It’s National Nest Box Week this week (14 – 21 February 2011), a national campaign that encourages people to contribute to the UK’s biodiversity and conservation efforts by putting up nest boxes in their local area.

Here in Dorset we’ve been kicking it off in the best way we know how.

On Saturday the team at Arne helped the Corfe Mullen cubs put up nest boxes on mature trees at the recreation ground behind their scout hut. The nest boxes were made by the cubs last year with timber cut from the nature reserve as part of their wildlife conservation work. It is hoped that, under the cubs’ watchful eye, the boxes will attract blue tits and great tits in the coming season.

Yesterday, Sunday 13 February, the team at Weymouth Wetlands invited people to come along to the visitor centre and build their own nest boxes for their garden lovebirds.

Fear not though, there are still some more chances to get in on the action with other activities we’ve organised in celebration of this worthy campaign. On Sunday 20 February at Arne, between 10am and 2pm, you can make your own nest box to take home (call 01929 553360 to book), and on Thursday 24 February you can make your own bat or bug house at Radipole Lake (01305 778313).

If you haven’t got time to build a nest box then why not go and buy one? For just a few pounds, not only will you be helping to provide much-needed homes for dozens of bird species, you will also get enormous pleasure observing the wide-variety of birds you attract to your garden.

Based on information supplied by Katharine Teed.