Smokers banned from using ashtray - after nesting blue tits move in from village strikers Watch Video

⏲ Duration: 1:46
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✓ Published: 13-May-2024

Description:
Smokers have been banned from using a village hall ashtray bin after it was taken over - by a family of nesting blue tits.<br/><br/>The chicks hatched in the wall-mounted cigarette bin outside Astley and Dunley village hall, in Stourport-on-Severn, Worcs.<br/><br/>Village hall co-ordinator Hazel Spicer discovered the birds when she spotted a pile of cigarette butts under the bin.<br/><br/>She said: “I was opening up the village hall for a group activity when I looked over at the ashtray.<br/><br/>“There was a very neat pile of cigarette butts piled up under it which I thought was strange.<br/><br/>“I wondered over and heard a ‘cheep cheep’ sound and realised it was now home to some little birds.<br/><br/>“The adults must have gone in and thrown out the butts one by one and then set up home. <br/><br/>“I didn’t want anyone putting their cigarettes in the ashtray so we made a sign asking people to respect the birds. <br/><br/>“It’s not the most ideal place for them to build a nest but it suits them pretty well.<br/><br/>“We had blue tits use the bin a few years ago so I’m guessing they must be from the same family who come back each year.”<br/><br/>A notice has now been attached to the bin, asking smokers to put out their ciggies elsewhere. <br/><br/>The sign reads: “Could you please use buckets provided for cigarettes. Birds are nesting in cigarette boxes on wall, thanks.”