But the old and dilapidated building needs to be replaced, according to the Bird Shelter. They are dependent on the owner for maintenance: the municipality of Utrecht. It would have done too little for a long time. A new building could be built at the same location, but the Bird Shelter would prefer to move a bit. “We now have a bit of a strange place, in the middle of the park,” explains Jaap van Dijk, the chairman of the Bird Shelter. “It’s quite narrow and deep, so we’re always in the way.”