The Suffolk Community Barn Owl Project aims to:
Erect over 500 barn owl boxes in Suffolk by 2010
Increase the number of barn owls in Suffolk
Advise landowners on habitat management for barn owls
Increase awareness of the barn owl
Monitor barn owl populations
The barn owl
Barn owls are the most loved of all British birds. Once a familiar sight around villages, they have traditionally been encouraged by farmers as they prey on voles, mice, and young rats. Rough grassy areas, field edges and water courses are ideal hunting habitat.
Under threat
Since the 1930’s barn owls have declined markedly. In Suffolk the present population has been estimated at only 100-125 pairs out of a national total of about 4,000 pairs and the north-east of the county is their stronghold. Their decline has been due to the loss of habitat and nest sites. Hollow trees have reduced in number following Dutch elm disease and other causes, and barns have been sealed up or converted as dwellings.
The project
There is evidence that the decline has been halted in recent years in Suffolk and that barn owl numbers are recovering. This may be due in part to new environmental schemes taken up by farmers, including leaving grassy margins around arable fields which encourages voles and other prey.
As the population recovers, the provision of nest boxes is relieving competition for the few remaining natural nest sites. Owls take readily to properly sited boxes. The Suffolk Barn Owl Project aims to erect over 500 barn owl boxes in suitable locations. The project involves the whole community; parish councils can play a leading role; farmers and land owners are being consulted on the siting of nest boxes; and schools, community groups and others with an interest in wildlife can contribute and benefit.
Put up an owl box
Specially designed boxes for trees or inside barns are made for the project by local disability groups. Only sustainable timber or waste materials are used.
You can buy a box (or two) for your own land - or adopt one of our boxes (see details overleaf). Alternatively if you would prefer to make your own – we can give you designs and advice.
Monitoring
We keep tabs on our barn owls by monitoring the nest sites and ringing the chicks to study dispersal, longevity and causes of mortality. The data is sent to the British Trust for Ornithology where it contributes to the regional and national picture of the barn owl’s status. The latest results will be available on our website.
Adopt a box
For a project as big as this to succeed, we needed to raise a lot of money. It costs around £100 to manufacture, deliver and fix a Barn Owl box, but there are additional costs for future monitoring and maintenance. To cover the latter, we instigated an “Adopt-a-box” fundraising scheme and this has proved to be extremely popular. Dedicating a Barn Owl home to someone you love is one of the most thoughtful presents you can give. It is perfect for a wedding, christening, anniversary or an in memoriam gift. You can help the project by donating a minimum of £20 per annum, which can be enhanced further if you are able to Gift Aid your donation.
Tell us about it!
If you already have owls that are nesting, roosting or feeding and wish to be involved in the project, please contact us.
Seen a barn owl?
Please send in your records via this website or to Suffolk Wildlife Trust. This will help us, with the agreement of landowners, to provide boxes in the best places for barn owls.
