Garden centre is forced to cordon off its display of bird houses … after pair of crafty blue tits make one their home
- EXCLUSIVE: Garden centre ropes off area due to crafty blue tits taking up roost
- Staff at Newport Pagnell store are unable to disturb the nesting birds
A garden centre have been forced to cordon off its bird houses – after a pair of crafty blue tits made one its home.
The ‘Oakwell’ timber shelter was up for sale in Alban Hill Nurseries when it caught one of the little birds’ eyes.
The store, in Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire, has now had to cordon off the area and warn punters away from their goods – because you cannot disturb nesting birds.
But Managing Director Nina Konig has celebrated her new resident as a winning endorsement of the quality of their products.
She said: ‘They seem to have settled in very well and are unfazed by the hustle and bustle of a busy shop environment.
The store, in Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire, has now had to cordon off the area and warn punters away from their goods – because you cannot disturb nesting birds
Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 wild birds, their nests and eggs are protected by law
‘We always feed and encourage our birds here at the nursery. Not only is the protection of wildlife so important, they are also a great detriment for many garden pests and we definitely see the benefit of that here.
‘The Blue Tits are very keen on peanuts but are also partial to our mixed bird seed and suet coconuts. We have also been leaving out calci worms for them (which are packed with a high content of protein and additional calcium and are really great for egg and bone development which might be needed if they are indeed nesting!).
‘However despite all this choice they will occasionally peck through some of the food in the shop if they don’t like what’s on offer!’
The garden centre team are now hoping their feathered friends are nesting- and are eagerly awaiting the arrival of fledglings.
Blue tits
A Blue Tit among primroses
A colourful blue, yellow white and green staple of the English garden, Blue Tits came in eighth for a poll of Britain’s national bird in 2015.
Just 12cm in length, there are as many as 15 million of them in the UK.
They are common in woodland, hedgerows, parks and gardens and can be found across the country with the exception of some Scottish islands.
The cheeky birds were for a long time known as Titmice – originating in the Middle English for small bird.
Amazing footage shows the birds nipping in and out of their new home – which sits alongside rows of other products now off limits to customers.
It also sits next to huge bags of bird feed and feeders.
But the cunning birds have hit the company’s profit margins – with the nursery having to sacrifice sales to help their beaky buddies.
Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 wild birds, their nests and eggs are protected by law.
And within the ruling it is a criminal offence to intentionally or recklessly disturb any wild bird while it is nest building, or a nest containing eggs or young, or disturb the dependent young of such a bird.
It is also illegal to intentionally take, damage or destroy the nest of any wild bird while it is in use or being built – and penalties can be doled out including an unlimited fine, six months imprisonment or both.
Nina continued: ‘We cordoned off the area to protect them as soon as we found out they had moved in.
‘It has had an impact on trade as no one can shop that particular area at the moment but we are doing it for all the right reasons and customers can ask for assistance.
‘Some of our customers have been able to see the Blue Tits flying around the shop and also occasionally coming in and out of their new home.
Managing Director Nina Konig (pictured) has celebrated her new resident as a winning endorsement of the quality of their products
Amazing footage shows the birds nipping in and out of their new home – which sits alongside rows of other products now off limits to customers
But the cunning birds have hit the company’s profit margins – with the nursery having to sacrifice sales to help their beaky buddies
The nurseries have been praised by the RSPB, who said the devoted staff have made a ‘good home’ for the blue tit couple
‘But ultimately we are hoping that it has raised some awareness and inspired some of our customers to help more birds into their gardens by feeding them and creating a safe place for them.’
The nurseries have been praised by the RSPB, who said the devoted staff have made a ‘good home’ for the blue tit couple.
Richard Morris of the RSPB said: ‘These birds have clearly found a good home and it’s great to see they’re being given space to raise their young in peace.
‘Blue Tits like to nest in all sorts of places, from crevices in tree trunks to holes in walls. Anyone who finds birds nesting in their own garden should leave the nest exactly where it is and give it a wide berth.
‘Putting out food and fresh water, remembering to clean feeders and containers regularly, is an easy way to give any new parents a helping hand.’
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