Barn owl project hailed a success

This year there have been six occupied nest boxes around Grizedale Forest, where there had been no more than two boxes occupied over the last 15 years.

The much-loved countryside bird is a protected species under the Wildlife and Countryside Act and has been in decline in Britain during the last 15 years due to increased use of pesticides and a reduction in the number of derelict buildings.

The project, which is a joint venture between the Forestry Commission and the World Owl Trust at Muncaster Castle and is funded by the Tourism and Conservation Partnership, was launched to identify suitable new habitat for barn owls and build new nest boxes for them to breed in.

Monitoring owl numbers can be useful in helping the Forestry Commission pick up on potential threats to different species at the earliest possible stage and gives forest managers time to respond to their needs effectively. This can include setting up exclusion zones, which help to avoid unnecessary disturbance to the owls from people and predators.

Iain Yoxall, Wildlife Ranger at Grizedale, said: “To see such an upturn in the number of nesting barn owls since we launched the conservation project is great news.

“Numbers of nesting owls in the area have been stable for a long period of time, so to suddenly see them jump is a great reward for the people who have dedicated time and effort to the project.”

Children from Hawkshead Primary School and Levens Valley Primary School will take part in an education day in The Yan Building at the Grizedale Forest Visitor Centre this month and will learn all about the barn owls and the project.

Hilary Lange, UK Conservation Officer for the World Owl Trust, said it was hoped that local land owners would show an interest in the project and would be willing to manage their land sympathetically for barn owls by putting up a box and providing a secure nest site.