GB2240910A - Nesting boxes - Google Patents

Abstract

A nesting box for birds or other creatures is provided with periscope mirrors to enable an observer to view the activities of the occupants without disturbing them. <IMAGE>

Description

ACCOMMODATION FOR SMALL CREATURES This invention relates to accommodation for small creatures and is concerned particularly, but not exclusively with nesting boxes for birds.

Nesting boxes have been known for a considerable time and are intended to provide shelter for small birds wherein they may build a nest, lay their eggs and hatch and nurture their young until they are fit and able to leave the nest.

Nesting boxes are generally provided with a small sized hole, typically three quarters to one inch in diameter, through which the parent bird or birds may enter, but which is small enough to prevent entry by unwanted larger birds and other possible predators.

A small perch or shelf is usually provided just below the entry hole and the occupant bird alights on that perch before entering the nesting box through the hole.

Such boxes are generally fixed or mounted on to a tree, a post, or on a fence or garden shed and afford considerable amusement and interest to people who delight in watching the antics of the parent birds as they fly to and fro, first with nesting material and later, after laying and hatching the eggs, with food for the young.

However, it has hitherto not been possible to observe the progress of the birds or their feeding habits whilst they are inside the nesting box, without causing disturbance or fright by trying to peer in through the entry hole.

It is an object of the invention to provide a nesting box for birds or other creatures having facilities whereby the occupants may be readily observed without disturbing them.

In accordance with the invention there is provided a nesting box having a system of mirrors which enable the interior of the box to be observed from without.

Preferably the nesting box has a compartment capable of accommodating small birds or other creatures, a hollow member adjacent the nesting box, and at least two mirrors arranged in periscope fashion within the hollow member, whereby an observer may see reflected in a mirror the interior of the nesting box.

Other aspects of the invention will become obvious from the following description which is given, by way of example only, with reference to the drawing which is a perspective view of a nesting box according to the invention with parts broken away to show interior portions thereof.

As seen in the drawing a nesting box 2 comprises a hollow box-like accommodation area 4 having side walls 6, a front wall 8 and a rear wall 10. The front wall is provided with an entry hole 12 and a perching shelf 14.

The rear wall 10 is formed as a lattice work screen 16 of wire or plastics material. The front wall 8 is formed with an opening 18 and an open mesh screen 20 prevents the unwanted entry of larger birds or other predators therethrough.

As seen in the drawing a gable roof 22 is provided.

The nesting box also includes a hollow column 24 having side walls 26, 28, a front wall 30 and a rear wall 32. Battens 34 are mounted on the rear wall to enable the complete assembly to be mounted on a tree, a post or outbuilding as desired. The front wall is formed with a sighting hole 35.

Within the hollow column are mounted mirrors 36, 38 at corresponding angles i.e. 450 to the vertical, and as indicated by the arrows in the drawing, allow an observer to look through the sighting hole and, using the mirrors as a periscope, to see the interior and occupants of the nesting accommodation through the lattice work screen 16, part of which has been removed in the drawing for clarity.

If desired, a screen similar to that forming the rear wall 16 may be provided to restrict entry of unwanted creatures through the hole 35.

As shown, the roof 22 extends over both the nesting accommodation and the top of the hollow column.

In use, the nesting box is mounted so that the sighting hole 35 is approximately 5 feet 2 inches above ground level, that being the average eye level.

Variations may be made to the specific embodiment described, e.g. a camera or video recorder may be mounted adjacent the sighting hole to record the behaviour of the occupants as visible through the periscope mirrors.

Further, although the invention has been described with reference to a nesting box for birds, the same principle may be incorporated in respect of accommodation for other creatures, e.g. pet mice, rats, hamsters to enable their habits to be observed undisturbed.

Claims (11)

1. A nesting box having an accommodation compartment capable of accommodating small birds and other creatures, and at least two mirrors arranged in periscope fashion, whereby the contents of the nesting box may be observed from therewithout.

2. A nesting box according to claim 1 wherein the mirrors are located within a hollow member adjacent the accommodation compartment.

3. A nesting box according to claim 2 wherein a sighting hole is formed within the hollow member adjacent one of the periscope mirrors.

4. A nesting box according to claim 2 or claim 3 wherein a further mirror is located adjacent the accommodation compartment.

5. A nesting box according to claims 1 - 4 (inclusive) wherein part of a rear wall of the accommodation compartment is formed as a light pervious screen.

6. A nesting box according to claim 5 wherein the light pervious screen is an open mesh screen.

7. A nesting box according to any of the above claims wherein the accommodation compartment is formed with an outwardly facing light pervious opening.

8. A nesting box according to claim 7 wherein the opening is provided with an open mesh screen.

9. A nesting box according to any of the above claims wherein a wall of the accommodation compartment is formed with an opening through which a small creature may enter therein or depart therefrom.

10. A nesting box according to any of the above claims which is provided with a sloping roof attached thereto.

11. A nesting box according to claim 10 wherein the roof is a gable roof.