The Nesting Boxes of the Canal

The "Les Nichoirs du Canal" operation is part of the biodiversity preservation approach led by the Société du Canal Seine-Nord Europe. Launched in March 2022 in Compiègne, it will be extended at the end of 2024 to Noyonnais, Somme, Pas-de-Calais and Nord.

Objective: to make residents' gardens and school yards places of reception and reproduction of birds living near the Canal construction sites.

Nesting boxes as alternative habitats

Construction work on the Seine-Nord Europe Canal sometimes requires clearing and deforestation which can impact bird habitats (hedges, thickets, edges, woodlots). To reduce this nuisance as much as possible, the “Les Nichoirs du Canal” operation allows birds to set up their nests in nesting boxes, located in the gardens of the inhabitants of the neighboring municipalities of the future Canal.

Residents of Noyonnais, Santerre Haute-Somme and Artois-Cambrésis, sign up!

Registrations extended until January 6, 2025!

Would you like to join the “Nichoirs du Canal” community and benefit from a nest box to install in your garden to welcome birds from spring 2025?

How to participate ?

I check that I live in one of the municipalities concerned by the operation:
- In Noyonnais: Beaulieu-les-Fontaines, Beaurains-lès-Noyon, Countryside, Catigny, Ecuvilly, Frétoy-le-Château, Lagny, Libermont, Noyon, Porquéricourt, Sermaize, Vauchelles.
- In the Santerre Haute-Somme: Allaines, Barleux, Bethencourt-sur-Somme, Biaches, Breuil, Brie, Cizancourt, Clery-sur-Somme, Cressy-Omencourt, Epenancourt, Equancourt, Ercheu, Eterpigny, Etricourt-Manancourt, Languevoisin-Quiquery, Licourt, Mesnil-Saint-Nicaise, Moislains, Morchain, Moyencourt, Nesle, Pargny, Péronne, Rouy-le-Grand, Rouy-le-Petit, Saint-Christ-Briost, Villers-Carbonnel.
- In Artois-Cambrésis: Aubencheul-au-Bac, Bertincourt, Bourlon, Graincourt-lès-Havrincourt, Havrincourt, Hermies, Marquion, Moeuvres, Oisy-le-Verger, Ruyaulcourt, Sains-lès-Marquion, Sauchy-Lestrée, Ytres.
I consult the booklet to choose in particular the model of nest box that I would like to receive
I fill out the online registration form until January 6, 2025:

I am registering for the “Les Nichoirs du Canal” operation

I receive my “birdhouse” kit including a nest box, a guide to good practices and a bird atlas (subject to available stocks of nest boxes).
I install my birdhouse in my garden upon receipt or at the latest early March, before nesting.
I take advantage of it and observe nature
Each year, I complete the tracking sheet provided and thus participates directly in the scientific work accompanying the construction of the Seine-Nord Europe Canal.

What birds will nest?

Do you know the Song Thrush? The European Goldfinch? The Starling?
These birds are among species found along the route of the Canal Seine-North Europe.

Discover in the photographic atlas of birds these species that surround us, and their specific song!

Throughout the seasons, follow the birds of the Canal on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/lesnichoirsducanal/

More than 600 nesting boxes already installed!

The operation has attracted many nature lovers from Compiègne with more than 600 nest boxes installed, before the nesting period, in gardens, schools and public spaces. Every year and for 5 years, amateur ornithologists monitor the species sheltered in their nest boxes, thus participating directly in the scientific work accompanying the construction of the Seine-Nord Europe Canal.

they tell us about it

Discover in video their testimonials enthusiastic around the families of blue tits or great tits that they were able to welcome in their nest box in their garden or playground.