Surfbirds News

On Wednesday 9 March, Durham City Arts launched ‘The Best Bird Boxes in Britain’ in partnership with: Creative Partnerships Durham Sunderland; Commissions North (Arts Council England, North East); The County Durham Bird Recorder; Durham City Council and Northern Architecture.

The 25 custom-built bird boxes have been created by London-based architects De Matos Storey Ryan (DMSR), who took inspiration from ideas and designs by young people from a Creative Partnerships Durham Sunderland primary school.

Nestboxes - Photo credit - John Kelly

Over a 3-month period, 22 children between the ages of 7 and 11 from Wearhead Primary School in County Durham worked alongside architect, Angus Morrogh-Ryan to create the challenging designs. The project has been an inventive way for the pupils to develop their creative learning skills through extensive ‘teamwork’ situations and has provided a valuable insight into the specialist world of a creative professional.

The Durham bird boxes will be ‘temporary’ pieces of public art that will be sited on the riverbanks of the Wear. The idyllic setting in the heart of the Durham Peninsula is home to wonderful examples of wildlife and historic architecture. The intention has been to produce a high quality, innovative design project that will complement this environment. The bird boxes will provide a haven for birds including: the rare spotted flycatchers; robins; starlings and tawny owls – and will raise the profile and appreciation of wildlife in Durham City. It’s hoped that members of the public and tourists to the region will use the Durham bird boxes as a kind of nature trail treasure hunt, searching out the wildlife jewels from this part of Northern England.

The bird boxes anticipate the work being done by the Riverbanks Management Group (which is chaired by Durham City Council) to regenerate and invest in the banks of the River Wear at Durham City. "This is a unique project which brings together issues of wildlife conservation, innovative design solutions and environmental education - all taking place on the doorstep of a world heritage site. The River Wear is a major wildlife corridor through the County and it has been particularly interesting to work with young people who have a real appreciation of the environment in which they live,” said Tony Armstrong of The County Durham Bird Recorder.

Tony expressed the importance of the 'Durham Bird Box' project. He said: “The project is great news from a wildlife point of view, as it has produced some very significant gains. Firstly, it has raised the profile of and appreciation for the wildlife, which exists in the centre of Durham City. Secondly, the bird boxes will provide many more nesting opportunities for the birds that use this managed woodland and thereby increase local bird populations.”

The bird boxes will be sited directly adjacent to the world heritage site comprising of Durham Cathedral - a Masterpiece of Romanesque Architecture - and Durham Castle. The Durham Peninsula site where the boxes will be housed, is in complex multiple ownership including: Durham Cathedral; University of Durham; St Cuthbert’s and St John’s College.

London-based architects, De Matos Storey Ryan (DMSR) won the 'Durham Bird Box' project tender out of a field of over 70 strong contenders from a wide range of emerging and established architectural practices from the UK and Europe. “I have been astounded by the extent of the pupils’ existing knowledge of natural habitats, and their enthusiasm to participate and learn has been an inspiration,” said Angus Morrogh-Ryan, Architect on the 'Durham Bird Box' project.

The creative designs for the practical plywood boxes were an amalgamation of fun research studies undertaken during various workshops between Angus and the young pupils of Wearhead Primary School – this information was also combined with ornithological material provided by the County Durham Bird Recorder and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. Each bird box differs in size and is tailored to the specific requirements of the different species of birds found in this region of Durham. The subtle colours of the various boxes have been intentionally chosen to blend into the natural habitat. The project brief required the bird box to allow easy access for the various types of birds and to apply the use of materials that would be both waterproof but at the same time would avoid the animal being overheated from ‘solar gain’. The boxes can be fitted to trees and buildings without harm by using a simple strap and buckle. Each box will have a temporary lifespan of up to 4 years.

Angus added: “The birds themselves will ultimately judge the success of the project and it’ll be fascinating to see which species adopts which boxes. Whatever the outcome, the process has been highly enjoyable and the collaboration between DMSR and the pupils of Wearhead Primary School has led to the discussion of many truly imaginative ideas.”

Creative Partnerships Durham Sunderland aims to curate and commission a creative learning programme that enables teachers, schools, young people and creative practitioners to work in collaboration to explore ideas, generate new creative work and develop new approaches to learning, teaching and cultural production.

If you know of any birds that are looking to swoop at the chance to nest this Spring in the North East of England, advise them to fly-up and investigate the fabulous Durham bird boxes.