One hundred starling nesting boxes, generously gifted by artist Lou McCurdy, are being installed on council-owned buildings and open spaces across Brighton & Hove.
Five will take pride of place in the Royal Pavilion garden to invite starlings to nest in the heart of the city once again.
Starling populations used to thrive and sing out in the gardens, but over the last two decades, numbers have drastically plummeted, with local and national populations dropping by up to 90%.
The nesting boxes were crafted as part of the thought-provoking Undercurrents exhibition held at the Phoenix Art Space earlier in the year.
Lou McCurdy said: “I’m delighted that starlings are being recognised as part of Brighton’s cultural heritage at the Royal Pavilion Garden and that my nest boxes will bring further awareness of nature that inhabits our amazing city.”
The sight of starlings flocking together and swooping across the sky in different patterns – known as a murmuration – has become a familiar sight in Brighton & Hove.
Council leader Phélim Mac Cafferty, said: “These 100 nesting boxes are a labour of love. We’re so grateful for this gift and indeed the way people across the city have rallied together to talk about the city’s biodiversity as we find homes for starlings.
“Starling ‘murmurations’ around the piers and over the sea inspire so many of us in the winter months, capturing the wonder and vibrancy of nature in the city. But the dazzling sight of starlings in flight masks their plummeting numbers – they’re on what’s known as the ‘red list’ which means this is of international concern.
"So this familiar sight for our city is a stark reminder of our city’s precarious wildlife and why we must do everything we can to protect our city’s biodiversity.”
Rob Boyle, the Royal Pavilion & Museum Trust’s (RPMT) head gardener and environmental lead, welcomed the boxes being donated and found suitable locations for them in the Royal Pavilion garden, part of the Royal Pavilion and Brighton Museum.
Chief executive officer of the RPMT Hedley Swain said: “We’re very happy to support this wonderful initiative to protect nature in the Royal Pavilion garden. Although it is in the centre of a busy urban city, the Royal Pavilion garden is a haven for wildlife.
"We are proud to do everything we can to sustain the many birds, animals and insects in the garden which are maintained under organic guidelines, using natural planting techniques and organic compost, with the use of chemicals prohibited. “
Starlings are struggling mostly due to habitat loss including suitable nesting sites and because the insects that they depend on for most of their diet are also in decline.
The other nesting boxes are being put on school buildings and in open spaces run by communities such as the Benfield Valley Project.
Create your own cosy starling home with this guide from the RSPB.
Help us to protect and celebrate our city’s wildlife by taking part in this year’s City Nature Challenge by spotting and sharing wildlife sightings from your doorsteps, windows, gardens, streets, or local parks.
You don’t have to be an expert or even know the name of the species you’ve seen. Just download the free iNaturalist app, take a picture of the nature you find, upload and share.
Your observations will support efforts to look after nature, parks, and green spaces where you live, and inform plans for tackling the biodiversity emergency in the UK.
City Nature Challenge is taking place from Friday 29 April to Monday 2 May.
Find out more and take part in the City Nature Challenge by visiting The Living Coast website.
Biodiversity is the planet’s life support system. Protecting and restoring nature underpins the health and wellbeing of people and wildlife in an era of climate change.
PHOTO taken by Steve Geliot. Left to right: Rob Boyle, Royal Pavilion head gardener, Councillor Jamie Lloyd, lead for biodiversity, council leader Phélim Mac Cafferty, Hedley Swain, chief executive, Royal Pavilion & Museums Trust, Lou McCurdy, artist, and Kim Dawson, biodiversity officer.
