BREEDING boxes installed on farms across Cambridgeshire have successfully helped to protect three species of rare birds. The boxes were installed in barns and farm buildings as part of Cambridgeshire County Council s commitment to protecting, preserving a
BREEDING boxes installed on farms across Cambridgeshire have successfully helped to protect three species of rare birds.
The boxes were installed in barns and farm buildings as part of Cambridgeshire County Council's commitment to protecting, preserving and encouraging flora and fauna.
The council's farm estate is the largest of its kind in the country with more than 300 tenant farmers working over 30,000 acres of land.
An audit of the boxes showed that barn owls had made extensive use of them to breed despite 2006 being a poor year for the birds. Kestrels and stock doves have also been spotted nesting in the boxes on several occasions.
All three of these birds are considered at risk.
County council rural estate manager Jon Macmillan said: "I am delighted that these boxes have played their part in helping to increase the number of birds."
The Farms Estate plans to expand the scheme by installing more bird boxes in the New Year.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here