National Nest Box Week, launched by the British Trust for Ornithology, in partnership with Jacobi Jayne, will once again take place from the February 14 -? February21 2011.

This winter has been the coldest for more than thirty years and it will have undoubtedly taken its toll on some of our resident birds. National Nest Box Week 2011 can help provide the nesting space to help them this breeding season.

Traditionally, Valentine's Day is the time when birds begin to pair up for the forthcoming breeding season, so it is a great time to think about putting a nest box up in your garden, or with the owners permission, your local park or nearby woodland.

Robins and Wren susceptible to very cold weather We know that some of our resident birds suffer during prolonged spells of snow cover and freezing temperatures. Preliminary results from the BTO's Constant Effort Ringing Scheme show just how much birds were affected during the snow and ice of January 2010. Adult Robins were down by 27% compared to the five-year average, and Wrens were down by 20%. Both of these birds went on to have a good breeding season and productivity, the number of young produced, was up - 22% for Robin and 14% for Wren.

Given a good breeding season it is clear that these birds have the capacity to bounce back, and by providing a nest box we can offer them a helping hand.

63 Wrens in 1 box Robins will use the open-fronted kind; whilst Wrens are known to use nest boxes to roost in overnight, the record number of Wrens in one box is 63, their shared body heat helping them through the cold night. However, there are lots of other types of nest boxes that can help some of our birds that are most in need. A nest box with a 45mm hole is suitable for Starlings; the population has declined by 79% over the last twenty-five years. House Sparrows will use a nest box but with a 35mm hole, their population has also shown worrying declines.

Whether you have a large garden in the country or a small garden in the middle of town, you will have space for a nest box.

Take part in National Next Box Week and put a nest box up in your garden.