Openreach and RSPB feather nests with bird box project

They say birds of a feather flock together and this certainly seems to be the case for this project to install bird boxes at locations across Worcester and Malvern.

The project arose thanks to the combined effort of Worcester and Malvern RSPB Local Group and Openreach, each bringing their own set of expertise to a project to protect endangered birds.

They were installed in Laugherne Road, Victoria Street, Newey's Hill in Worcester and Hawkwood Close and Blackmore Road in Malvern.

ENDANGERED: A bird box being installed - they have been put in place across Worcester and Malvern (Image: Openreach)

Openreach employees on a volunteer day, with their cherry picker worked in conjunction with the RSPB and the RSPB local group to help these threatened birds.

Swifts nest in cavities in the eaves of houses but roof repairs and modern materials mean that they suffer from a lack of nest sites.

Providing Swift nest boxes in suitable locations is a way to alleviate this problem, and this is something the local RSPB group is trying to do.

HEIGHTS: Cherry picker cranes were used by Openreach to install the bird boxes (Image: RSPB) Simon Evans, Worcester and Malvern RSPB Local Group, said: "We are particularly targeting specific locations where Swifts already breed in an effort to nurture these colonies.

"The boxes are made and supplied at cost price by the Worcester Environmental Group, and funding was gratefully received from Councillors Jenny Barnes, Mel Allcott, and the Duckworth Trust. "

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On Wednesday, the team of Openreach engineers volunteered their time and expertise in working at height to safely install specially designed nest boxes in homes.

RESULT: A crane installs a bird box on a home thanks to joint work between Openreach and the RSPB (Image: RSPB)

Openreach has installed over 50 nest boxes so far and plans to expand the initiative to other regions in the future, reinforcing its commitment to sustainability and nature.

Abby Chicken, head of sustainability at Openreach, said: “Our partnership with the RSPB is a meaningful step toward our sustainability goals. Our engineers are in a unique position to make a real difference for wildlife, and this project is a great example of how we can apply our skills beyond the network to support biodiversity and the communities we work in.”

Dr Natasha Howell, senior business conservation advisor at RSPB, said: "This project really is the perfect way for our two organisations to work together. We're both bringing our specialist skills to the table to help threatened species recover from declines."