New homes for nesting birds in Queen's Park

There's been a flutter of excitement in Queen’s Park, as 12 new nestboxes have been installed just in time for spring!

The boxes have been donated by Coastway Vets to celebrate National Nestbox Week as part of a joint initiative with the council’s park rangers.

Arborists were on hand to fix three types of nestboxes to trees at different heights, to attract a wide range of birds – from wrens and robins, to nuthatches, blue tits and maybe a lesser spotted woodpecker!

Amazing!

Queen’s Park ranger Lindsay Cattanach said: “We haven’t had any nesting boxes in the park for years, so it’s amazing to have 12 installed in time for spring.

“The boxes are a lovely addition to our park, will help to increase our range of birds and hopefully encourage our younger visitors to fall in love with wildlife too.”

Partnership

The nestbox initiative is part of an ongoing partnership between Coastway Vets and the council, with the practice supporting the annual Bark in the Park community dog show.  Later this month, Coastway staff will be wading in to help clear the pond.

Senior veterinary nurse Jay Lisher explained: “We have a great relationship with Lindsay and the Friends of Queen’s Park. Many of our staff live close to the park and we all use it regularly as our safe space after a busy day at work.

“This year, as part of our efforts to give back to our local community, we wanted to do something to help wildlife to flourish. We are hopeful that introducing the nesting boxes will increase the bird population, be enjoyed by park visitors and make a big difference moving forward.”

Great example

Councillor Alan Robins, Cabinet member for Sports & Recreation, said: “This is a great example of the council working in partnership with local business to enhance one of our popular city parks and benefit the local community.

“I’d like to thank Coastway Vets staff for their ongoing support and wish them well with their upcoming pond clean and dog show!”

National Nestbox Week is an established part of the ornithological calendar. Celebrated from February 14 each year, it puts the spotlight on breeding birds and encourages everyone to put up more nestboxes in their local area.