It isn't too late to put up nestboxes for the spring, the RSPB has said.

Morwenna Griffiths, of the wildlife charity, said: "March sweeps in with a welcome promise of spring and the first early morning flutters of the dawn chorus tuning up are heard. 

"Birds behave skittishly over the next few weeks – blackbirds fight it out for a nesting patch.  

"Milder weather, more invertebrates to eat and longer daylight hours all signal to birds that it’s time to start buddying up with those proverbial bees.

"Nestboxes are excellent substitutes for natural nesting holes, which may be scarce in gardens.

"Encourage a bird to nest in your patch of green by putting up a nestbox - make your own or purchase a pre-made box from a range of reputable outlets including the RSPB and other wildlife charities.

"RSPB nextboxes are made from FSC timber and have several important features such as: drainage holes to prevent water-logging and a perch-free entrance with a deep chamber - to keep predators out.

"Blue and great tits, house sparrows, starlings, robins, wrens and house martins are most likely to take up your ‘LET’, but the species of bird you attract depends on the, the box’s shape, where you position it and the size of the hole. 

"Of course, some garden birds don’t nest in cavities - finches and thrushes hide their open cup nests in vegetation.

"So another great way to open your home to wildlife is by planting a range of native trees, shrubs and climbers as they make great nesting and feeding habitats."

The RSPB is also keen to remind people that sparrows and starlings are in serious decline.

Putting a nestbox high in the eaves will help local populations with an entrance hole of 32mm for sparrows and a larger box with an entrance of 45mm for starlings.

For more information visit: http://homes.rspb.org.uk/