The ten-year-old swallow house in the Fernwald district of Annerod has a new location. The local bird protection group received help with the extensive work from the Giessen public utility company.
Over the past few years, the swallow house in the Annerod district of Fernwald has become a magnet for walkers and families. "Parents and their children in particular love coming here during the breeding and rearing season. The newly fledged young swallows are one of the main attractions," explains Thomas Wottawa from the Human Resources and Organisation department at Stadtwerke Gießen (SWG) and also head of the Annerod bird protection group.
A few days ago, the association moved the swallow house a few metres together with SWG. The bird protection group had already decided to do this a year ago in consultation with the nature conservation organisation. The reason for the decision: At the former location of the swallow house, the birds had frequently crossed the nearby houses while foraging and nesting and soiled them with droppings. "We were looking for an optimal solution in terms of bird protection and in the interests of local residents. We have now found it," says Thomas Wottawa, who is delighted with the support of his employer.
Work colleagues in action
Thomas Wottawa proposed the support as one of 75 good deeds with which SWG is supporting social projects, associations and organisations in the region this year. "Many of our active members have already passed the age of 70, which is why it would have been difficult to manage the move on our own," explains Thomas Wottawa. On 29 April, he presented Kuno Rinn and Karl Schneider, members of the Annerod bird protection group and organisers of the move, with a symbolic donation cheque for SWG's support. Horst Funk from SWG's Technical Services explains what the help from the municipal utility company involved: "First of all, we moved the swallow house to its former location and then used an excavator to dig a hole at its current location. In the meantime, Stefan Walther from the SWG locksmith's shop removed the old support pole and delivered a new one, which was made by us."
Just in time for the start of this year's breeding season, the swallow house is in its new location in a green space. Thomas Wottawa is certain: "An excellent place for the birds to incubate and raise their offspring."