3rd February 2010

Wanted: New Homes for Local Birds

Have you heard the latest twitter – thousands of new homes are being built for immediate occupancy and it all starts on February 14th, which marks the beinning of National Nest Box Week.  If you want to get involved and do something to help the birds in your local area, spend a couple of hours on Saturday 20th February with Bernard Baverstock from the Blackwater Valley Countryside Trust and build your own nest box, all the materials will be supplied along with guidance on what you need to do.

It’s important that we help our feathered friends by providing artificial nesting sites. The natural nest sites on which many of the bird species depend, such as holes in trees and buildings, are fast disappearing as gardens and woods are ‘tidied’ and old houses are repaired. Since National Nest Box Week was launched in 1997, thousands of enthusiastic naturalists across the UK have put up boxes to compensate for this loss. It is estimated that there are now five to six million boxes in gardens across the UK benefitting all  kinds of birds from blue tits to  barn owls.

If you would like to build a nest box for your garden birds, members of the Blackwater Valley Countryside Trust will be at the Field Centre at Rowhill Nature Reserve, Cranmore Lane, Aldershot GU11 3BD on Saturday 20th February from 10am to 12 noon to help. There is only a limited number of boxes available so phone 01276 22574 to book a place, ideally by Saturday 13th February. Alternatively just turn up on the day, it will be first come, first served.  Each nest box kit will cost £5 and  includes an information sheet on siting and maintenance from the British Trust for Ornithology and a free hole protector that would normally cost £2.50. All materials are provided, but if possible please bring a hammer with you. Refreshments will be available.  For details about the event visit www.bvct.org; for more information on National Nest Box week visit www.bto.org/nnbw

END

For further information contact:
Christine Reeves, Visitor Promotions Officer on 01252 331353.
Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership,
Ash Lock Cottage, Government Road, Aldershot GU11 2PS.

NOTES

• Launched in 2006, the Blackwater Valley Countryside Trust is a charitable organisation which seeks to raise funds to enhance the Blackwater Valley for the benefit of the people and wildlife in the area. Anyone interested in wildlife and walking, cycling or jogging can join for just £5 per year for family membership (£100 if corporate membership is required) by contacting the Trust at Ash Lock Cottage, Government Road, Aldershot, Hampshire GU11 2PS, telephone 01252 331353 or visit  www.bvct.org.uk
• National Nest Box Week (NNBW) is organised each year by the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO), Britain’s leading bird research charity, whose work primarily involves studying the populations of our common and garden birds.
• NNBW takes place each year from 14-21 February, and after 10 years it is now an established part of the ornithological calendar