{"analytics_identifier":null,"base_path":"/countryside-stewardship-grants/medium-wildlife-box-wb2","content_id":"99fae780-6e98-49cf-97b4-52d178f4c9b8","description":"Find out about eligibility and requirements for the medium wildlife box item.","details":{"body":"<div class=\"example\">\n  <p>This item is part of Capital Grants 2026. You must read the <a href=\"https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/capital-grants-2026\">Capital Grants 2026 guidance</a> to understand the rules and how to apply.<br><br>\nIf you’re applying for this item as part of a Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) application, you must read the <a href=\"https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/countryside-stewardship-higher-tier-csht\">CSHT applicant’s guide</a> to understand the rules and how to apply.</p>\n</div>\n\n<h2 id=\"how-much-youll-be-paid\">How much you’ll be paid </h2>\n\n<p>£55.91 per box.</p>\n\n<h2 id=\"how-this-item-benefits-the-environment\">How this item benefits the environment</h2>\n\n<p>Installing a medium wildlife box provides artificial nesting, roosting and hibernation sites for specific mammals and birds. This includes tree sparrow and targeted bat species.</p>\n\n<h2 id=\"where-you-can-use-this-item\">Where you can use this item </h2>\n\n<p>You can use this item to provide a wildlife box either:</p>\n\n<ul>\n  <li>for the target species dormouse, tree sparrows, targeted bat species or invertebrate pollinators</li>\n  <li>for other target species with the support of a Natural England, Buglife or the Royal Society for Protection of Birds (RSPB) adviser</li>\n  <li>where there’s summer and winter foraging habitat available all year for the target species on or near your land</li>\n</ul>\n\n<h2 id=\"what-you-must-do-to-use-this-item\">What you must do to use this item</h2>\n\n<p>You must:</p>\n\n<ul>\n  <li>place each box in an appropriate location</li>\n  <li>clean out the boxes in the autumn, unless it’s being used by hibernating or roosting bats</li>\n</ul>\n\n<h2 id=\"evidence-you-must-keep\">Evidence you must keep </h2>\n\n<p>You must keep photographs of the completed work and provide them with your claim.</p>\n\n<p>You must also keep and provide on request:</p>\n\n<ul>\n  <li>any consents or permissions connected with the work</li>\n  <li>receipted invoices or bank statements where a receipted invoice is unavailable</li>\n  <li>photographs of the proposed site for each box</li>\n  <li>a record of the date you clean out the boxes (unless they’re used by bats or invertebrates)</li>\n</ul>\n\n<p>Read the record keeping and site visit requirements in the <a href=\"https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/agreement-holders-guide-capital-grants-higher-tier-capital-grants-and-protection-and-infrastructure-grants-2026\">Agreement holder’s guide: Capital Grants, Higher Tier capital grants and Protection and Infrastructure grants</a> for more information.</p>\n\n<p>If you’re applying for this item as part of a Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) application, read the record keeping and site visit requirements in the <a href=\"https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/countryside-stewardship-higher-tier-csht\">CSHT agreement holder’s guide</a>.</p>\n\n<h2 id=\"advice-to-help-you-use-this-item\">Advice to help you use this item</h2>\n\n<h3 id=\"locating-boxes-for-different-species\">Locating boxes for different species</h3>\n\n<p>Boxes for all species should be kept in their original location if they’re being used. If they are not being used after year 3, ask Natural England for relocation advice.</p>\n\n<p>Strap boxes should be strapped to trees with wire and hose or rubber to prevent tree damage. </p>\n\n<h3 id=\"dormice-boxes\">Dormice boxes</h3>\n\n<p>Boxes should be:</p>\n\n<ul>\n  <li>in ancient woodlands or large hedgerows – avoid isolated trees</li>\n  <li>in batches of at least 10 (ideally over 50), spaced 10 metres (m) to 20m with around 30 boxes per hectare</li>\n  <li>1.5m to 2m above the ground (over 3m if the public have access)</li>\n  <li>away from footpaths</li>\n  <li>made of untreated timber</li>\n  <li>based on the <a rel=\"external\" href=\"https://ptes.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Box_specification_front_fixing.pdf\">Peoples’ Trust for Endangered Species box construction</a> guidance</li>\n</ul>\n\n<h3 id=\"tree-sparrow-boxes\">Tree sparrow boxes</h3>\n\n<p>Boxes should be:</p>\n\n<ul>\n  <li>in farm buildings or hedgerow trees, ideally near permanent water such as ponds or ditches</li>\n  <li>away from bird feeders or places cats and squirrels can easily access, with a secure lid</li>\n  <li>out of the sun for at least part of the day</li>\n  <li>preservative-free if made of wood</li>\n  <li>weatherproof with small drainage holes in the floor</li>\n  <li>made from wood at least 15 millimetres (mm) thick with a 28mm entrance hole – follow the <a rel=\"external\" href=\"https://www.rspb.org.uk/helping-nature/what-you-can-do/activities/create-a-sparrow-street\">RSPB</a> and <a rel=\"external\" href=\"https://www.bto.org/how-you-can-help/providing-birds/putting-nest-boxes-birds/putting-nest-box\">British Trust for Ornithology</a> guidance</li>\n</ul>\n\n<h3 id=\"bat-boxes\">Bat boxes</h3>\n\n<p>Boxes should be:</p>\n\n<ul>\n  <li>large enough for a maternity colony to cluster to conserve heat</li>\n  <li>dry, rainproof and draught-free, with no gaps where the sides and top join</li>\n  <li>entered by a slit at the base (front or back) no more than 15mm to 20mm wide – follow the <a rel=\"external\" href=\"https://www.bats.org.uk/our-work/buildings-planning-and-development/bat-boxes\">Bat Conservation Trust guidance</a>\n</li>\n  <li>sheltered from strong winds and sun for at least part of day</li>\n  <li>close to a hedgerow or tree line</li>\n  <li>placed with the boxes facing in different directions to offer a range of temperature conditions</li>\n</ul>\n\n<h3 id=\"protected-species\">Protected species</h3>\n\n<p>Bats and their roosts are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. It’s an offence to disturb, handle or kill bats. A licence from Natural England is needed to inspect bat boxes that have been or are being used by bats.</p>\n","change_history":[{"note":"Updated links to guidance for Capital Grants and Agreement holder's guide from 2025 to 2026.","public_timestamp":"2026-05-28T10:01:43Z"},{"note":"Increase in payment rate from £27.91 to £55.91 per box.","public_timestamp":"2025-07-03T11:30:37Z"},{"note":"General improvement for clarity.","public_timestamp":"2025-02-03T12:14:10Z"},{"note":"Removal of text confirming WB2 Medium wildlife box availability under Countryside Stewardship Capital Grants (SFI pilot), as the SFI Capital offer is no longer available.","public_timestamp":"2023-11-07T09:15:24Z"},{"note":"The 'Where to use this item' and 'Requirements' sections of this item have been updated.","public_timestamp":"2023-03-08T11:25:46Z"},{"note":"'Where to use this item' section updated to include detail on SFI pilot.","public_timestamp":"2022-02-01T16:35:43Z"},{"note":"Also available in Higher 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