Description
This bird likes to breed in old, even rotting, nesting boxes. No panic if the nesting box is not immediately inhabited in the first years. It's also never bad to leave other old nesting boxes hanging. Red-breasted Flycatchers prefer large entrances.
Because the oval opening of the nesting box is slightly larger than a circular one, more light enters the box while larger birds still can't get in. The oval opening is also used by the male to display his courtship while standing.
INSTALLATION
Since the redstart breeds less often in buildings than the black redstart, it is recommended to hang the box in trees or shrubs. If the box is installed at the end of March/beginning of April, the chance is greater that it is not yet occupied by tits when the redstart returns from migration. Old forests and parks with a number of old firs are preferred. Place the nest box at a height of two to five meters with the opening to the east or northeast.
MAINTENANCE
This bird usually returns to the nest from the previous year. It is therefore important to clean the nest well every autumn. Cleaning can be done from the front, which is easy to open.
