The internal garden within the Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology department (CEB) building has been closed for the “next couple of weeks”, as a female mallard had “chosen the garden to make her nest”, students were informed last week.

Infrastructure Manager Alexander Carvell sent an email explaining that “we do not want to risk damaging the bird, the eggs or the nest.” The department has contacted the RSPB and a local wildlife rescue service to make sure the animals could be properly relocated.

Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, the University could get fined if it does not carry out appropriate measures to protect the wild birds.

While garden users might not be an “intentional” threat, as the legislation describes, Carvell nevertheless emphasised that it would be an “offence to interfere” as “all birds, their nests and eggs are protected by law”.

Seven ducklings reportedly hatched in the garden and were “in the best health”, as of 01/06. The CEB posted a photo of the ducklings on their Instagram, joking that they are their “first undergrads for 2023/4”.

Since the departure of the mallard and her ducklings, the garden has been reopened.

The Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology has been approached for comment.