Five-star homes for feathered friends at Townsend Park
It’s not just the residents feeling at home at Townsend Park, the Crimson Rosellas and Lorikeets are loving life there too! A shared passion for woodworking, nature and community has brought Townsend Park residents together to create something special for their feathered neighbours.
Earlier this year, the village received a Keyton Ignite Your Passion grant to bring a unique, resident-led idea to life. With the funding, a group of residents from the village workshop, led by David Greig, built a collection of bird nesting boxes designed especially for their rosella neighbours.
After months of planning and teamwork, the self-proclaimed “Bird Box Gang” has now completed 16 beautifully crafted boxes that David proudly describes as “five-star accommodation” for the birds.
“I spent a lot of time researching the best design and materials to make sure the boxes would not only be inviting but also safe and durable,” David said. “Each one has been made with care and a bit of science too. They’re not all identical, we’ve experimented with variations so we can learn which design the birds prefer for future builds.”
A retired biology teacher, David has always been passionate about nature, particularly native flora and fauna. It’s one of the things that first drew him to Townsend Park more than seven years ago, where the mature trees and lush gardens made him instantly feel at home.
After moving in, David saw an opportunity to create a space where residents could connect over a shared love of woodworking or try their hand at something new. His idea led to the remodelling of the village workshop into a well-equipped space with all the right tools, machinery and safety gear, where residents could get creative and build together.
Inspired by the rosellas and lorikeets that frequent the Townsend Park gardens, the idea for the bird boxes soon took flight within the workshop group.
In built-up areas like Adelaide’s coastal suburbs, where Townsend Park is located, urban growth and the clearing of native trees have left fewer hollows for these native parrots to nest in.
“For the rosellas and lorikeets, a nesting box gives them somewhere secure to lay their eggs and raise their young,” David explained.
Eight boxes have been installed around the village and the rest will be sold privately, with proceeds supporting future workshop projects.
The group has also shared their idea beyond the village, connecting with the City of Holdfast Bay Council and McAuley Community School across the road, where they recently hosted a Bird Box Stall at the school fete.
“We sold out on the day and there were many orders taken for more,” said David proudly.
For David and the workshop gang, it’s not just about the projects, it’s about the people.
“It’s a great way to stay connected,” David said. “For our members, the workshop is a safe space. You know, life happens… and here’s a place where people can come and talk about it.”
Woodworking goes hand in hand with care and precision and the group love using their skills to repair or build furniture for others around the village.
“Through the Village Newsletter, we advertise our services to fix furniture and personal items or even assemble flatpacks,” he said, “There’s no personal gain in it, it’s just about helping out.”
It’s that same spirit of generosity and teamwork that has made the bird box project such a success.
“I’m really optimistic about where this could go. It’s a simple project that brings people together and has a positive impact on the local environment. We have received a number of orders and plan to make more boxes ahead of the 2026 nesting season.”
Supported by a Keyton Ignite Your Passion grant, the project gave residents the opportunity to turn an idea into meaningful action, combining creativity, environmental stewardship and community connection.
The Townsend Park Bird Box Gang are showing that with a little creativity and care, everyone (even the local wildlife) can feel right at home.
It's projects like this that reflect life at Townsend Park: pursuing passions, building meaningful connections and having the freedom to continue doing the things that matter most.
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