Conservation organisations across Britain are seriously concerned about the plight of Barn Owls. The owls are highly dependent on small mammals for prey, particularly field voles and the flooded and sodden fields have had a dramatic impact on the population levels of both voles and Barn Owls.
Cam Valley Wildlife Group is a small, independent conservation group covering Norton Radstock and surrounding villages, where we have been running a conservation project for twenty years. In 1994, Barn Owls were believed to be extinct as a breeding species in the county that was Avon. Since then, the group has been working with farmers and landowners to supply and erect nest boxes in barns situated in areas of suitable habitat. The project soon began to show results and by 2004, the population had increased, with group members monitoring around ten nesting pairs with an average of 27 chicks each year through until 2011.
In 2012, there was a surprising and dramatic increase and the group monitored 21 nest sites where we counted a total of 42 chicks. The situation was looking very healthy. However, in 2013, the heavy rainfall in March to May had a dramatic impact on the population right across the country. In the Cam Valley area, the owls returned to their regular nets sites ready to breed, but found the sodden ground had killed off much of their food prey. In addition, they could not get out hunting in the heavy rain. Normally they would be laying eggs in late March, with chicks hatching in late April. Through that period, the female would normally be in the nest brooding the eggs and chicks while the male brought in the food right through to June. However, food was so scarce that pairs were seen out hunting mid-day, even in the rain, so desperate they were for food. Most had to give up. Some pairs abandoned their nest site to return to their separate winter roosts. Others hung around in the forlorn hope they could breed later. By the time the nest sites had been inspected, it became apparent that there had only been three successful pairs and we were only able to count four chicks – a disaster that was replicated across the country.
The 2014 season will soon be starting and we are anxious to give the owls every assistance we can to re-establish, especially given the further extended spell of heavy rainfall, so there is much work to be done. Thanks to the network of over 100 farmers and other landowners we have built up, there are already 143 potential nest sites on our database. These are mainly nest boxes, but they include other sites in tree cavities and a variety of buildings. We have another fifteen boxes ready to erect, free of charge in suitable barns and we will be delighted to hear from anyone who may be able to house one of these. The boxes will need to be installed and we are looking for volunteers to help us erect them once the new sites are agreed.
In April, we need volunteers to help with our 2014 survey to find out which sites are occupied, so that we can monitor them and then later count the chicks. Full training and support will be provided. This work is carried out around sunset. It offers volunteers the opportunity to not only have the chance to watch Barn Owls, but also to enjoy the wealth of other evening and nocturnal wildlife and the beautiful local countryside in often otherwise inaccessible places.
Please bear in mind that it is illegal to disturb nesting Barn Owls without a Natural England licence. This will be provided to volunteers where necessary. Anyone who would like to find out more can contact André Fournier, on: 01761 418153, who would also like to hear reports of any Barn Owls seen within five miles of Norton Radstock.