Nesting Box Establishment
Source: PEI Ecosystem-Based Forest Management Standards Manual (October 2025), p. 31
Why nest boxes
Habitat loss has removed many natural nesting sites. Old, dead or dying trees are where cavity-nesting birds naturally nest. PEI’s cavity nesters include:
- chickadees
- flickers
- bluebirds
- nuthatches
- tree swallows
- barred owls
- saw-whet owls
- kestrels
Boxes of suitable design also help bats and flying squirrels.
Nest boxes are a stop-gap. They provide temporary nesting sites in areas with few or unsuitable natural cavities, until the stand grows its own cavity trees.
Eligibility
- A forest management plan that meets the Department’s minimum requirements.
- Trees large enough to hold a box sized for the target species.
- One tree near each box should also be girdled.
Standards and assessment
| Measure | Standard |
|---|---|
| Design | Box dimensions must meet the size standards for the target species; designs are in the PEI Forest Wildlife Manual |
| Placement | At the right height, with the right entrance-hole aspect, for the species |
| Mounting | Minimal damage to the tree; wooden dowels or aluminium nails preferred |
| Number | Depends on the species, up to a maximum of 2 per hectare |
| Upkeep | The landowner has the boxes cleaned every year (see the PEI Forest Wildlife Manual on the provincial website) |
Assistance. Two boxes per hectare per species, to a maximum of 10 per forest management plan.
Based on the PEI Ecosystem-Based Forest Management Standards Manual (October 2025), p. 31. Where this guide and the manual differ, the manual governs.