WB2: Medium wildlife box

How much you’llwill be paid paid

£27.91 per box.

HowWhere thisto itemuse benefitsthis the environmentitem

InstallingAvailable afor mediumCountryside wildlifeStewardship boxMid providesTier, artificialHigher nesting,Tier roosting and hibernationCapital sitesGrants

In forMid specificTier mammalsit andcan birds.only Thisbe includesused treewith sparrowoptions HS1 and targeted bat species.HS8

Where you can use this item 

YouFor canHigher useTier thisand itemCapital toGrants provideit ais wildlife box either:available:

• for thetree targetsparrow, species dormouse, tree sparrows, targeted bat species or invertebrate pollinators
• for other(these targetare species with the support‘target ofspecies’), aunless NaturalRSPB, England, Buglife or thea RoyalNatural SocietyEngland forbird Protectionspecialist ofsupport Birdsits (RSPB)use adviserfor another species
• wherewhen there’sthe summerother year-round target species’ requirements (summer and winter foraging habitathabitat) availableare allbeing yearmet foron the targetholding species on or near your landnearby

WhatHow youthis mustitem dowill tobenefit usethe this itemenvironment

YouIt must:provides artificial nesting, roosting and hibernation sites for specific mammals and birds. This includes tree sparrow and targeted bat species.

• place

  Requirements

  Each each box should be sited in an appropriate location

• clean outand thecleaned boxesout in the autumn,autumn unless(October it’sand beingNovember), usedunless by hibernating or roosting bats

Evidence youare mustusing keep 

Youit. Each box must keepbe photographsmaintained ofin thegood completedcondition, workwith andany providedamage themor withlosses yourmade claim.good during the agreement term.

Keeping records

YouAgreement mustholders alsowill need to keep the following records and providesupply them on request:

• any consents or permissions connected with the work
• receipted invoicesinvoices, or bank statements where a receipted invoice is unavailable
• photographs of the proposed site for eachthe wildlife box
• athe recorddate ofthat the datenest youboxes cleanare cleaned out the boxes (unless they’re used by bats or invertebrates)

ReadPlease see the record keeping and siteinspection visit requirements inas theset Agreementout holder’sin guide:the Capitalrelevant Grants,Mid Tier, Higher Tier capitalor grantsCapital andGrants Protectionguidance andfor Infrastructuremore grantsdetail. forYou morecan information.

Advicefind tothe helplatest youguidance useat thisCountryside item

LocatingStewardship: boxesget forfunding differentto species

Boxesprotect forand allimprove speciesthe shouldland beyou keptmanage.

Agreement inholders theirwill originalneed locationto ifkeep they’rethe beingfollowing used.records Ifand theysupply arethem notwith beingthe usedclaim:

• photographs afterof yearthe 3,completed askwork

Advice Naturaland Englandsuggestions for relocationhow advice.

to carry out this item

StrapThe Boxesfollowing shouldsection begives strappedadvice toon treescarrying without wirethis anditem hosesuccessfully orbut rubberdoes tonot preventform treepart damage. 

Dormiceof boxes

Boxesthe shouldrequirements be:for this item.

• in

  Each ancientbox woodlandsmust orbe largemaintained hedgerowsin –good avoidcondition, isolatedwith trees

• inany batchesdamage ofor atlosses leastmade 10good (ideallyduring overthe 50),agreement spacedterm.

  Location

  Keep 10the metresbox (m)in toits 20moriginal withlocation aroundif 30it boxesis perbeing hectare

• 1.5mused. toIf 2mit aboveis thenot groundbeing (overused 3mafter ifyear the3, publicask haveNatural access)
• awayEngland fromfor footpaths
• maderelocation ofadvice. untreatedBoxes timber
• basedshould onbe thestrapped Peoples’to Trusttrees forwith Endangeredwire Speciesand boxhose constructionor guidance

rubber to prevent tree damage.

Tree sparrow boxessparrows

Boxes should be:

• in farm buildings or hedgerow trees, ideally near permanent water such as ponds or ditches
• away from bird feeders or places cats and squirrels can easily access, with a secure lid
• out of the sunmidday for at least part of the daysun
• preservative-free if made of wood
• weatherproof with small drainage holes in the floor
• made from wood at least 1515mm millimetres (mm) thick with a 28mm entrance hole –- follow the RSPB and British Trust for Ornithology guidance

Bat boxesBats

Boxes should be:

• large enough for a maternity colony to cluster to conserve heat
• dry, rainproof and draught-free, with no gaps where the sides and top join
• entered by a slit at the base (front or back) no more than 15mm to 20mm wide –- follow the Bat Conservation Trust guidance
• where bats are known to feed
• preservative-free if made of wood
• sheltered from strong winds and sun for at least part of day
• close to a hedgerowhedgerow, or tree line or other linear vegetation feature
• placed with theone or two other boxes facing in different directions to offer a range of temperature conditions

Protected speciesBiodiversity

This item has been identified as being beneficial for biodiversity. All Countryside Stewardship habitat creation, restoration and management options are of great significance for biodiversity recovery, as are the wide range of arable options in the scheme. Capital items and supplements can support this habitat work depending on the holding’s situation and potential.

The connectivity of habitats is also very important and habitat options should be linked wherever possible. Better connectivity will allow wildlife to move/colonise freely to access water, food, shelter and breeding habitat, and will allow natural communities of both animals and plants to adapt in response to environmental and climate change.

Further information

Bats and their roosts are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.1981 It’s- it is an offence to disturb, handle or kill bats. A licence from Natural England is needed to inspect bat boxes that have been or are being used by bats.

Read Countryside Stewardship: get funding to protect and improve the land you manage to find out more information about Mid Tier, Higher Tier and Capital Grants including how to apply.