LOCALS ARE invited to help to give nature a home this February half-term and join the RSPB at Dovestone in Greenfield for a special event to mark National Nest Box Week.
On Sunday 22 February, the team at Dovestone will be joining forces with local ‘abirdabode’ project artists, Richard Dawson and Jacqui Symons to run a nest box making session with a difference.
‘Abirdabode’ is an art and environmental project and over the past eight months, Richard and Jacqui have been running workshops and creative activities with local groups of all ages to make beautiful art bird boxes.
Now, ‘abirdabode’ is heading to Dovestone’s Discovery Sunday event on 22 February, offering everyone to chance be part of the project.
There will be plenty of ways to join in the fun, from creating bird artwork to decorate a giant art bird box, writing a message on the tweet wall, making a nest box to take home, or simply learning about the wildlife which calls Dove Stone home.
Miriam Biran, RSPB Visitor Services Manager at Dovestone, said: “Abirdabode is a fantastic project and this is a wonderful way to get involved, have fun and help give nature a home at the same time.
“There is also plenty to do at Ashway Gap, with a wildlife pond and woodland trail to explore, so why not make a day of it.
“You may even be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of our resident peregrine falcons through the telescopes.”
This month’s ‘abirdabode’ event is a drop-in session and the art activities are free, but there is a charge to make a nest box (£5 for non-RSPB members, £4 for members).
There are 10 nest box making kits available so nest box building will operate on a first come, first served basis. All activities are weather dependant and may have to be cancelled at short notice in the event of severe conditions like snow or ice.
Dovestone Youth Rangers, who have been involved in the ‘abirdabode’ project and other activities around the reservoir, will also be on hand to help at the event.
Richard Dawson, artist, added: “The ‘abirdabode’ project has been a brilliant way to tap into our local community’s creativity and use art to help give nature a home across Oldham.
“Being involved in the first Discovery Sunday of 2015 is an amazing chance for everyone to get involved and create their own artwork, whilst learning about the amazing natural resource of Dove Stone reservoir and all the great work the RSPB are doing.”
The ‘abirdabode’ project will culminate in an exhibition at Gallery Oldham from 14 March before the bird boxes are released around Oldham to decorate, amaze and provide homes and safe nest sites.
The RSPB also runs a Discovery Sunday event at Dovestone on the last Sunday of every month, from 11 am-3 pm at Ashway Gap picnic area, about half way round the main trail.
For more information about the ‘abirdabode’ project, please visit www.abirdabode.co.uk
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