Exciting new developments are taking place at the Tamar Trails in the Tamar Valley between Tavistock and Gunnislake. This week see’s the installation of an eagerly anticipated sculptural Bird Feeder Tree.
Back in the Autumn of 2013, the Tamar Trails Centre applied for some funding to create something new and interesting for the visitors of the trails. The plan…to create a beautiful, sculptural, welcoming feature that would enhance the centre in some way. Bounced around within a flurry of other ideas, was the idea to create a Bird Feeding Station that would encourage a variety of wild birds to visit the area more frequently. This idea was a success, and so followed weeks of eager planning, designing and anticipation.
Resident nature enthusiast and keen twitcher, Richard Hibbert of “Dart Days” walks on Dartmoor, said the following about the feeder. “The concept is primarily a sculpture that will double as a feeder, with nooks, crannies and platforms from which the birds can forage and feed. I’m anticipating the local nuthatches, tits, great spotted woodpeckers and possibly treecreepers will use it”
On finding the right piece of wood, Alastair & Melanie Guy of Alastair Guy and Sons, the creators of the project commented, “The magnificent tree trunk which Mel and I selected was from the Tamar Valley. It is a great chunk of brown oak, with lots of bur outcrops on it. It was so heavy that a lot of weight had to be cut out from the base. All in all we are excited to see how parts of the trunk will in time weather with interesting shapes and textures.” Alastair Guy & Sons are well known in the local area for high quality woodworking, especially natural play environments, having worked on projects all across the South West including the Eden Project.
The new Bird Feeder Tree was delivered and installed into it’s new home at the Tamar Trails Centre this week, and will continue to adapt and form part of our beautiful landscape for years to come. Melanie Guy adds “There are areas which will trap and provide water and may encourage rot; hence to advantage, insects may gather there too.” The more time it has to settle in, the more birds you will start to see!
The Tamar Trails are open to the public all the time and are free to access, so feel free to visit the feeder and watch the birds whenever you wish!
