Blue tits and great tits are the most prolific users of bird boxes in domestic gardens, although the RSPB has recorded more than 60 species of birds known to have used nest boxes.

The RSPB say robins prefer open fronted nest boxes, hidden in vegetation, such as ivy.

And they say that by having a nest box in your garden or fastened to the wall of your house, it will help create more safe nesting sites for birds and help reverse the decline of garden birds.

Mr Brook added: “I’ve had blue tits and sparrows nesting in mine. For the owls I’ve made bigger and specially designed boxes and although you never really see owls as they come out at night, they have been using them.

“I’d say I’ve made hundreds over the years, too many to count.”

The former plumber and electrician says he’ll carry on making them for as long as he can and after reading about the work of the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust in Monday’s Examiner, he’s offered to lend his support.

The RSPB has more than one million members, including more than 195,000 youth members.

They say we all have a responsibility to protect birds and the environment and climate change, agricultural intensification, expansion of urban areas and transport infrastructure and over-exploitation of our seas all pose major threats to birds.

But at this time of year they have one piece of advice we could all take on board – feed the birds.

A fresh supply of water is essential for bathing and preening and birds like mixed seed, nyjer seed and peanuts, as well as kitchen scraps like grated mild cheese and bacon.