Little Green Space

LITTLE GREEN SPACE

Originally published in the Peak Advertiser on 21 April 2008

There is a tawny owl nesting in the large ash tree in the top meadow, and the classic, tremulous "hoo-hoo-hooo" sound of its call, echoed by another owl across the fields, is one of the joys of living here.

I’ve been on the look-out for the owl since moving here ten years ago, and was thrilled one still, summer’s evening last year to finally get a glimpse of it take flight across the meadow.

Rare Sight

Another sight I would really love to see locally is the barn owl. With its silent flight and ghostly white silhouette it must be one of Britain’s most magical birds.

However, seeing one is becoming less and less likely. Once widespread in the Peak District, the barn owl is now becoming increasingly rare in the area.

This follows a national trend. Barn owls have suffered badly in recent years, with a decrease in their population of at least 70%.

And the thing is, all of the reasons for this decline are caused by human activity. Barn owls are finding it harder and harder to find places to nest, as old barns are pulled down or renovated to provide housing for humans. Intensive farming has led to a loss of foraging habitat, and extreme weather conditions created by climate change are also leading to starvation for many of these birds.

So all in all, things are looking bleak for the barn owl.

We are trying to encourage barn owls to Hackney Leys by erecting nesting boxes and continuing to maintain the wild hay meadow habitat that is so vital for the survival of the barn owl. The large ash trees are ideal for barn owl boxes, and the long tussocky grass is a great habitat for voles - the barn owl's favourite meal.

We bought our first barn owl nest box from one of the Peak Advertiser’s advertisers, Ladygrove Feeds of Two Dales (01629 733342). They stock a good range of nesting boxes, feeders and wild bird food.

And so our first barn owl nest box is up and has hopefully been spotted by an owl on a fly-by. And if not, perhaps we’ll provide a home for a family of jackdaws!

If you are interested in attracting barn owls to land near you, there follows a bit of advice from Ken Dykes, Ornithology Advisor for Little Green Space.

Penny at Little Green Space

Room for an Owl?

You own some land, you’d love to see barn owls take up residence but you’ve no barn! Don’t despair, they’re not that fussy.

But first, have you the right sort of land to be good barn owl habitat?

Rough grassland (not grazed pasture) with tussocky grass and a good ‘thatch’ in the bottom will be the perfect home for field voles. Barn owls adore field voles.

Wild flower and hay meadows, overgrown hedgerows, banks, young tree plantations and woodland edges all provide good hunting grounds.

Estimates of acreage required by a pair of breeding barn owls can vary—up to 100 acres—but you don’t have to own it all! As long as there are similar areas and plenty of rough field margins or woodland edges within a couple of miles, all should be well.

Now we come to the barn.

Well, obviously if you have an old disused (or not too frequently or noisily used) building on the land, you’re nearly there. Remember that the owls will need 24/7 access and that it will be infinitely more attractive if fitted with an interior nesting/roosting box.

No barn?

A good, big tree is a splendid alternative but it will need a special nest box, either fitted between the branches or fixed, well out of human reach, on the trunk.

There should be a clear ‘flight path’ to the entrance hole.

If you have no suitable tree you could erect a pole for your nesting box. But don’t go fixing a box to an electricity or telephone pole without express written permission!

It is best to have your nest box erected before the end of March to give owls a chance to find it, check it out and take possession. But although March has gone for this year, it's still worthwhile - there is a good chance that barn owls will use your box as a roosting site as they need several places to roost within their territory.

Don’t forget that a box intended for barn owls may not necessarily be adopted by barn owls and you shouldn’t give a hoot if it is claimed by tawny owls, little owls, kestrels or even jackdaws. They all need somewhere to live.

Try erecting another owl box on another tree a hundred yards away - or even several more boxes if you have enough space and enough trees!

For more information about barn owls visit The Barn Owl Trust at www.barnowltrust.org.uk or telephone 01364 653026.

Happy owling!

Ken Dykes, Ornithology Advisor for Little Green Space