A CONSERVATION scheme to save the kestrel has been widened across Essex.
The Essex Birdwatching Society programme, based in Chelmsford, builds and places nestboxes at strategic locations in an attempt to combat the declining numbers of the bird of prey's population.
This month the society delivered its latest box to a private site in Wickham Bishops, as part of plans to extend the scheme further afield across the region.
Louise Sykes, secretary at the EBwS, said: "It's been a really good year for kestrel breeding, as the mild spring weather ensured that the birds had suitable habitats and food sources all year long.
"We are now installing new nestboxes across Essex and hope to have some located in primary schools, in order to teach children about the importance of nature conservation."
Harsh winters in 2012 and 2013 severely depleted the national kestrel population prompting intervention from local twitchers.
The fate of the birds hinges upon finding a steady supply of food and shelter, and so the specially-constructed nestboxes help to protect their eggs from external risk factors, such as bad weather conditions and larger predators.
In addition to the installation at Wickham Bishops, the Essex Birdwatching Society has arranged for four additional boxes to be installed at sites in Wethersfield, Brightlingsea, Roydon and Southend.
Steve Baines, who installs the boxes and monitors their success rates, said: "Kestrels like to nest in tree holes or building ledges, so a box placed in large trees in isolated areas such as farm land will make an ideal home."
The society has already bred kestrels successfully at 12 spots in and around Chelmsford, and this year alone the boxes ensured that 45 baby birds survived into adulthood.
The EBwS raised £1,500 at its annual Birds of Prey conference in March, which funded the kestrel nest box programme.
Mr. Baines added: "With this year being so successful, I plan to put up even more nestboxes over the winter. I only hope that next year will be just as good as this one."
You can find out more about the work of the EBWS at www.ebws.org.uk.
