People / Interviews
Living in a box
The countdown continues until the protesters up trees in Stapleton are evicted to make way for the MetroBus bus-only junction.
While many have set up netted hammocks between the trees at risk of being axed, one activist decided to build a warmer structure.
Dav Kahyk, 35, a tree surgeon by trade, built a 6ft by 3ft plywood box, complete with a perch and circular entrance – to replicate a real-life bird box.
The eco-warrier, who is sleeping in the giant birdbox with a female friend, said they decided to build it as it is symbolic of their campaign.
He said: “We decided to build the bird box as we thought it would prove why we are here – we are trying to prove that chopping down trees will take away wildlife’s homes. We’re all living things, so if they decide to chop the trees down they will have to take the home with it.
There are two of us in there at the moment, but we’ve decided we’re going to start taking it in turns. Everyone else is just sleeping in nets in the trees so this is much more luxurious – it’s like a Hilton Hotel.
“It took us about a day to build. It is made completely of recyclable items. Plywood, carpet and lino. It took us an evening to build the platform and then it took us a day to build the building around it.”
Dav added: “We’re keeping warm in the box with hot water bottles and extra jumpers, we’re all huddled around like penguins. The bird box is much warmer than the outdoor nets, we’ve had a cold few nights so everyone wants the bird box.”
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