Bournemouth Aviary raises money to build a new hom for birds

Walking through the lower garden of Bournemouth, it is easily to recognise a beautiful giant “cage” with mixed voices from hundreds of birds. That is Bournemouth Aviary – a familiar place with residents of the seaside town since 1930. This is the home for homeless or rescued birds.

We are not sure about the age of all birds. They have lived here for so long, even before we started working here as volunteers

David Jeans – Volunteer of Bournemouth Aviary

“We are not sure about the age of all birds. They have lived here for so long, even before we started working here as volunteers. A parrot called Billy which has just been donated this week by an old lady from Brighton is even more than twenty years old,” said Mr David Jeans – an engineer of Peter Day Precision Engineers who are working as a full time volunteer in Bournemouth Aviary.

Being kept starving, isolated and unhealthily inside a house has led to a variety of consequences for the birds. They were brought to the aviary mainly in bad situations with injured parts of body, panic attitude or negative psychological behaviours.              

There are currently eight people supporting voluntarily with daily tasks. Their responsibility is to take care of the birds in the right way on a regular basis.

David Jeans said: “I have visited the Aviary since 1970. This summer, I decided to be a volunteer of the project. Duties of a supporter sound quite simple but there’s actually lots of work to fulfil everyday: prepare appropriate food with kinds of seeds, fruits, veggies and worms, clean the floor over and over again, make sure to provide them with clean water all day long, check the heat of indoor spaces, etc.”

We maintain their lives, feed them and entertain them, happily

David Jeans

Although not being open for public visits inside, the Aviary is always available for people to come and enjoy for free at anytime.

“I am living in London, but my family has a house in Bournemouth. I come here a lot, spend time looking at them for hours joyfully to release my stress. The birds are amazing. Look at them! They look so happy playing and eating together”,  saidMrs Mindy Gross, a sales advisor from London.

The birds are amazing. Look at them! They look so happy playing and eating together

Mindy Gross

Originally maintained by Bournemouth Council, the Aviary is now totally managed by volunteers. This is a sanctuary, a forever home for any birds to live, without being afraid of being maltreated or sold for money. With the goal of funding 200,000 for building a new Aviary, with a larger flying space for birds, the project welcome further donations from local people and tourists.