It would seem Rockliffe Hall’s beautiful grounds aren’t just appreciated by the resort’s guests, golfers and staff – a wide variety of birds have chosen to take up residence at the luxury hotel too.
Rockliffe Hall is working together with the River Tees Rediscovered Landscape Partnership to encourage our feathered friends to come and stay at the five star resort, and it’s been a huge success.
The project, entitled “Wings on the Tees” involved the installation of 36 bird nest boxes around the grounds of the Hall and Golf course over the last year. The project covers anything that can fly from dragonflies and butterflies to bats and all types of birds, but initially it’s concentrating on birds.
Two large boxes were erected for Tawny Owls in the wooded grounds. Happily both were used, the first by a Tawny which has successfully reared three chicks. The second was taken over by a Stock Dove that raised two chicks. Both birds are on the amber alert list for this country due to a decline in numbers.
The smaller boxes were also well occupied – 15 by Blue Tits, eight by Great Tits and one mid-size box by Starlings.
Head Gardener at Rockliffe Hall, Phil Mennell, says: “We’re absolutely thrilled with the results of this project so far. It is hoped the partnership will grow and sites will be found for more boxes, aiming to bring a greater variety of birds into the area.”
For further information on the “Wings on the Tees” project please contact Sarah Barry on 01287 636382, or sbarry@teeswildlife.org
The partnership is supported by the Tees Valley Wildlife Trust and by the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Contact Rockliffe Hall on 01325 729999 or visit www.rockliffehall.com