Excited children from Willows farm in London Colney had a hoot when they came face to face with a real life owl on Friday to celebrate National Nest Box Week.

The special treat for children at Willows Day Nursery and Pre-School marks the start of fun and educational activities, where children got the opportunity to make their their own nest boxes and bird feeders for the nursery garden, as well as making chocolate nests to share with their families.

St Albans & Harpenden Review:

Oliver, 4, and Cadence, 3, with their nest box

Organised by the British Trust for Ornithology, National Nest Box Week takes place from February 14 to  February 21, and aims to teach children how to protect the wildlife.

Louise Hobbs, nursery manager, said: "We are incredibly lucky to have the Willows Farm Village Falconry Centre onsite who will be introducing the children to a real feathered friends.

"We are looking forward to building our Nest Boxes as well.  You never know, at some point in the future we may be welcoming baby birds to the Nursery Garden."