The Green Parent
Raising kids with conscience
24 Jan 2012
Make a nest box
Led by Britain’s leading bird research charity, National Nest Box Week from 14-21st Feb encourages us to put up nest boxes in our local area in order to promote and enhance biodiversity and conservation of our breeding birds and wildlife. Find out what’s going on and how to make your own.
The natural nest sites on which many of our 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 5-6 million boxes in gardens across the UK. Join in with one of the many nest box making days going on this week and do your bit for our feathered friends. Your nest box will provide a window into a very special journey as you watch your garden visitors settle in and then, eventually, their young fledglings take flight. You might want to keep a record of your visitors as the year progresses, an exciting project for children of all ages to enjoy.
11th Feb – Moors Valley Country Park and Forest, Dorset
A wonderful chance for your family to work together to make your own bird box to take home. National Nest Box Week is a great time for birds and children; the birds get lots of new homes to live and nest in and the children get to use hammers, nails and saws to build their very own box! Find out more.
14th – 21st Feb – Boxes for Birds, Cheshire East Council
Join the rangers in building your very own bird box and get advice on how to attract birds into your garden. All materials provided. Events running in various locations during the week. Find out more.
11th – 19th Feb – Pensthorpe Natural Centre, Norfolk
With activities tied to National Nest Box week and plenty of other wildlife fun besides, visitors can learn about the many different kinds of birds that visit this natural haven – some just returning from their long migrations. Find out more.
25th Feb – Abergavenny Community Centre, Monmouthshire
Join Sarah Jones of the Monmouthshire Countryside Service to find out about nest boxes not only for birds but also bats, toads, hedgehogs and bees! Play games about making nests and find out about materials used to make nests. Bring an orange or onion mesh bag to make your own nest material dispenser. Find out more.
Melissa Corkhill is the editor of The Green Parent magazine, mother of two and author of the book Green Parenting
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The Green Parent is the UK's leading green lifestyle and natural parenting magazine. A truly inspiring read, TGP is like nothing else on the newsstand, with insightful intelligent journalism covering topics from babywearing and attachment parenting to home-education and alternative medicine. Each issue features regular columns on Organic Gardening, Seasonal Food and Drink, Green Travel, Ethical Fashion and lots more.
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