT https://www.gardenersworld.com/product-guides/nature/best-bird-food/ Support British wildlife with our pick of food for the birds Feeding the birds helps support British wildlife. Providing natural food for birds means you’ll be rewarded with the joy of birds visiting your garden. Along with fruit, berries and seeds provided by your plants and the insects that thrive in gardens with healthy ecosystems, supplementary feeding can also be an important source of energy.

Many different types of bird food are available to provide for a wide variety of species. Mixed bird feed caters for insectivores, seed-eaters and omnivores alike. Alternatively, you can tailor your food to the birds you know visit your garden or those that you hope to attract. Insectivores like house martins won’t go for sunflower hearts; conversely, wood pigeons won’t eat from feeders filled with mealworms.

Looking to support British Wildlife? Have a look at our guide to bird feeders. Offer birds a home with our guide to bird nesting boxes and check up on your new wild companions with a bird box camera.

Following a study in conjunction with the BTO and the Institute of Zoology, the RSPB has confirmed that the bird disease trichonomosis spreads more easily in summer and autumn, and on flat surfaces, such as bird tables and at bird baths. It has now changed its bird feeding advice as follows:

Feed seasonally –  it’s important to change what we feed our garden birds during the summer and autumn months when there’s a higher risk of disease spreading.

• From 1 May to 31 October: stop filling bird feeders with seed and peanuts to prevent too many birds gathering in one place.  You can keep offering small amounts of mealworms, fat balls, or suet year-round

Feed safely – just one infected bird can turn your busy feeder into a disease hotspot. To help keep birds healthy, we need to prioritise hygiene.

• Clean and move feeders weekly: give your feeders a good clean at least once a week, making sure you follow careful hygiene practices, including discarding old food in an outdoor bin, wearing gloves and other protective clothing, dampening surfaces with water before disinfecting feeders to reduce the chance of breathing in dry dust, washing feeders outside with cleaning utensils reserved solely for bird feeders and kept outside, and thoroughly washing hands and forearms afterwards. If possible, place your feeders in a different spot after each clean to prevent the build-up of contaminated debris underneath. Any existing debris should be cleared up
• Change water daily: only offer water if you’re able to change it every day and make sure it’s tap water. Water baths should also be cleaned weekly, with the same hygiene practices as above
• Don't use flat-surfaced feeders such as bird tables: research has confirmed that there’s a higher risk of the disease spreading on flat surfaces, where contaminated food can collect for other birds to eat

Browse our pick of bird foods, and when you should use them, below:

Nutritious bird feeds for your garden

Peckish Natural Balance Seed Mix, 1.7kg

Price: £6.40 for 3.5kg

Available from Petshop

This mixed bird food is perfect for supporting a wide variety of birds. It also has great green credentials - its packaging is entirely recyclable and contains no plastic. This product should only be used in feeders between the beginning of November and the end of April to help protect birds from disease. 

Extra Select Premium Wild Bird Food

Price: £2.29 for 1kg

Buy Extra Select Premium Wild Bird Food on Amazon

With eight different ingredients, this bird food is perfect for attracting a wide variety of birds. A great starting point for first-time use or gardeners on a budget. This product should only be used in feeders between the beginning of November and the end of April to help protect birds from disease. 

RSPB Favourites blend bird food

Price: £9.50 for 1.8kg

Available from RSPB

RSPB Favourites Blend

The RSPB have combined their best-selling bird foods into this mix of ingredients. With sunflower hearts, a pellet mix of suet and raisins, and dried mealworms, this bird food is the avian equivalent of a full English: high-protein, high-calorie sustenance. This product is only available seasonally as the RSPB has paused selling seeds and peanuts from 1 May to 12 October to help protect birds from disease. 

National Trust CJ Wildlife Hi-Energy No Mess Seed Mix

Price: £4.50 per kg

Available from Ocado

This seed mix is good for birds and good for your lawns and patios. With no wheat filler or husks, this bird food won’t leave debris all over your garden, but still provides great nutrition. This product should only be used in feeders between the beginning of November and the end of April to help protect birds from disease. 

Peckish Complete Seed and Nut

Price: from £4.80 per kilo

Available from Amazon

This is an impressive mix of twelve different seeds and nuts. It's no-mess and is also vitamin fortified to help birds grow strong bones and produce robust eggshells. Great for attracting songbirds. This product should only be used in feeders between the beginning of November and the end of April to help protect birds from disease. 

Seedzbox Ultimate Deluxe Wild Bird Seed Feed

Price: £12.98 for 1.8kg

Available from Seedzbox

This bird feed mix has a remarkable variety of ingredients. It’s designed to not only maximise the number of birds enjoying your garden, but to provide them with a diverse source of proteins and carbohydrates. This seed also donates to One Tree Planted, a non-profit which plants trees. This product should only be used in feeders between the beginning of November and the end of April to help protect birds from disease. 

RSPB No grow ground mix

Price: £21 for 5.5kg

Available from RSPB

This no-grow mix is good for fastidious gardeners. The mix has been selected and cut to lower the chance of this feed germinating in your garden. It's a hearty mix of suet, rolled oats and flaked maize - perfect for bigger songbirds like blackbirds. This product is only available seasonally as the RSPB has paused selling seeds and peanuts from 1 May to 12 October to help protect birds from disease. 

What should I feed the birds?

Bird foods can be split into four rough categories - insects, high-protein sources, seeds and grains, and berries.

Insects

Insects such as dried mealworms are great for most British birds, which are largely omnivorous. Dried or roasted mealworms are most common but waxworms, earthworms, and crickets are also fantastic unprocessed food sources, though they can be a little more expensive.

Protein sources

High-energy, high-protein food like sunflower hearts, suet or nuts are vital in winter. Just as for humans, proteins are crucial for helping birds build crucial muscle mass and body fat. However, in too large a quantity they can be unhealthy, so make sure you provide a healthy balance with different types of foods. It’s also good to make sure they’re in small pieces, so birds - especially chicks - don’t choke.

Seeds and grains

These are a mainstay of many birds’ diet. Try to avoid feed with wheat, because this has little nutritional value for birds and is used to bulk up feed - birds often won’t eat it either, and will dump it on the ground to get to tastier food. Keen gardeners will appreciate no-grow seeds, which have been roasted, cracked, or ground so that they don’t germinate in borders or lawns.

Berries

Birds and berries have a symbiotic relationship; berries give birds vital nutrients and vitamins, and birds excrete berry seeds so new shrubs and trees can grow. In areas without shrubbery or hedgerows, birds can miss out on this crucial part of their diet, so berries should be a mainstay of a good bird food. Mixed bird foods that include dried berries particularly suits robins, sparrows, and thrushes in late summer and autumn.

A more natural way to feed birds is in your gardening itself. Plants offer a fantastic opportunity to provide natural wild bird food as part of your wider garden design. Sunflowers and their seeds are a great source of protein, and holly and blackthorn provide invaluable berries year-round.

Where should I put bird food?

It’s best to put your feeder somewhere quiet, out of the reach of predators like cats or bigger birds. Your garden needs to have plenty of vegetation that birds can use for shelter and protection, but not too close to the feeders to avoid giving predators places to hide. Bird feeders should ideally be moved around the garden regularly to stop dropped food building up underneath them and increasing the risk of disease.

When should I feed the birds?

You can leave some food out for birds year-round, but their needs and the risk of disease changes with the seasons:

In Autumn and Winter - the best bird food for winter and spring is heavy, protein-rich food like suet. In the colder seasons it's crucial that birds find high-energy snacks to feed themselves and their chicks. Seeds and peanuts should only be used between November and April

In Spring and Summer - small amounts of mealworms are a great source of energy when they've been soaked in water. Make sure any leftovers are cleared away by dusk the same day (especially if scattered on the ground) to avoid hedgehogs eating them, as they can cause health problems. Suet products can be offered in moderation but don't use homemade fat balls in summer as they are prone to melting.

What shouldn't I feed wild birds?

Although some food from our kitchens is fine to give to birds, some should definitely be avoided:

• Don’t feed birds big chunks of anything, because they can choke on the pieces. This is true for whole peanuts, desiccated coconut, and dry pieces of bread. Chop up your bird food to make it easier for them to eat
• Junk food like crisps or biscuit crumbs are also a choking hazard, as well as containing dangerous additives with little nutritional value. Salty food like bacon rinds are also potentially hazardous, because birds can’t process the high levels of salt in human food. So while birds love peanuts, use plain, unseasoned ones that have been certified as safe for birds
• Milk causes gut problems in birds and although some can eat fermented dairy - robins love mild grated cheddar - it’s best to err on the side of caution and avoid dairy products
• Just as it does to humans, mouldy food can make birds ill. Make sure to store your bird food somewhere dry and clean out your bird feeder every few days to make sure food hasn’t gone off. This is especially important if you live in a city, or near water, as this food could attract rats

This Product Guide was last updated in July 2026. We apologise if anything has changed in price or availability. 

]]> The best bird box cameras in 2025 https://www.gardenersworld.com/product-guides/nature/best-bird-box-cameras/ Wed, 19 Feb 2025 15:40:12 GMT https://www.gardenersworld.com/product-guides/nature/best-bird-box-cameras/ Capture the wildlife in your back garden with these bird box cameras A bird box provides a safe place for birds to build their nests and a specialist bird box camera can give you a closer look at the birds raising their families in your garden without causing disruption.

The cameras are small, relatively affordable and easy to set up – there's no need to pay for professional installation. There are a variety of bird box cameras to choose from including wired and wireless, HD, cameras with audio and those with night vision. 

Once you've chosen a bird box camera from the list below, take a look at our guide on how to install a bird box camera. If you are looking for a new DIY project, we also have instructions on how to make a bird box and how to put one up (part 1 and part 2). 

For more ways to encourage wildlife into your garden, we suggest checking out our selection of the best bird feeders, bat boxes and hedgehog houses, or be inspired by our guide to wildlife gifts.

Types of bird box camera

Before you choose the type of bird box camera you need, think about how much you want to spend, if you would prefer a wireless bird box camera and whether you want to capture audio. 

If you would like to hear, as well as see what's going on inside the bird box, then you need to choose a bird box camera with a microphone. Some models have the microphone in-built, while others require you to buy one separately. 

The second consideration is choosing between a wired and wireless bird box camera. A wired camera is typically cheaper and has a cable running from the bird box to a Digital Video Recorder or to a TV. 

Wireless bird box cameras may be more expensive but they offer more flexibility. Without the need for cables, a wireless camera connects to your Wi-Fi network and streams the footage straight to a smartphone or tablet. 

If you're willing to pay a little more, consider investing in an HD bird box camera. The video footage from an HD camera will be clearer and better quality and allows you to see smaller details you might otherwise have missed.

To capture footage at night, the bird box camera will also need IR LED lights to ensure the camera keeps recording without disrupting the birds. Most of the best bird box cameras now have this capability.

The best bird box cameras

Green Feathers Wi-Fi HD Bird Box Camera

Price: £148.99

Buy Green Feathers Wi-Fi HD Bird Box Camera from Robert Dyas

This compact wireless camera is designed to work with most styles of bird box and provides HD 1080p footage of birds nesting and feeding. The wide-angle lens should capture all corners of the bird box and it has an accompanying app so you can still access footage on a smartphone or tablet when you're away from the house.

There's also a MicroSD slot to provide additional storage space on the device and a microphone to capture audio. If you don't already have a nest box, Green Feathers also sells the camera with a large, FSC certified timber bird box.

Gardenature Side View Bird Box Camera

Price: £59.99 (camera ready box only, camera available separately)

Available from Gardennature

This Camera Ready Nest Box does not include a camera but has the appropriate fittings to house a Gardennature bird box camera kit or nest box IP Camera kit.

RSPB Nest Box Camera System

Price: £160

Buy RSPB Nest Box Camera at RSPB Shop

With 30m of cable to connect the camera to your TV or computer, this bird box doesn't need to be positioned next to a outdoor power source. The camera produces full colour images during the day, has LEDs for night vision and a microphone to record any sound made by the birds.

The accompanying nest box is made in the UK from FSC certified timber and is suitable for a number of species including blue tits, grey tits and sparrows. It can also be converted into an open front bird box  for robins and wrens, if you prefer.

Green Feathers Complete DIY Timber Bird Nest Box with Wireless SD 700TVL Video Camera Kit

Price: from £69

Available from Amazon and Green Feathers

For a less expensive bird box camera this model comes in at the lower end of the market and includes everything you need to make your own bird box. The camera’s best feature is its HDMI receiver, which means you can hook this camera up to your TV and watch birds live.

Gardenature IP WiFi Camera Bird Box with Pitched Roof

Price: £179

Available from Gardennature

A traditional pitched-roof bird box will suit every style of garden. However, this roof hides a high-definition wide-angle camera that streams footage to a phone. It also offers motion detection, and picks up clear sound thanks to a sensitive microphone.

This product guide was last updated in February 2025. We apologise if anything has changed in price or availability.

]]> The best wildlife and trail cameras for your garden in 2025 https://www.gardenersworld.com/product-guides/nature/best-wildlife-cameras/ Wed, 05 Feb 2025 14:16:12 GMT https://www.gardenersworld.com/product-guides/nature/best-wildlife-cameras/ See your garden visitors in their natural habitat with our pick of wildlife cameras. Gardens can be a hotbed of activity for local wildlife, but much of this activity happens out of sight. Whether it’s nocturnal creatures such as badgers, foxes or hedgehogs, or elusive visitors like rabbits, we often miss a lot of the goings on in our outdoor spaces. One way to get a closer look at these, and other wildlife in our gardens, is by using a wildlife camera or trail camera. These are digital cameras designed to be set up outdoors and left to film or photograph. They're contained in robust, weatherproof, often camouflaged cases, so can be left out in all weathers, often catching footage over several days or even weeks, and they're able to last this long as they're powered by battery or solar panel. The majority work in daylight, low light and complete darkness and most have motion sensors or are triggered by heat, so they start filming as soon as something passes by. If you’re curious about investing in a wildlife or trail camera then this guide contains some of the best on the market, plus we've got some great advice on how to pick the right one for you and how to set up your wildlife camera.

View Affiliate Playlist on the source website

Want to attract wildlife into your garden? See our guides to the best hedgehog houses and bird boxes or make your own with our guides to building a hedgehog house and nest box. And if you're looking for tools to help you build a home for your wildlife or fix your camera to a post, see our expert review on the best multi-tools, cordless drills and guide to the best drill bits.

Buying a wildlife camera- video

Our guide to choosing a camera for your wildlife watching

View Green Video on the source website

Jump to:

• The best wildlife cameras
• How to choose a wildlife camera?
• Jargon busting
• Things to look out for
• Kate’s Top Tips
• How to set up a wildlife camera
• How to attract more wildlife to your garden

The best wildlife cameras in 2025

Crenova 20MP 4K Trail Camera

Available from Amazon

We love that this camera comes with a 32GB memory card included as standard. It shoots 20MP stills, and up to 4K videos. Thanks to 3 PIR sensors at different angles, it has a 120° detection angle and up to 20m effective detection range, and a good IP66 waterproof rating. With a remarkable 0.2s trigger time, we think this is a fantastic general-use trail camera.

Price: £99 £79.80 (save £19.20 or 16%)

Latest Deals

Technaxx Full HD Birdcam TX-165

Available from Amazon and The Range

Bird-lovers will appreciate this inventive wildlife camera. It sits inside a bird feeder, so you can attract birds and watch them feed. It also has a water dish, and a hook for hanging suet cakes or seed balls. Shooting in 1920x1080p and taking 20MP photos, it’s rated to IP56 weatherproofing, and comes with a handy mount for fixing it to trees. However, if you want to capture more than birds, bear in mind that this camera has a short PIR range of just 50cm, and its focus is set at 0.15mm for capturing feeding birds up close.

Price: £110.77

Latest Deals

For more on filming birds, check out our guide to the best bird box cameras.

Solognac BG100 12MP 1080p Wildlife Camera

• Available from Decathlon

This camera is a good option if budget is a consideration and we think it makes a good entry point camera. It records sound, has a maximum memory of 32GB, and captures stills, video, and hybrid images. Shooting photos in 12MP and footage in 1080x720p, images are stamped with temperature, moon phase, time and date. However, the short detection range of just 10m as well as the limited 45° detection angle and 52° field of view mean this camera is best placed by foxholes, warrens or sets rather than big lawns.

Price: £99.99

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LTL Acorn 5210A 12MP Wildlife Camera

Available from Amazon

This trail camera has a short 20m detection range and 52° field of view, but it has three PIR sensors with a total range of 100°, so it’s good for detecting a lot of action over a small area. It only needs 4 AA batteries, but also has capacity for 8 AA batteries in if you need more power. It has an adequate trigger time of 0.8s, and its lo-glow flash is effective to 20 metres. Photos are stamped with the temperature in both Fahrenheit and Celsius, the time, date and even the moon phase, which is interesting to see how moonlight affects nocturnal behaviour. It shoots stills, video, timelapse, motion detection, and hybrid footage, and also records sound. One great security feature is password protection, so your footage can’t be seen by anyone who happens upon the camera. However, it has no remote access or app and the IP rating is only 54, which is just about weatherproof but could be better.

Price: £129.99

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Usogood 4K Wildlife Camera

Available from Amazon UK

If you prioritise high-quality images and remote access to your camera then this camera is a great choice. Its bespoke app for IOS or Android makes setting parameters and accessing your images and videos easy, although the camera does need to be within 10m to connect to WiFi. Plus its sensors cover a large perimeter, with a 20 metre detection range and 120° detection angle, so it’s good at capturing footage of elusive, fast-moving animals.

Price: £39.99

Latest Deals

GardePro A3S Wildlife Camera (2022)

Available from Amazon

One of this camera’s most useful features is its ability to reduce files, so they're quicker to transfer and SD cards last a long time before they need to be replaced or overwritten. It can also support large SD cards, up to 512GB, so it's ideal for wildlife watchers who want to capture lots of footage without having to constantly clear or transfer files. Beyond its storage, this camera has a very quick 0.1s trigger time, and can take 32MP images at night, making it good for getting images of fast-moving nocturnal creatures.

Price: £99.99 £59.99 (save £40 or 40%)

Latest Deals

VOOPEAK Solar Wildlife Camera

Available from Voopeak

Eco-conscious gardeners will like this wildlife camera, which runs on solar power. Controlled by an iOS/Android app, it shoots photos at 46MP, video in 4K, and can shoot and detect up to 20 metres away. Unlike some of the other cameras on this list, it also comes with a tripod, so you’re free to place this camera wherever you need it, not just trees or fence posts.

Price: £283.07 £108.01 (save £175.06 or 62%)

Jargon busting - choosing a wildlife camera

These cameras may seem complex at first, often coming with features and jargon that makes it hard to decipher which camera's right for you. However, it’s often possible to find footage from wildlife cameras online, meaning you can review footage and get an idea of the quality of the cameras in your price range before making a decision.
As with any other product, your own needs and wants should be your first considerations. Your budget and how often you’ll use the camera are two important factors to work out first. You don’t want to splurge on a camera you’ll only use a few times a year, but you shouldn’t shy away from spending on your camera if you have a passion for wildlife photography.
With the help of some insight from our colleagues at Radio Times’ terrific tech testing team, we get into the weeds below:

Field of View or FOV: Describes the area a camera can film and photograph. Fov is often measured in degrees and while larger FOVs are typically more desirable, an FOV that’s too large risks losing finer details.

Wildlife camera PIR sensors: Passive infrared (PIR) sensors are how wildlife cameras detect animals so they can begin recording. These sensors monitor the background temperature of foliage, and if an animal steps in front of the foliage, the sudden temperature change triggers the camera to activate and begin recording.
The best cameras have multiple PIR sensors at different angles across their field of view, to capture animals at the periphery of the camera. The number of sensors also informs the detection range - the wider the angle on the PIR sensors, the more is detected and therefore recorded.

Lo-glow Vs n0-glow wildlife cameras: Common terms in wildlife camera jargon are ‘lo-glow’ and ‘no-glow’. Wildlife cameras are often used to capture images of nocturnal animals but they can't illuminate the animals with a bright flash, like a standard camera may do in the dark, as this might stun or scare them. To fix this, ‘lo-glow’ cameras have IR (infrared) LEDs (light emitting diodes), which illuminate the animals with invisible, low-frequency IR light. This achieves a similar effect to a bright camera flash without scaring the animals. However, lo-glow cameras give off a very faint red glow that can warn animals away.
No-glow cameras have a higher infrared frequency than lo-glow cameras. This means their glow is only detectable if you look directly at their LEDs, so no animals are scared away. However, this affects picture quality, and images may appear a little blurry.

IP Rating: An IP (ingress protection) rating is a measure of weatherproofing in electrical equipment. Usually written as an abbreviation and two numbers, e.g. IP65, the first digit displays how dustproof the equipment is, and the second how waterproof it is. Dustproofing goes from 1-6, with 6 being entirely dustproof. Waterproofing goes from 1-9, with 9 being completely waterproof, and 5 being weatherproof. Wildlife cameras need to work in all sorts of weather, so aim for an IP rating of 55 and above.

Things to look out for in a wildlife camera

Consider the following features and options before you choose your camera:

• Trigger time and shutter speed. The trigger time and shutter speed is how long it takes for the sensors to detect an animal and for the camera to start shooting. On trail cameras, this is usually between 0.1 and 1 second. A basic rule of thumb is that the shorter the trigger time, the better the camera - it makes the difference between capturing an animal moving quickly across the camera and not. Trigger time tends to be slower for video, but video has the advantage of capturing more than a camera.
• Recovery time. How long it takes for the camera to be ready to shoot again. This is important if the camera can shoot images and video at the same time. If the recovery time is too long, the camera will trigger to shoot an image, then it will take a few seconds to recover and shoot video, by which time the animal will have moved on. Like trigger time, the shorter the recovery time the better.
• Field of view. How widely or narrowly the camera is focused. There are no set rules with this, and it depends on what kind of footage you’re trying to capture. A bigger field of view captures a wider area, but animals look smaller. A smaller field of view captures less in better definition. For a general overview of a lawn, go for a higher focal length; to focus on one area (e.g. a badger set), go for a smaller focal length.
• Megapixels. Just like a TV, phone, or laptop, the higher the megapixels (MP), the clearer the image. However, the higher the MP, the more space your photos and videos will take up on the SD card.
• Memory. These cameras record to SD (secure digital) memory cards, which are removable digital storage for photos. SD cards have memory capacity measured in gigabytes (GB), and the golden rule here is that the higher the GB, the more memory, but the more the SD card will cost. It’s always good to check the maximum GB your camera can handle. You don’t want to splash out on a 128GB SD only to find that it’s incompatible with your camera.
• Modes. There are various camera modes depending on what you want to see. Wildlife cameras usually shoot still images or motion-detection video. The best cameras also have time-lapse functions. It’s also good to get a camera with a microphone, so you can hear animals too.
• Power supply. Most wildlife cameras run on AA batteries, but they can also run on rechargeable batteries, or solar power. AA batteries are the cheapest and most reliable, but need replacing, and aren’t eco-friendly. Rechargeable batteries save money long term, but they don’t hold charge for as long as AAs, so need taking out and charging. Solar batteries are the most eco-friendly and charge themselves, but if you live somewhere without a lot of sun, these may not work as well.
• Remote access. Some cameras let you see images over 3G, 4G, or WiFi, which means you can monitor what’s happening on your phone, tablet or laptop. However, this drains batteries.
• Security. Most trail cameras will be used in secure back gardens but you can also use them to spot animals on a public footpath or in parks, with the obvious risk that your camera might be stolen. If you plan to do this check the camera has a lockable strap, password protection, a hole for a thin chain lock, or fits into a cage.
• Screen. A camera with a screen makes setup easier and means you can review your images.

Kate’s Top Tips

Our Wildlife Editor Kate Bradbury has somehelpful tips for using these cameras:

• When setting up, consider the angle of the camera. Do you want a wide shot of the garden or a close up of the animals visiting a particular area, such as a feeding station?
• Be careful not to point the camera at a nearby hard surface, such as a wall or raised piece of ground, as the light from the camera can reflect back from it and ruin your video.
• Remove plant debris such as grass or other stems from in front of the camera – there's nothing worse than 26 clips of grass stems swaying in the breeze.
• Avoid putting the camera out when it's really windy or rainy – you'll get few good clips and the camera could be damaged if knocked over.

How to set up a wildlife camera

Setting up a wildlife camera is a simple process that allows you to observe the natural activities of animals in your garden or outdoor space. Here's a quick step-by-step to get you started:

1. Choose a location and set up: Select a spot where wildlife activity is frequent, such as near bird feeders, the centre of your garden, or animal trails. Ensure the camera is positioned so its view is not obstructed. Use a sturdy, stable mount or strap to attach the camera to a tree, post, or fence. Position it at an appropriate height, you usually want this to capture animals at their eye level.

2. Choose the right settings and power: Set the date and time, choose photo or video mode, and select resolution settings based on your camera's capabilities. Depending on the camera, you might use batteries or an external power source. Ensure the camera is powered enough to capture the length of footage you desire.

3. Test: Test the camera before leaving it unattended. Adjust the angle and focus it to ensure the camera captures the right area and isn’t being triggered to film when it shouldn’t be. Then insert a memory card to store your pictures and film. The bigger the memory card the more footage/pictures it can hold.

4. Think about the weather: If your camera isn't weather-resistant, consider using a waterproof casing or covering to shield it from rain and other elements.

5. Check the footage: Regularly check the camera to review the footage and adjust settings if needed. Retrieve the memory card to view the captured wildlife moments on your computer or phone.

How to attract more wildlife to your garden

A wildlife camera provides a glimpse of the visitors you might otherwise miss. Whatever the season, and the location of your garden, there are sure to be a range of species paying it a visit, and there are lots of things you can do to make your garden even more appealing to wildlife, increasing your chances of spotting something on camera.

If you’d like to see some hedgehogs, why not build them a home. With a basic design, you can create a safe habitat for them to sleep, nest and hibernate. These houses also prevent larger mammals, such as cats, foxes, and badgers, from getting in. Or, alternatively, buy one ready built, browse our guide for ideas.

You might also use your camera to keep an eye on the birds, focusing the camera on a feeder, and enjoying a much closer view. You can even buy cameras to put in bird boxes, so you can watch birds raising their young without disrupting the nest.

One of the best ways to attract more wildlife into your garden is to create a pond - not only will you spot amphibians and invertebrates, you’ll also see mammals drinking from the pond. Pop your camera nearby for plenty of wildlife wonders.

This article was last updated in January 2025. We apologise if anything has changed in price or availability.

]]> The best bat boxes for roosting and hibernating bats in 2024 https://www.gardenersworld.com/product-guides/nature/best-bat-boxes/ Fri, 15 Mar 2024 10:45:51 GMT https://www.gardenersworld.com/product-guides/nature/best-bat-boxes/ Our pick of the best bat boxes to help bat populations in your garden. Bats are nocturnal mammals, taking to the air at night to catch prey such as mosquitoes and midges. During the day they roost in quiet, undisturbed places such as caves, tree holes and the gaps beneath bark on old trees. They may also roost in house roofs. You can transform your garden into a nature-friendly zone with a bat box, designed to mimic bats’ natural roosting sites and help them rest and hibernate in peace and quiet.

Bats use different roosts at different times of the year. Female bats gather together in summer to form a maternity roost, where they give birth and suckle their young. These tend to be warm and dry, compared to the cool, constant temperatures of winter roosts, which bats use for hibernation. By erecting bat boxes in several locations in your garden, including against exterior walls, you will provide a range of habitats throughout the year.
A bat box can be put up at any time of year but if you install one before bats return in spring, it will hopefully be used in the summer. Location however, is key. The ideal spot is at least 4m above the ground, to avoid interference from other wildlife or domestic pets, and sheltered from strong winds. Areas where bats are known to feed are also a good start and take advantage of their tendency to use hedge and tree lines for navigation by placing your bat box near these. You can attach boxes to tree trunks, exterior walls or under the eaves of your house.

Bat boxes usually have narrow slits that bats can crawl into. They need to be draught free, as bats won't use them if they're draughty and a well-insulated box retains its temperature more consistently, and is therefore more likely to attract bats.
There are several designs to choose from. Wooden bat boxes are usually box-shaped or flat, with a grooved ‘bat ladder’ and a slit at the bottom, for access. They should be made with untreated wood and have a rough texture inside, such as rough-sawn timber, which the bats can cling on to. Woodcrete bat boxes, which are made from wood fibres mixed with concrete, are becoming popular as they are long lasting and durable.

Finally, to encourage bats into your garden, grow pollinator friendly plants such as evening primrose and honeysuckle to bring in moths, which bats love, leave a patch of grass to grow long for the insect larvae bats feed on and if you have the space include a small water feature to encourage midges etc. A compost heap will also become a home for bat prey and if yoou hvae lighting in the garden, make sure it's low level or erect hoods over the top so it doesn't disorientate bats in flight.

We’ve pulled together a selection of bat boxes to put up in your garden, below.

To encourage more wildlife into your garden, read our guides to the best bird feeders, best hedgehog houses and best bird tables. And check out our guide to the best wildlife cameras to capture images and video of animals in their natural habitats.

For more on creating habitats for wildlife see our video on how to make a bat box and our guide to the different types of bird box.

The best bat boxes in 2024

Beaumaris Woodstone Bat Box Maxi

The Beaumaris Bat Box is made from WoodStone, a durable mix of concrete and wood fibres, which provides a draught-proof space that maintains an even temperature. It's also what gives it its lifetime warranty. This design has a rough interior to enable bats to cling.

Price: £49.99

Buy Beaumaris Woodstone Bat Box Maxi from CJ Wildlife

Wildlife World Conservation Bat Box

Made using FSC timber, the Conservation Bat Box has two vertical chambers with a grooved ladder which enables bats to climb in and cling. The roof is sloping to keep the box dry. It has a natural finish with just the front panel painted in a water-based paint.

Price: £69.99

Buy Wildlife World Conservation Bat Box from Amazon

Eco Kent Bat Box

The Eco Kent Bat Box is made by Nestbox using FSC wood and features two internal crevices, ideal for common bats species such as pipistrelles. Inside the wood is roughly sawn to give bats a good grip.

Price: £54.05

Buy Eco Kent Bat Box from B & Q

Medium Wooden Bat Box

This sturdy bat box has a grooved ladder and entrance slit for safe entry and exit, designed to be accessible only to bats, so predators can’t get in. The wooden design will fit in nicely amongst garden trees, ready for bats to settle into in the daytime for roosting.

Price: £16.95

Buy the Medium Wooden Bat Box from Sarah Raven

Ecostyrocrete Three Crevice Bat Box

Ecostyrocrete is made using recycled polystyrene mixed with cement. It's a durable, long-lasting material that's perfect for making insulated, draught-proof wildlife habitats. This handmade bat box features three crevices for roosting bats, and can be tailored to be fixed to a tree or wall.

Price: £72

Buy Ecostyrocrete Three Crevice Bat Box from greenwoodsecohabitats.co.uk

Harlech Woodstone Bat Box

Long-lasting woodcrete ensures a well-insulated and draught-free space for roosting bats. Guaranteed for 10 years.

Price: £24.99

Buy Harlech Woodstone Bat Box from CJ Wildlife

Almodovar Wooden Bat Box

This large, black box is designed to host a greater number of bats of different species, including brown long-eared bats. It has two two sections with grooved internal ladders that bats can cling on to.

Price: £64.99

Buy Almodovar Wooden Bat Box from CJ Wildlife

Chillon Woodstone Bat Box

This woodstone bat box can house up to 15 pipistrelle bats at a time. It has a textured ‘landing ramp’ to enable bats to cling on easily.  Being made from woodstone, this box is durable, draught-free and long lasting, and is guaranteed for 10 years.

Price: £37.99

Buy the Chillon Woodstone Bat Box from CJ Wildlife

This Product Guide was last updated in March 2024. We apologise if anything has changed in price or availability.

]]> Seven of the best bird nesting boxes https://www.gardenersworld.com/product-guides/nature/best-nesting-boxes/ Fri, 14 Jan 2022 14:30:06 GMT https://www.gardenersworld.com/product-guides/nature/best-nesting-boxes/ Introduce beautiful British birds to your garden with our guide to bird nesting boxes. Birds are in decline across the country, but you can help to turn the tide with a bird nesting box.

Changes to climate, farming practices and urban landscapes have changed how birds nest. With fewer trees and wooden barns to build nests in, mating pairs of many birds are declining. With a bird nesting box you can offer them shelter and be thanked with beautiful birdsong.

Birds make fantastic wild companions and encouraging birds into your garden is a great way to introduce you and your family to British wildlife. They can even help in the garden, eating common garden pests like snails and aphids.

If you put food out for them to eat and a bird bath where they can drink and wash, you can attract these characterful creatures and provide a much-needed sanctuary.

We’ve curated a list of bird nesting boxes - from the understated to the unique - to help you choose the perfect one for your garden.

Looking for other ways to attract birds to your garden? Have a look at our lists guides to the best nutritious feeds, best bird feeders and best bird baths. For help watching birds, check out our guides to the best wildlife cameras and bird box cameras, or be inspired by our guide to wildlife gifts.

Current advice from the RSPB suggests avoiding the use of bird tables, because there is evidence to suggest that some birds may be more exposed to disease if fed on flat surfaces.

Types of bird boxes

Different birds have different needs, so if you’re looking to introduce birds to your garden this way it's a good idea to have a range of nesting boxes.

Robin nesting box

Robins like small but open-faced bird boxes.

Swift nesting box

Swifts love high, long nesting boxes, with a small crevice opening to hide in.

Sparrow nesting box

Sparrows are largely unfussed by type, but prefer little, square nests with a small entry hole.

Blue tit nesting box

Blue tits love small, round nesting boxes that mimic holes in oak trees.

Seven of the best nesting boxes

See our pick of a range of nesting boxes, below:

National Trust CJ Wildlife Build Your Own Nest Box Kit

This build-your-own bird nesting box kit is a perfect DIY project. Customise this box however you like, as the birds won’t mind as long as they have a warm place to sleep. A fantastic starting point for teaching children the basics of DIY while learning about - and caring for - the natural world.

Price: £12.99

Buy National Trust CJ Wildlife Build Your Own Nest Box Kit at Birdfood.co.uk

Johnston & Jeff Middleton Swift Box

Swifts are magical birds, spending almost their entire lives in the air and they summer throughout northern Europe and winter in Sub-Saharan Africa. A swift nesting box offers this remarkable species one of the few places they’ll ever land.

Price: £30.99

Buy the Johnston & Jeff Middleton Swift Box at Amazon

CJ Wildlife House Martin Nest Box

House martins are fascinating birds, breeding and raising their young in the UK but wintering somewhere unknown in Africa - some have even been spotted as far south as Namibia. This bird nesting box perfectly mimics their mud nests, and is designed to be fitted under eaves, beams, and windowsills, just like real house martin nests. What’s more, this bird nesting box comes with two nests, so you can watch two broods of this intriguing species mature for the long flight southwards.

Price: £22.99

Buy CJ Wildlife House Martin Nest Box from CJ Wildlife and Amazon

Wildlife World Artisan Nester Shesali

This unique bird nesting box not only provides for birds, but for humans too.  Made from recycled saris it has no plastic and is Fairtrade, ensuring high working standards and fair pay for the Bangladeshi workers who make them. A great product for ethical consumers.

Price: £17.99

Buy the Shesali  Artisan Nester from Ethical Superstore

Wildlife World Blue Tit Nest Box

One of the most common birds in Britain, blue tits are also the most likely to take to a bird nesting box. They’re an especially helpful companion for gardeners, because they love to eat aphids. For the joy of birdsong and some free pest control, look no further than this FSC-certified birch bird nesting box.

Price: £21.60

Buy Wildlife World Blue Tit Nest Box on Amazon

Riverside Woodcraft Sparrow Terrace

Sparrows are one of the most common birds in Europe and one of the most social. Few birds are as unbothered by human beings as sparrows, which is why they’re commonly found in towns. Though populous in Europe, the numbers of house sparrows has collapsed in the UK in recent years. This bird nesting box offers space for three different nests at once, so you can help to revitalise this mainstay of British wildlife.

Price: £39.99

Buy Plant Theatre Sparrow Loft on Amazon

Wildlife World Woodpecker Box

Woodpeckers are one of nature’s more striking birds, hammering into tree bark with their beaks to pick out ants, grubs and larvae with long, thin tongues. This industrious tapping is one of the most distinctive sounds of  British wildlife. This FSC-certified bird nesting box is specifically designed for woodpeckers to roost - just put it in a tall tree facing away from the prevailing wind.

Price: £129.99

Buy Wildlife World Woodpecker Box from Wildlife World

This Product Guide was last updated in April 2022 and we apologise if anything has changed in price or availability.

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