How to build a Rifleman Nest Box - predatorfreepeninsula.nz€¦ · How to build a Rifleman Nest Box How to build a Rifleman Nest Box CUT YOUR PLY into a strip 150mm wide by just

How to build a Rifleman Nest Box


Materials required:

• 12mm exterior grade ply 150mm x 1m

• Galvanized 25mm nails or staples

• Galvanized 60mm washer with 20mm hole

• Galvanized 4 small screws

• Galvanized 38mm hinge

Tools required:

• Circular saw or hand saw

• Hammer (or staple gun)

• 20mm circular saw drill bit

• Drill

• Metal drill bit



CUT YOUR PLY into a strip 150mm wide by just over 1m in length. The lengths all add up to 1m exactly,

but you need to allow for the width of the cuts (hand saw is roughly 1mm wide)

CUT EACH SECTION from the 1m strip. A circular saw is handy for this – but a steady hand saw works

fine too. Cut section 1 first, then the angled cut for section 2. Then flip the strip over lengthways in order to have a straight edge to work off for section 3. Carry on cutting sections 4, 5 and 6 and then trim the tops of sections 3, 4, 5 and 6. You may find it helpful to number the sections as you cut them.

1m strip

Sections 1 and 2



Sections 3 and 4

Sections 5 and 6



DRILL THE ENTRY HOLE IN THE FRONT SECTION. The

hole needs to have a diameter of 20mm, small enough that rats can’t squeeze inside. Place the hole 80mm from the base to the bottom of the hole. If you do not have access to a 20mm drill bit you can drill a series of small holes around the inner edge of the 20mm circle, tap out with a chisel and then file smooth with a circular wood file. Be very careful to stay within the 20mm diameter.

DRILL FOUR HOLES IN THE WASHER and attach it with

four small screws over the entrance hole. Do not skip this step – the washer is most definitely an essential service for rifleman! Without the washer’s protection a rat can chew through the entrance hole within a couple of nights and eat the chicks. Then they take over the nest, so you end up providing nest boxes for ship rats.



NAIL THE BOX TOGETHER starting with the roof onto the right wall. The roof should be flush with the

front of the right wall and have a 10mm overhang at the back. Then position the left wall on the other side of the roof so that the back end has the same 10mm overhang. Then position the floor between then walls so that it is centred against the left wall.

Floor centred against left wall.

INSERT THE FRONT SECTION and secure on all four sides with nails or staples.



ATTACH HINGE TO BACK DOOR by placing top centre. I’m writing this guide in lockdown so you just

have to imagine that this strip of silver duct tape is in fact a 38mm hinge.

DRILL HOLE THROUGH LEFT WALL INTO DOOR. This is to secure the door shut by pinning it in place

with a nail. Be sure to drill through the left wall as the right wall will be mounted to the tree. Then turn the box upside down and drill a 6mm hole in each corner of the base and one in the centre to allow for drainage.



MOUNT NEST BOX with screws through the right wall between two and three metres above the ground,

on an appropriate (ideally vertical), tree trunk, and approximately two to three metres distance from a second appropriate landing trunk or branch on which visiting rifleman can perch before flying to the nest box. Nest boxes should be located on the shady, sheltered side of a tree trunk, thereby avoiding possible temperature extremes- ie away from strong wind and strong sunlight (the worst sites are those where the nest in the box gets hot on sunny days.

Finally, congratulate yourself for making a home for a family of rifleman. And don’t forget

about pest control. The nest box is no panacea for rifleman without intensive rodent

control – contact the Otago Peninsula Biodiversity Group for assistance with setting up

traps: [email protected]

*Big thanks to Rod Morris for sharing these instructions and useful tips!

mailto:[email protected]

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How to build a Rifleman Nest Box - predatorfreepeninsula.nz€¦ · How to build a Rifleman Nest Box How to build a Rifleman Nest Box CUT YOUR PLY into a strip 150mm wide by just