May 2012. Dessie McKenzie of the Linnet Inn, Boho, Co Fermanagh, proudly showed off his most unusual client - a family of blue tits which have taken up residence in the cigarette box just outside the pub. The birds have been nesting there now for the past two weeks and the adults have been frantically feeding the chicks whom, by all accounts sound like a raucous bunch.
Cigarette butts used as nesting material
"About three weeks ago, a customer threw a cigarette butt into the box and out flew a tit, which was unusual, to say the least," said Dessie. "He told me about it and I went to inspect the box. I was really surprised to see that that butts had been used by the blue tits as nest building material and even more surprised to see there were eggs. I quickly put up signs to stop people from using the boxes and called the RSPB to find out what I should do."
"About three weeks ago, a customer threw a cigarette butt into the box and out flew a tit, which was unusual, to say the least," said Dessie. "He told me about it and I went to inspect the box. I was really surprised to see that that butts had been used by the blue tits as nest building material and even more surprised to see there were eggs. I quickly put up signs to stop people from using the boxes and called the RSPB to find out what I should do."
Stephanie Sim, RSPB, went down to take a look at the ‘nest' as well as to make sure the birds were doing well.
"At this time of the year we get calls from all over the country asking us what should be done about the birds which have nested in unusual places," said Stephanie. "This definitely takes the biscuit though. It shows you never know where nature will turn up."
Robin's nest too
Dessie was also surprised to see that his other cigarette box was also a nest site for a robin this time. However, this nest did not fledge and when Dessie noticed the birds had abandoned the site, he took a look in the nest and saw a hatched egg and an addled egg.
Dessie was also surprised to see that his other cigarette box was also a nest site for a robin this time. However, this nest did not fledge and when Dessie noticed the birds had abandoned the site, he took a look in the nest and saw a hatched egg and an addled egg.
"Dessie has done the right thing leaving the nest sites alone, until the birds hatch and fledge," said Stephanie. "All bird nests are protected by law and destroying a nest site is a wildlife crime. If you do have birds nesting you need to allow them to bring up their brood and get away."
Stephanie also commented on the amount of wildlife that used the area around the pub. She saw swallows flying into the barn and house sparrows in the eaves. "This shows how we are so closely with wildlife," she commented.
Make Your Nature Count
From 2 - 10 June this year the RSPB will be holding its summer survey called Make Your Nature Count. It asks people to, over the course of a week, spend an hour in their gardens and report the findings to the RSPB.
From 2 - 10 June this year the RSPB will be holding its summer survey called Make Your Nature Count. It asks people to, over the course of a week, spend an hour in their gardens and report the findings to the RSPB.
"It doesn't have to be birds," said Stephanie. "Bugs, butterflies, creepy crawlies, mammals, foxes, bats - let us know."
To take part in the survey go to www.rspb.org.uk/naturecount to download a form or to register. You can also fill your results in online.
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