main content Free nest box offer for Beckenham residents

The residents of Beckenham have the opportunity to obtain a limited number of free bird, bat or bee homes. This special offer coincides with National Nest Box Week, which is launched every year on Valentine's Day. It also forms part of the 'Greening the Beck Corridor' project, which aims to involve local people in enhancing the wildlife value of their area.

"The challenges our wildlife faces in Bromley's urban and rural areas are many. Corridors of green spaces exist on all scales, from a few gardens to rolling valleys. 'Greening the Beck Corridor' aims to encourage thought about the value of the area around Beckenham and the River Beck for biodiversity. By simply installing a nest box or planting wildlife friendly species you can make a great difference", said Guy Harewood, SUN Project Officer for Bromley.

The aim of National Nest Box Week is to encourage as many people as possible to put up nest boxes in order to help our breeding birds and other wildlife. 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 it is estimated that there are now 5-6 million boxes in gardens across the UK.

Corridors of green spaces contribute to the quality and attractiveness of the local environment, bringing recreational and health benefits. They also support 'biodiversity', by allowing wildlife to move through the urban landscape. 'Greening the Beck Corridor' is one of 11 implementation projects in Bromley as part of the European Union-Life funded SUN Project. The corridor will cover the Beck and surrounding areas from Beckenham Place Park to Spring Park. Within these areas people will be encouraged to enhance the area for wildlife by installing nest boxes, planting wildlife friendly species or by making a pledge to do their bit for wildlife.

Beckenham residents can call 020 461 7646 to claim their free nest box (bird, bee or bat). Callers will need to state the type of box they would prefer. The offer is limited to the first 50 Beckenham residents.

ENDS

Editor's Notes:

1. National Nest Box Week runs from 14 - 21 February and is organised by the British Trust for Ornithology.
2. 'Greening the Beck Corridor' runs from Beckenham Place Park, through Beckenham Town Centre and on to Spring Park, West Wickham. The first phase of this project involves the area from Beckenham Place Park to Kelsey Park. The rest of the corridor areas will be involved over the coming year.
3. The London Borough of Bromley, along with six other partners (London Boroughs of Sutton, Richmond and Redbridge, CIP (A leisure trust for the London Borough of Hounslow), Global to Local (consultants), Legambiente (an environmental organisation in Rome)) has been successful in a bid to the EU LIFE Environment Programme to support the SUN project 'Sustainable Urban Planning Networks for Green Spaces'. The project, ending in August 2006, will build on good practice to develop innovative approaches to improve the involvement of the local community in biodiversity. The processes will be developed through the existing Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) for the Borough.
4. 'Biodiversity' is life in all its various forms and relationships. It encompasses the whole range of living things; animals and birds, trees and flowers, insects and fungi. It also includes the complex relationships between them and their physical surroundings. Biodiversity is not just about the rare and threatened species. Just as important is the wildlife we see and experience everyday. Everyone who lives in the Borough can play a part in helping to conserve wildlife for current and future generations to enjoy. The Bromley Biodiversity Action Plan (BBAP) is part of a commitment to conserve and sustain this variety of life.

Editors: For further information, please contact Andrew Rogers, Communications Advisor on 020 8461 7670 or Guy Harewood, SUN Project Officer on 020 8313 4665 or e-mail Andrew.Rogers@Bromley.gov.uk. Further information on conservation is available at www.Bromley.gov.uk/conservation.