park staff and Friends of Williamson Park prepare to install 50 new bird boxes in the Fenham Carr area of the park. Photo courtesy Lancaster City Council

Birds at Williamson Park can look forward to feathering their nests in brand new homes this year thanks to the 50 new bird boxes recently installed in trees at Fenham Carr.

Lancaster City Council initiated a project for prisoners from HMYOI Lancaster Farms to make the boxes during the winter and they are now ready to be put in place. The boxes are numbered to help record the usage of each box.
 
Councillor Ron Sands, cabinet member with responsibility for culture and tourism, said: “This partnership project has proved to be very successful and is set to benefit both the community and the environment.

“The hard work of the young offenders will contribute to the woodland improvements that are ongoing in Williamson Park to which many members of the local community have also contributed.

“With the recent installation of a bird hide in Fenham Carr, this area of the park is quickly becoming an ideal spot for bird watchers.”

Governor of HMYOI Lancaster Farms, Stephen Lawrence, said: “Williamson Park is a great feature of Lancaster and we are pleased to have had this partnership opportunity to help with the woodland improvements. Many of the staff at Lancaster Farms live within the local area and will therefore be part of the community who benefit from the project.”