How to make a house sparrow nest box

Help house sparrow populations in Essex thrive by making a nest box.

In spring 2025, hundreds of people across Essex surveyed their gardens for the House Sparrow Project.

One of the key findings of this study was that breeding house sparrows were more likely to be found in gardens with nest boxes.

These are most effective when arranged in clusters (3-4), with entrance holes between 31-35mm.

We want to thank Colchester Institute's Level 1 Carpentry and Joinery learners for creating this guide.

Always wear eye protection, ear defenders, and follow safe working practice.

Tools and equipment:

Saw (a tenon is recommended for accurate straight cuts)
Hand plane (for smoothing edges)
Engineers’ square and steel ruler (for accuracy)
Pencil and marking gauge
Drill/driver with:
- 3 mm pilot drill bit
- Countersink bit
- Pozidriv bit
- Forstner bit
Screwdriver (No.2 PZ)
Bench vice and clamps

Materials and fixings:

150 × 19 mm pine board (approx. 1.5 m length)
3.0 × 30 mm and 3.0 × 35 mm screws
Brass hinge and optional hook latch
Non-toxic exterior finish (optional)

Marking out:
Use your steel ruler, square, and pencil to mark the following:

Part	Length (mm)	Width (mm)	Notes
Base	130	130	Internal fit
Front	220	130	Drill 30-35 mm entrance hole
Back	450	130	Extends above roof for fixing
Sides ×2	250	130	Front edge cut to 200 mm
Roof	200	130	Overhangs front/sides

Check all measurements twice (“measure twice, cut once”).

Wooden plank with marked out sections for a nestbox

Using a saw to cut through wooden plank.

Cutting out components:
Clamp your board securely and use the tenon saw to cut along the waste side of your lines.

Maintain a straight, steady sawing action.

Drilling the entrance hole:
Use the Forstner bit on a pillar drill for accuracy and safety.
Mark the centre point 40–50 mm from the top of the front panel. Drill slowly until the bit just breaks through.

This creates a clean, circular entrance hole ideal for small garden birds.