The Curraghs Wildlife Park is celebrating National Nest Box Week with the help of two local wildlife conservation organisations.

Visitors attending Nest Box Day on Saturday 13th February will be able to see how bat and bird boxes are made and walk around the Park, with volunteers learning the ‘do’s and don’ts’ of where to put the boxes once they have been made.  They can even have a go at making their own box and taking it home with them in return for a donation.

Martyn Quayle, Minister for Tourism and Leisure, said, "This is a great opportunity for us to encourage as many people as possible to support National Nest Box Week and put up boxes in their gardens ready to give our feathered friends a home in the Springtime. 

"Everyone is welcome to come along and have fun learning more about birds and their homes." 

Members of the Manx Bat Group and Adam Denard, Manx Birdlife Conservation Officer, will be present at the Curraghs Wildlife Park on Saturday 13th February from approximately 11.00 am to mark National Nest Box Week.

The week is organised each year by the British Trust for Ornithology and is always timed to coincide with the week of St Valentine’s Day.  This is the most appropriate time of the year as it is early enough for birds to find the new nest boxes placed in their territories in time for nesting later during the year.

Nest Box Day is free of charge although the organisations ask for donations for any nest boxes taken away.  Normal admission rates apply to the Wildllife Park which is open from 10 am to 4 pm at weekends only.