Smokers have been urged to steer clear of a village hall ashtray after a family of blue tits decided to set up home inside it. The birds chose the unlikely location outside Astley and Dunley village hall, near Stourport-on-Severn.
Returning Residents
Village hall booking secretary Simone Taylor revealed that the family had been returning to the very same spot for several years, though she had no idea they had come back once more. She said: "We weren't aware they had returned and I often go to the ashtray and have a little check. I've only recently started doing the bookings here, but I was told about how they like to nest there."
Taylor added: "I know our former secretary was rather confused one year, and found a pile of cigarette butts under the bin. It turned out the blue tits had been picking them all and throwing them out to make room for their nesting materials."
Protective Measures
Now, a sign will be put up to ensure people, especially smokers, know the birds are there. Taylor explained: "We have toddler groups who sometimes go outside, but other than that, most people stay inside anyway. We aren't too busy for the next month so they will have hopefully moved on by then. We assume it's the same family who keep coming back - they must think it does the job."
Village hall cleaner Hazel Spicer added: "We didn't know we had them again this year - I was only there yesterday and didn't see them. We've had caravanners at the site too and none of them said anything so they've snuck in quietly this year. They must think it's a perfect nesting spot - but obviously it's not ideal."
Spicer continued: "We'll be putting a sign up warning smokers not to use the ashtray while they are nesting there in order to keep them safe. We'd just urge people to be aware of their presence in the meantime as we want to protect their makeshift home. They have become local celebrities."
