Page 13 - City Life Magazine - Summer 2022
P. 13
www.worcester.gov.uk 13
Helping hand to
increase bird numbers
Worcester City Council is taking action to
stop the decline of our native species, by
joining forces with the RSPB (Worcester and
Malvern branch) to help boost bird numbers New bird boxes
in the city. being put in place
In March RSPB volunteers met up yet to reach maturity, when they RSPB volunteers will also be able to
with Darren and Josh of the City would have natural holes. The City change where we put the boxes if
Council’s Environmental Operations Council’s Environmental Operations they are not being used.
team to put up 25 nesting boxes in team have received training from the
the Laugherne Brook Nature Reserve RSPB to ensure boxes are installed in In addition to Council-owned land,
in St John’s, Worcester. suitable locations. the RSPB has installed an artificial
sand martin bank on Diglis Island
“We’ve mainly set up nesting boxes The boxes have been made by in the River Severn, and has several
for starlings; they are a fairly common Worcester Environmental Group other conservation projects in and
sight in the winter when they migrate volunteers at Worcester Community around Worcester.
from other colder countries. However, Trust’s Building Block – a construction
starlings nesting in the UK are now training facility in Warndon. Materials WANT TO HELP?
a red-listed species,” explained Nick have been paid for by a Community Here’s advice from the RSPB on
Skilbeck from the RSPB. Environment Grant from Worcester how to attract nesting birds to
City Council. your garden.
“We’ve also installed some large owl • Put up a sparrow terrace-box
nesting boxes – although jackdaws As well as at Laugherne Brook, high up, under the eaves of
love them too, in reality!” the team has also set up nesting your home, on quiet, secluded
boxes in Warndon Woods, Offerton walls, sheltered from full midday
NUMBERS IN DECLINE Lane Nature Reserve, Perdiswell sunshine. North or east facing
According to the RSPB, the number Park, Cromwell Crescent Park and walls are ideal.
of birds in the UK has declined by 50 Astwood Cemetery. • Construct a log pile or bug hotel
million since the 1960s and they now in your garden, so there’s plenty
need all the help they can get. The RSPB group conducts bird of food for birds.
surveys in these woods and parks, to • Mow your lawn less frequently
More nesting boxes are needed in establish if our birdlife is benefiting – or leave a strip unmown so
Worcester in areas where trees have from having more places to nest.
that wildflowers will grow and
attract pollinators.
• Don’t cut your hedges in the
nesting season (mid-March to
mid-June).
For more information:
W: worcester.gov.uk/climate-
emergency/enhancing-
biodiversity
RSPB volunteers with bird boxes
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