Ways you can help us to secure a better future for Suffolk’s barn owl:
Manage land for barn owl food & install nest boxes - we provide free advice on how you can help in this way
Adopt a barn owl nest box (gift) or donate to the Suffolk Community Barn Owl Project
Have you seen a barn owl? Let us know
Suffolk Community Barn Owl Project
The Suffolk Community Barn Owl Project is a joint project between
Suffolk Wildlife Trust and Suffolk Ornithologists' Group
The Suffolk Community Barn Owl Project aims to:
Create nesting opportunities for Suffolk's barn owl
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.jpg)
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 below). Alternatively if you would prefer to make your own – we can give you designs and advice.
We are happy to advise on the suitability of a site for a barn owl nest box. Installing a barn owl nest box is hazardous and so the project uses a qualified tree surgeon. If you do install your own nest box please let us know so that we may send a licensed Monitor to check your box for occupants.
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.
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.
Donate to the project
Alternatively, you can donate funds directly to the Suffolk Community Barn Owl Project.
Seen a barn owl?
Please send in your records to Suffolk Wildlife Trust. This will help us, with the agreement of landowners, to provide boxes in the best places for barn owls.
Click here to read an introduction to the project by its founder Steve Piotrowski
Click hereto download the latest edition of Barn Owl News
Click here to find out about winning the Suffolk Creating the Greenest County Award 2010
Click hereto see the Barn Owl Factsheet
Header image: Barn owl by Darryl Hicks
Barn owl 'angel' by Paul Edwards
Barn owl in the snow by Mike Rae
