Pupils from St. MacNissi’s Primary School in Larne recently took part in a project with Mid and East Antrim Borough Council to make wildlife habitats in Smiley Park, a well wooded small amenity area near the centre of the town. Under the experienced guidance of Adrian Woodley from the Ulster Wildlife Trust, the P5 pupils made a number of bird and bat boxes from pre-cut templates to put up in the park. The boxes made will provide valuable homes for our smaller song birds and local bats. Parks within urban areas can be a haven for local biodiversity, and these nest and bat boxes will provide important nesting and roosting habitats that can sometimes be limited in the urban environment.
Maurice Turley, Biodiversity Officer with Mid and East Antrim Borough Council commented “The children from the school were very enthusiastic and knowledgeable about their local wildlife, and they really enjoyed the practical side of this activity”
The boxes were put up in the park with help from the pupils after the construction was completed. It is hoped that local birds and bats will take up residence in these newly provided habitats in the near future.
For more information about the biodiversity of Mid and East Antrim Council or to find out what you can do to help your local wildlife contact the Council Biodiversity Officer on maurice.turley@midandeastantrim.gov.uk
