AWF Wrocław undoubtedly has the most beautiful location in Wrocław. Our campuses (the small one on Witelona and Banach streets and the large one on the site of the Olimpijski Stadium) are separated by the Szczytnicki Park, the Oder River flows nearby, and everywhere is green and peaceful. The area is characterised by a great variety of tree and shrub species from all parts of the world, as well as animals. Ideal conditions for studying and relaxing. We are used to seeing our little brothers and sisters – squirrels, mice, hedgehogs, rabbits and hares. A rabbit has made its home in the garden of the Rectorate at Banacha Street. It came to us at Easter and has stayed with us ever since. Thanks to the abundance of trees and bushes, forest and city birds such as jackdaws, sparrows, pigeons and tits can be seen and heard. It is the latter, the smallest ones, that we decided to help a little.
And so, on 17 May 2023, we organised the first international environmental workshop. Our event had two parts – theoretical and practical. In the first part, we listened to a presentation about the flying inhabitants of our area, how to distinguish them, what their characteristics are and their habits. In the second part, we took the right tools in our hands and twisted planks to create birdhouses.
It was a great time to relax and also a good opportunity for our Polish students, foreign Erasmus students and guests from the USA to have fun. The workshop was also attended by a student, Elisa Pietruszka- Orozco, who is heavily involved in rescuing sparrows unwanted by their mother. She takes such a poor thing in, gives it a home (in a sock) and feeds it. It warms the hearts! We applaud such an attitude.
The birdhouses were branded with the participants’ logos, waterproofed and will be hung on trees in the AWF grounds in late autumn. We hope that baby birds will emerge in spring and in winter our hollows will protect the occupants from the cold.
We will keep an eye on the situation! Or maybe we can mount a small camera and witness the bird life? Time will tell.
Many thanks to Mrs Catherine Dubrownik for her knowledge, instructions, tools and wood products, and for an atmosphere that facilitates international conversation and laughter.
