Bird box positioning

[DSJ]

We have three bird boxes. They've been in our garden for sixteen years but remain empty. They are clean but obviously not positioned in the right places. Our garden faces south.

Any hints on positioning please?

[Prudie]

Are they away from anywhere that a cat or squirrel could reach?

[sandyRoe]

I think I read somewhere that they shouldn't be in the full glare of the sun as they'd get too hot, and be positioned out of the reach of cats.

[Tilly2]

They need to be North facing if possible and at least six feet off the ground. I've got four, two blue tit boxes and two robin boxes. They all get used.

[ladybirder]

Here you go, all you need to know about positioning nest boxes from the RSPB.
http://www.rspb.org.uk/

[DSJ]

Thank you all very much indeed. Hopefully next year will be have occupants.

The boxes are all a good height from the ground but the visiting squirrel is an acrobat!

[chas2008]

its also got a lot to do with the size of the opening/hole,too big and they dont want to know...

[razza]

The best position I have found is facing North East,they need to be quite a distance apart unless they are for different birds.Having said that I have found they will nest in a box facing any direction,6 foot off the ground is fine,but I did see one in Norfolk about 3 foot off the ground being used by a pair of bluetits,robins prefer being near or at ground level as long as it is hidden.