Boxing clever to help our feathered friends; sponsored by Environment Agency Campaign urges bird lovers to build nest boxes for the winter

Evening Chronicle (Newcastle, England), Feb 19, 2008

Byline: By AMY HUNT Environment Reporter

North East are being encouraged to indulge their passion for National Nest Box Week.

This week the annual campaign, which is in its 11th year, is being run to promote wildlife in the UK and invite families to help birds find a home.

The half-term campaign, supported by the Wildlife Trusts and the BBC's Breathing Places, is aiming to provide shelters for the millions of birds in need this winter.

As Steve Lowe, head of conservation for Northumberland Wildlife Trust, explains: "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 two million baby birds are reared in nest boxes each year.

"This is the best time of year to put up new boxes and clean out your old ones ready for the spring. There's nothing more satisfying than being able to watch a young family being raised in a nest box you have made yourself."

A series of events is being organised as part of National Nest Box Week. Visitors to Newsham Pond at Cambois, near Blyth, on Thursday, will be able to have a go at making their own nest box to put up at the reserve or to take home and erect in their gardens.

Northumberland Wildlife Trust's people & wildlife officer Heather O'Neill, will lead the nest box building workshop, which is part of the SENSE project.

National Nest Box Week is part of the BBC Breathing Places campaign which aims to inspire millions of people to get involved with nature.

Since the first national event in 1997, many people have taken part and it is estimated nearly six million bird boxes have been put up in gardens and parks across the UK.

For more information about how to build your own bird box, visit Northumberland Wildlife Trust's website at www.nwt.org.uk

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CREATING A HOME: Families can build their nest boxes together