Pupils’ efforts strictly for the birds
May 20 2008 by Karen Wilson, The Journal
A GROUP of 28 schoolchildren from the Alnwick area enjoyed a morning out of the classroom courtesy of Aggregate Industries UK and Northumberland Wildlife Trust.
During National Nest Box Week, Aggregate Industries approached Anthony Johnson, Northumb- erland Wildlife Trust people and wildlife officer, to discuss its commitment to creating alternative homes for the birds which were trying to nest in the few old trees at its Longhoughton quarry site.
Following the consultation, local engineer Mick Fennington from Wooler designed and built five bird boxes and an owl box which would be best suited to the quarry’s barren landscape.
The pupils, all from Longhough- ton Church of England First School, Alnwick, took a trip to the quarry to help with the install- ation of the boxes at the site and to learn more about rocks and soils for their science projects this term.
The children will make a return visit to see if any birds have nested in them.
The school is working on its own biodiversity project which includes making the school grounds more animal friendly. Classes will be making their own habitat boxes with the help of the Wildlife Trust which will then advise on their positioning around the school.
There was a sense of deja vu for teacher Liz Carr who, when she was the same age as today’s children, put up nesting boxes in Swarland Wood.
She said: “I am delighted that the school has been welcomed by Aggregate Industries into a fully working quarry because everything the children have learned today will be used in school work over forthcoming terms.
“It is wonderful to see Northumberland Wildlife Trust helping birds to nest in the quarry and we look forward to our continued friendship with Anthony as he comes to the school to help with our bird box project.”
Taking the school children round the quarry, Elaine Maughan, Aggregates Industries’ regional Breathing Places co-ordinator, said: “Nest Box week has provided us with an excellent opportunity to invite people into our quarries to see what we are doing for wildlife in the North East and Northumberland.
“By siting boxes here, we are able to provide a safe haven for breeding birds.”
