New bird habitat built on university campus

University students and conservationists are collaborating to build a new on-campus bird habitat.

The University of Worcester and Worcester and Malvern RSPB group are creating a hedgerow around the Lakeside Campus.

The groups said the aim of the 450m-long hedge is to increase biodiversity and create an eco-system that will support a wide variety of species and supply birds with the food they need.

Nick Skilbeck, from RSPB, said the project would have a real positive impact on "the nesting bird species on site in the summer".

"In a few years this hedgerow will provide food and shelter for the wildlife that uses the three hectare nature area already created," he said.

"The birds using the birdseed crop will use the hedge to shelter from the winter weather and from predators.

"It is likely that new species of birds will move into the site for this reason."

The volunteers have planted more than 450 hedge plants, including damson, birch and alder.

Funding for the project was secured through winning a grant from the Duckworth Worcestershire Trust Environmental Legacy Grant Scheme.

Campus manager Rob Delahay, said he hoped the new habitat would further encourage birds and other species to visit the nature area.

"The university is always keen to work with the community and this project has shown what organisations working together can achieve, in this case for the benefit of the environment," he said.

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