ABERPORTH villagers have entered a bird box project they hope will be considered for a One Voice Wales award.

Local county councillor Gethin Davies has made 40 wooden boxes it is hoped will help boost the local bird population.

The boxes are designed for bluetits, great tits, long-tailed tits, flycatchers and robins, along with larger structures for birds such as owls and kestrels.

Cllr Davies said the project had been launched due to concerns over falling bird populations caused by the ravages of climate change and avian flu.

“Last year I made 20 boxes and have made another 20 this time round,” he told the Tivyside. “This latest batch will be fitted at different locations around the village and its surrounding area.

“These potential nesting sites will be monitored and checked during the nesting season because feedback is very important.”

He added that is was hoped to supply Ysgol Gynradd Aberporth with two nest boxes containing miniature cameras in order to stream live video footage back into the classroom.

Project members are also recording the number of nests in local rookeries to see how figures compare with previous years.

“Everyone seems to think this project is a good idea,” said Cllr Davies. “The number of birds feeding in my own garden has certainly gone up over the past year.

“I would encourage anybody to consider launching such a project. And why stop with birds? Boxes for bats and insects can be used as well.”

“The nest boxes need to cleaned between nesting seasons and we use special tools to carry this out in January.”