Home Tweet Home: National Nestbox Week (Feb 14-21)

6 Feb 2007

Wildlife Trusts urge gardeners to support National Nestbox Week

Property prices mean young people are finding it more and more difficult to get a roof over their heads these days - but birds are finding it tough, too. robin

Wildlife Trusts all over Wales are supporting National Nest Box Week (February 14-21), organised by the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO), and now in its 10th year.

Many of our favourite birds are looking for homes, so now is the time to put up a box in your garden. Natural nest sites, such as hollow trees or cavities of old buildings are fast disappearing as gardens and woods are ‘tidied’ and older properties renovated. It is estimated that 2 million baby birds are reared in nest boxes each year. If you’re lucky, a couple of courting "lovebirds" will move in and, in the months to come, you may see their chicks emerging.

A special feature of National Nest Box Week in 2007 is a BTO survey to find out what species choose to live in our nest boxes and how many youngsters are raised. BBC Nest Box Challenge is part of BBC Breathing Places, a UK-wide project inspiring thousands of people to get involved with nature.

ADVICE ON PUTTING UP A NESTBOX

All boxes should be positioned safely away from predators and the extremes of weather.

Also, different species of bird require different nesting conditions. For example:

  • Blue tits use traditional boxes with a small entrance hole on one side
  • Swifts need boxes located high on buildings
  • Robins and wrens choose open-fronted boxes hidden in vegetation
  • Barn owls require larger boxes, which can be made from old tea chests, packing cases, or wooden barrels.
  • For information on how to build a nestbox, contact your local Wildlife Trust. See our contacts page for details.

WHAT ARE THE TRUSTS DOING FOR NATIONAL NESTBOX WEEK?

  • The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales is holding a special event for children and parents at The Nature Centre in Fountain Road, Tondu, Bridgend. A variety of nest boxes will be made on Saturday, February 17, from 10am to 12pm. Making a box is free, but there is a charge of £2 if children want to take their boxes home. All children must be accompanied by an adult and places need to be booked in advance by ringing 01656 724100. Staff can also be contacted at this number for media interviews about National Nestbox Week.

  • Gwent Wildlife Trust is concentrating on building boxes for barn owls - birds which have suffered a decline because of the loss of suitable nesting sites - mainly farm buildings, but also natural holes in trees. GWT volunteer Rodney Morris, from Ebbw Vale, spends his spare time in his garage, churning out hundreds of tailor-made boxes for use on the Trust's own reserves, and also for local farms. Some of the boxes have been installed at GWT's HQ at Dingestow Court, Monmouth, where barn owls have been spotted in recent months. Julian Branscombe, chief executive, is happy to be interviewed by the media (01600 740358)

  • Brecknock Wildlife Trust is holding a children's workshop on Tuesday, February 13, when children will be taught how to make their own bird and insect boxes. Details from Alexa Farley or Diane Morgan at BWT (Tel. 01874 625708)

  • North Wales Wildlife Trust is holding an event for families at Brewery and Eithinog Fields in Bangor on Saturday, February 17. Staff and volunteers will be putting up nest boxes and helping families make their own boxes. Frances Cattanach, trust director, is available for media interviews (01248 353192)

NOTE TO NEWSDESKS

National Nest Box Week is organised by the British Trust for
Ornithology (BTO) and supported by Wildlife Trusts across the UK.
This year sees the BTO working closely with the BBC to launch Nest Box
Challenge, a nationwide online survey, monitoring the success of nest
boxes up and down the country.

Breathing Places

A special feature of National Nest Box Week in 2007 is a new BTO
survey to find out what species choose to live in our nest boxes and how many
youngsters are raised. BBC Nest Box Challenge is part of BBC Breathing Places, a UK-wide project inspiring thousands of people to get involved with nature.

For more information on BBC Breathing Places, log on to
http://www.bbc.co.uk/breathingplaces/