GUESTS, golfers and staff at a North-East hotel have been joined by some feathered friends making their home in its 375 acres of grounds.

A project launched between the River Tees Rediscovered Landscape Partnership and Rockliffe Hall, in Hurworth, near Darlington, has seen a variety of birds take up residence on site.

Around 36 bird nest boxes have been installed across the grounds of Rockliffe Hall, attracting birds and other wildlife, including bats, butterflies and dragonflies.

Two large boxes for tawny owls have been occupied, with three owl chicks being successfully reared, as well as a stock dove raising two chicks.

Smaller boxes have been taken over by starlings, blue tits and great tits.

Phil Mennell, Rockliffe Hall's head gardener, said: “It is hoped the partnership will grow and sites will be found for more boxes, aiming to bring a greater variety of birds into the area.”