GUIDANCE HELPS IN THE DETERRENCE OF BIRDS

IN MARCH Historic England issued new guidance on bird deterrence for historic buildings. In the guidance HE points out that, while most birds do not harm buildings, “…where they are present in large numbers they may cause problems. Droppings can be visually disfiguring and damage surfaces such as stonework.”

The document summarises measures owners and managers of historic buildings can take to deter birds and reduce the problems.

“Bird droppings,” the guidance notes, “contain high levels of uric and other acids, phosphates, ammonia, potassium and chlorides. The acids can attack the chemistry of stone, particularly limestones, and lead to salts causing efflorescence and spalling. Inappropriate and unnecessarily aggressive cleaning materials used to remove accumulated droppings can also damage stonework and decorative details.

“Old nests, dead birds and droppings can block gutters and downpipes. Droppings can also be smelly and are a health hazard.”

An important consideration, HE points out, is that any deterrent must not stop birds from accessing active nests.

The guidance can be downloaded from the Technical Advice section of Historic England’s website at historicengland.org.uk q discoveries like these remind us of the power of archaeology to uncover the hidden narratives that connect us to our roots.”

The piece of waterlogged carved oak, named the Boxford Timber, is 1m long, 0.42m wide and 0.2m thick. It was discovered by landowner Derek Fawcett during groundworks for the building of a workshop. It was found approximately 1.5m below the surface not far from the present course of the River Lambourn in a layer of peat. Peat can preserve organic materials like wood over thousands of years because the normal processes of decay are slowed right down due to a lack of oxygen within the peat.

The timber was removed and later that day was cleaned and found to have some markings that did not appear to be natural.

The purpose of the markings is not known, but they are reminiscent of the decoration seen in early Neolithic pottery and are also believed to be similar to the body decoration on the Shigir Idol – a wooden sculpture found in the Ural Mountains of Russia which, at over 12,000 years old, is believed to be the oldest example of carved wood in the world.

After being notified of the find in 2019, West Berkshire Council’s archaeologist Sarah Orr contacted Historic England for expert advice. It is now being conserved at Historic England’s science facility at Fort Cumberland in Portsmouth. q