LEAVING the trees behind, birds are flocking to build their homes in the concrete jungle. Reporter Abigail Woodcock checks out the latest nesting hotspot.

BIRDS nest in the craziest of places, as one cleaner found out when she went to empty an ash tray box at a pub.

Tricia Andrews was surprised to discover three speckled eggs when she opened the wall mounted box at The Green Man in Wickham Street, Welling.

The 51-year-old promptly put up a notice, warning punters not to dispose of their cigarette butts in the tray.

Last Thursday (MAY 10) the eggs hatched, revealing three tiny chicks, completely bare with no feathers.

Miss Andrews, who has worked at the pub for four years, said: “When I opened it, a bird flew out which made me jump.

“I then saw these little eggs. It was quite exciting.

“It’s quite unusual really.

“I’ve been listening and trying to look in since, and I’ve seen the mother bird flying in and out to see them.”

Landlady of the pub, Lisa Cobbold, 52, was equally surprised.

The mother-of-two said: “We thought Tricia was winding us up at the beginning, we didn’t know whether it was a joke.

“Our customers read the sign we put up and have been very obliging.

“You don’t know what to do for the best, we don’t want to interfere too much with the chicks in case the mother abandons them.”

A spokesman for the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) says birds will nest wherever there is an opportunity.

He said: “This can lead to problems if it causes conflict with building maintenance or access, but generally it’s usually OK and people enjoy the experience of having birds close by.

“Last year, a kestrel nested in a cement silo on an M25 widening depot site.

“We’d urge people to install nest boxes and to plant trees, shrubs and hedges wherever there’s space.

“Also, avoid blocking up nooks, crannies and gaps where birds have traditionally nested.”

Where else have birds nested?

Traffic lights made a cosy home for a song thrush to build its nest

A robin’s nest was discovered in a Christmas wreath on a resident’s front door

A swan with chicks and eggs was spotted on a nest made of rubbish, including an Adidas bag, in the canal adjoining the Olympic Park in east London

Great tits were found nesting in a parking machine

Mallards have been seen nesting on a third floor balcony of a flat on the Thames