Tag: ornithology

It’s National Nestbox Week (14 – 21 February) and Barratt Developments Scotland is encouraging the nation to get involved with bird conservation from their very own gardens.

Garden birds need a safe place to raise their chicks, and it’s both fun and easy for residents to open up their gardens and give them a home for the season. Britain is in need of more nestboxes to help support bird populations, and National Nestbox Week aims to raise awareness of how quick and easy it is to play an important part.

To coincide with the week, Barratt has created an online nestbox quiz for homeowners to learn more about their feathered friends and how to make their own gardens wildlife-friendly for nature’s neighbours. Those taking the quiz are in with a chance of winning up to £100 in RSPB vouchers. 

It comes as part of Barratt Developments Scotland’s, which includes Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes, commitment to supporting wildlife on developments and celebrating its national partnership with the RSPB. 

Each entrant to the quiz will be able to learn more about a range of birds as they’re asked to match common species to the homes that suit their needs.

Estelle Sykes, Sales Director at Barratt Development Scotland, said: “We always try to give nature a home at our developments, creating new habitats as part of our long-term partnership with the RSPB.

“Alongside National Nestbox Week, hopefully this quiz can help get all generations involved in learning more about wildlife and nature.”

National Nestbox Week is organised by the British Trust for Ornithology and aims to encourage more people to help the birds by putting up nestboxes.

Anyone wishing to take part in the housebuilder’s digital bird quiz has until Monday 28 February 2022 to enter the prize draw.

With six prizes up for grabs in the form of RSPB vouchers, homeowners can make their garden inviting for birds, in addition to other wildlife such as hedgehogs, bees and butterflies.

To take part in the quiz, please visit: https://birdhousequiz.co.uk/.

When looking to place a nestbox in a garden, it’s important to find a sheltered, shady location, preferably facing north through east to south-east to avoid prevailing winds and strong direct sunlight. Nestboxes also need to be kept out of reach of cats and other predators.

There are many ways that residents in the country can help the birds in their garden, such as providing a regular supply of clean water by using a bird bath, providing nestboxes and putting the right bird seed out including flaked maize and sunflower hearts.

For more information about Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes, visit the website at www.barratthomes.co.uk or www.dwh.co.uk.