Where to spot the Black Redstart in London, England, United Kingdom?

The Black Redstart is regularly reported in London, England, United Kingdom on the eBird platform, mainly in parks, gardens and nearby wooded areas.

Which nest box suits the Black Redstart?

1.5 m to 3 m East or South-East, not exposed to dominant winds. The nest box should lean slightly forward.

Phoenicurus ochruros · Muscicapidae

Seen in London, England, United Kingdom

London is located in United Kingdom. Approximate coordinates: 51.507, -0.128.

For the Black Redstart, the reference plan from nichoirs.net is:

Recommended internal dimensions: 120 × 200 × 150 mm (width × height × depth).

Entrance hole diameter: 150×70 mm.

Height : 1.5 m to 3 m
Orientation : East or South-East, not exposed to dominant winds. The nest box should lean slightly forward.
Support : Wall, securely fixed. Avoid nearby branches or ledges to prevent predator access.
When to install : From autumn or early winter. At the latest in March or April.
Precautions : Choose a quiet location. The nest box should not be exposed to direct sunlight all day, nor be in permanent shade, but partially shaded during hot hours. A distance of 200 m is recommended between two identical nest boxes for the White Wagtail but this distance is not documented for other species. No perch. Do not place any bedding (straw, moss) inside. Check for overwintering inhabitants before cleaning.

Frequency : 1x/year
Method : Empty accumulated materials, brush the bottom with a wire brush, use a blowtorch to destroy parasites. In case of heavy infestation, rinse with clear water, possibly with a little soda lye, then let it dry thoroughly.
Products to avoid : Never use chemical products or disinfectants, nor insecticides or anti-flea treatments.
When to install : Late September or early October (after the breeding season). If not done, possibly before the nesting period, in early spring, just before the birds start nesting (February).
Precautions : Unhatched eggs can only be removed between September and January (or August and January in Scotland). Part of the nest box (roof, front or side) must be removable to facilitate cleaning. Wear gloves. Make sure it is not occupied by other species (bats, dormice, bees, wasps, hornets) before cleaning. Parasites may be present even in winter.

Sources: LPO, Natagora, Vogelbescherming, RSPB, NABU, nichoirs.net.

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