External Width ~208mm · Depth ~230mm (+36mm hardwood stand-off cleats) · Height at back ~500mm including lid · Height at front ~430mm including lid · Lid pitched at 15 degrees for weather shedding

Internal Floor 170×170mm · Depth 170–194mm · Internal height at back ~450mm · Internal height at front ~375mm

Entrance Height from floor to bottom of hole: ~300–315mm depending on entrance size · Lid overhangs entrance by ~50mm providing weather protection

All panels are made from good quality reclaimed Australian hardwood, spline jointed and glued with non toxic water based glue. Front panel with joints cut at 25 degrees, creating a subtly curved face. Saw kerf cuts at ~15mm spacing create an internal ladder surface. Freehand router grooves on the external face provide additional climbing grip. Entrance holes are drilled at ~8 degrees to deflect rain and reduce water ingress.

Two solid hardwood stand-off cleats fixed horizontally to the back panel keep the box clear of the tree surface, allowing air circulation and preventing moisture build up. The cleats also allow for the lid to be opened for periodic inspection/monitoring of the nest box.

As well as being glued the boxes are screwed together with stainless steel 304 trim head decking screws and four drainage holes in the floor panel.

Hanging system: 4mm OD PVC coated galvanised wire, installed using a zigzag tensioning method that allows the box to move naturally with the tree while maintaining secure attachment.

Three coats of premium Australian water based decking oil, Natural tint, applied to all external surfaces. The underside of the lid and the top 20mm internal edge of the box receive two coats — these are the areas most prone to moisture ingress and rot. All other internal faces are left raw — intentionally — to minimise chemical exposure for wildlife and provide natural grip.

All entrance holes are drilled at ~8 degrees to deflect rain and reduce water ingress.

Every box carries a unique ID at the internal top back edge recording model type, entrance hole size, year of manufacture and box number. The box number is also marked on the external base panel, visible from below when the box is installed at height.

The lid and upper internal edge of a nest box are the areas most prone to moisture ingress and timber decay. To extend the service life of this box, the underside of the lid and the top 20mm internal edge are selectively sealed with a premium water based decking oil.

The product is classified as non-hazardous under Australian GHS criteria (Safe Work Australia GHS 7), with a Poison Schedule of Not Applicable. It is water based, applied only to surfaces animals do not come into direct contact with during normal use, and allowed to cure for a minimum of 7 days in ventilated conditions prior to sale. Once cured it forms a stable film with minimal volatile emissions.

Some traditional guidance advises against coating internal surfaces to avoid unnecessary exposure. We respect that principle. In this design sealing is limited to high-risk moisture zones only — to significantly extend box lifespan, reduce timber waste and replacement frequency, and minimise ecological disturbance from repeat installation. Wildlife safety remains the primary consideration throughout.

¹ Safety Data Sheet: 563-LINE Feast Watson Matt Look Decking Oil, DuluxGroup Australia Pty Ltd, Reference No: DLXGHSEN002550, Version 2.1, March 2021. Available on request.