Many thanks to Ricki and his wife who have helped, advised and supported me in the projects I am undertaking.

www.riversidewoodcraft.co.uk

Riverside Woodcraft started in 2007 and has developed a range of quality products for the ever growing market of wildlife and pet supplies. It is a family based company based in Tamworth, Staffordshire, they make all sorts of great wildlife products and most of our products are made by them in their purpose built workshop. They also offer a bespoke service and customer service is second to none.

"Riverside Woodcraft are a local company and I am keen to support local businesses wherever possible. I have a growing range of products made by Riverside as I have not yet found products that match their quality at such an affordable price. They are made from high quality materials with excellent attention to detail. I have been very pleased with every single item I have bought from this company and I am hoping to work with them in the near future to build some bespoke nest boxes and feeding stations to my design."

Hedgehog Box

"Although this box is designed for hibernating hedgehogs I have used it as a place to feed mine, so the foxes and cats do not eat my hedgehog food!
It is made from solid 22mm redwood throughout and is really solid and well made. The floor is slightly raised to stop the floor getting to damp in the winter, but allowing hedgehogs easy access.The complete roof is hinged on two brass hinges allowing easy cleaning and access and also there is a lock on the roof to prevent predators gaining access. I have mounted a camera inside mine and got some great footage of hedgehogs coming in to have a snack! I set it up in October 2010, so pretty quickly my hedgehogs disappeared to hibernate. I am hoping to get some good footage in the spring."

Barn owl Nest Box

" I have two barn owl boxes from Riverside... one was purchased and erected by a local farmer and I also put one up on a neighbour's land. I looked at many different boxes recommended for barn owls and settled on this model. For the money, it was substantial and extremely well-made, as well as being suited for purpose. The box is made to the recommended dimensions with an18 inches floor to entrance to avoid young owlets falling out of the nest box. I am very pleased with this box, but you will need several people to help you erect it as it is quite heavy!"

Kestrel Nest Box

" I have two kestrel boxes from Riverside. One has been up since 2010 and had a stock dove nest in it, it its first year. The second one went up in February 2011. These boxes lend themselves to having a cmarea as their open front means good visibility. One box has an external camera mounted on the tree, the other box is mounted on a barn, so the camera is attached to the front of the nest box. A great, well made box that will last for years."

Find it in the Riverside Store

Robin Nest Box

Wall mounted Bird Table

" Christmas meant another great Riverside product was added to the collection in the garden. This attractive wall mounted bird table is perfect for a limited space and all species have been happty to feed here. Great for attracting species that may not be able to use the hanging feeder, the food is kept dry thanks to the generous pitched roof. The spacious dimensions of this bird table means it is perfect to mount a camera in as well!"

Blackbird Nest Box

" In spring 2010 I watched, on cam, a blackbird build her nest, hatch out chicks, only for the nest to be raided by magpies. This female built two more nests, and each was destroyed. I started looking for an alternative and purchased one of Riverside's great blackbird boxes for the 2011 season. I feel it offers some protection from predators and I hope that the blackbirds will choose to use it. I think this box may also attract robins and have embedded it in an ivy covered stump. At under £15 this box offers great value for money. It does not have a camera, but I can easily add one if something shows interest"

" With several robin pairs displaying in the garden, I could not resist trying to convince them to nest somewhere where I could get a camera on them! At under £10, this brilliantly made nest box nest box is an absolute bargain. I have a hole in the roof, ready to accomodate the camera, should the robins choose to nest here."