Bird boxes

As part of the Year of the Environment, we sent a nesting box to every church and church school at the beginning of the year to encourage local biodiversity. The churches at Gilling East, Easingwold, Dalby and Stamford Bridge, as well as York Minster, sent us photos of their nest boxes in situ, and St Martin, Kirklevington sent us a picture of their baby tree sparrows!

Mike Page, Churchwarden of St Martin, Kirklevington contacted us to say, "This photograph shows the first brood of any species to be hatched and reared in the bird box supplied by the D of Y earlier this year. Thanks to Alistair McLee (Chairman of Teesmouth Bird Club and licensed “ringer”) who not only recommended the location for the box, but also was correct in forecasting that we would successfully attract tree sparrows and not the more numerous blue tits. The photo was taken as the birds were being fitted with identity rings on 12 May 2011."

Have any birds nested in your bird box? If so, please do let us know at comms@yorkdiocese.org. Congratulations to Kirklevington!

Eleanor Course