WB1: Small wildlife box

How much you’llwill be paid  paid

£11.95 per box. box.

HowWhere thisto itemuse benefitsthis the environment item

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

In forMid specificTier mammals,it birdscan andonly invertebrates. 

Wherebe youused canwith useoptions thisHS1 item  

and HS8.

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  
• forpollinators other(these targetare species with the support‘target ofspecies’), aunless Naturalan England,RSPB, Buglife or theNatural RoyalEngland Societyspecialist forsupports Protectionits ofuse Birdsfor (RSPB)another adviser 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 land  nearby

WhatHow youthis mustitem dowill tobenefit usethe this item environment

YouIt must: provides artificial nesting, roosting and hibernation sites for specific mammals, birds and invertebrates.

• place

  Requirements

  Each each box should be sited in an appropriate location 

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

Evidencebats 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: request:

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

Advicedetail. toYou helpcan youfind usethe thislatest item 

Theguidance followingat adviceCountryside mayStewardship: helpget youfunding to useprotect thisand item,improve butthe land you domanage.

Agreement notholders havewill toneed follow it to getkeep paid.the It’sfollowing notrecords partand ofsupply thisthem item’swith requirements.    the claim:

Locating

• photographs boxesof forthe differentcompleted species 

work

Boxes

Advice forand allsuggestions speciesfor shouldhow beto keptcarry inout theirthis originalitem

The locationfollowing ifsection they’regives beingadvice used.on Ifcarrying theyout arethis notitem beingsuccessfully usedbut afterdoes yearnot 3,form askpart Naturalof Englandthe requirements for relocationthis advice.  item.

Location

StrapKeep boxesthe tobox treesin withits wireoriginal andlocation, hosebut orif rubberit tois preventnot treebeing damage.   used after year 3, ask Natural England for relocation advice.

Dormice boxes 

Boxes should be: be:

• in ancient woodlands or large hedgerows –- avoid isolated trees trees
• in batches of at least 10 (ideally over 50), spaced 1010m metres (m) to 20m withat around 30 boxes per hectare hectare
• 1.5m to 2m above the groundground, (overand over 3m if the public have access) access
• away from footpaths footpaths
• made of untreated timber timber
• based on the Peoples’PTES Trust for Endangered Species box construction guidance guidance

Tree sparrow boxes sparrows

Boxes should be: be:

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

Bat boxes Bats

Boxes should be: be:

• large enough for a maternity colony to cluster to conserve heat heat
• dry, rainproof and draught-free, with no gaps where the sides and top join join
• entered by a slit at the base (front or back) no more than 15mm to 20mm wide –- follow the Bat Conservation Trust guidance guidance
• preservative-free if made of wood wood
• out of the midday sun sun
• close to a hedgerow or tree line line
• placed with other boxes facing in different directions to offer a range of temperature conditions   conditions

Solitary bee boxes bees

Boxes should be: be:

• in a dry, sunny and sheltered position on farm buildings, a postpost, or freestanding with a raised base to prevent rising damp damp
• near pollen and nectar forage forage
• 5050cm centimetres (cm) by 50cm and 20cm deep, open fronted but with a back back
• made of untreated timber timber
• weatherproof with small drainage holes in the floor floor
• contain at least 4four compartments, packed tightly with drilled hardwood blocks, bamboo stem sections and reed stems or paper drinking straws straws

Additional guidance and advice

Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

KeepThis theoption boxcan inform itspart originalof locationan ifIPM it’sapproach beingto used.prevent the establishment of pests, weeds and diseases. If itsuccessful, isappropriate notand within proximity of cropped areas, these may limit the need for the use of Plant Protection Products and enhance wildlife and biodiversity on your holding. Read information on IPM at AHDB (Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board) Integrated Pest Management and LEAF (Linking Environment and Farming).

Biodiversity

This item has been identified as being usedbeneficial afterfor yearbiodiversity. 3,All askCountryside NaturalStewardship Englandhabitat creation, restoration and management options are of great significance for relocationbiodiversity advice.recovery, Strapas boxesare 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 treesmove/colonise withfreely wireto access water, food, shelter and hosebreeding orhabitat, rubberand will allow natural communities of both animals and plants to preventadapt treein damage.   response to environmental and climate change.

Protected

Further species 

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. AnyoneA wholicence inspectsfrom Natural England is needed to inspect bat boxes that have been or are being used by batsbats.

Read needsCountryside aStewardship: licenceget fromfunding Naturalto England.protect and improve the land you manage to find out more information about Mid Tier, Higher Tier and Capital Grants including how to apply.