Issue Number 39 - SpringSpring 20082008 FEEDBACK Waterleat, Ashburton, Devon TQ13 7HU - (01364) 653026 - www.barnowltrust.org.uk Reg Charity: No 299 835

International Issue Barn Owl MBE

r e p a p d e l c y c e r n o d e t n i r P FEEDBACK 39 - SPRING 2008 THE BARN OWL TRUST - CONSERVING -1T-HE BARN OWL AND ITS ENVIRONMENT Welcome to Feedback Welcome to an International issue of Barn Owl breeding sites in Cheshire in 2007 of photographs. Of course the BOT’s own Feedback where you have the opportunity to with a total of 651 confirmed young. This site will give you the latest news, information, hear from groups and individuals around the compares to 36 breeding pairs and 96 tips for recycling, links, pictures and much, world involved in conserving and studying young recorded in 2006. They have 864 much more so add it to your favourites and these amazing birds. Following our nestboxes installed - well done Cheshire. call in regularly: www.barnowltrust.org.uk attendance at the World Owl Conference in Holland last year (page 5) we invited some On our front cover is a photograph from Amir In this issue of Feedback we bring you the of the other participants to share news of Ezer (Israel) which we couldn’t resist sharing latest BOT news and we have a very their work and their perspectives with you - with you. The inset features the MBE exciting update on the wildlife refuge (page pages 6 -12. We hope you will enjoy reading (Member of the British Empire) emblem 5) built in 2006. On page 4 Julie reports our their pieces as much as we did and awarded to David (page 3) in December. He Bird News and the latest on the ‘Heligan appreciate how good their English is. accepted it on behalf of everyone involved Hooligan’. There is news on the comings with the Trust and its work, so we thought and goings at the Trust on page 14 and Whilst most European Barn Owl populations everyone should get a good look at it; most events and supporters news on pages 13 are experiencing similar problems to us, of us had never seen one before. and 15 respectively - we hope you might be both Israel and the Malaysia Peninsular Congratulations to everyone who has able to join in with something to help us have booming populations and an amazing helped; it really is a shared award. celebrate our 20th Anniversary this year. ‘take-up’ rate for their nestboxes. In a recent email Motti Charter (Israel) says, “We added For those of you who use the Internet there We are holding our Annual Walk and Picnic 30 Barn Owl and 32 kestrel boxes on poles are several web addresses included that we in June and fervently hope for better weather over the last two days. Tomorrow we will recommend a look at. If you want to find out than last year. We are also having a add another 10 Barn Owl boxes on trees.”! what it’s like to volunteer for a Barn Owl Supporters Day in July (page 3) to celebrate conservation group in Hungary check out our 20th Birthday and it would be great to On the UK front - Thank you to Bernard the link on page 12 and if, like us, you found share these events with you but, if you are Wright of Broxton Barn Owl Group for letting the Little Owl picture on page 11 fascinating, too far away, we’d still like to invite you to us know that there were 156 successful visit André’s website for an amazing range celebrate this incredible milestone - see page 15.

In this Issue... The next issue of Feedback will be our 40th and we are planning a bumper edition to record our anniversary so don’t forget to Welcome to Feedback 2 send us your news and photos! In the Barn Owl Trust News 3 meantime we hope you enjoy this issue and that it encourages you to do your bit for Bird News 4 conservation. Maybe it helps to hear from ‘Hannibal’ the Heligan Hooligan 4 people all over the world working to More Barn Owl Trust News 5 conserve Barn Owls and other wildlife. Czech Republic - Sova pálená 6 Together we can really make a world of difference. Thank you for your support. Belgium - Kerkuil 7 Malaysia - Jampuk Putih 8 Eds. Frances & Sandra Portugal - Coruja-das-torres 9 Israel - Tenshemet 10 Holland - Kerkuil 11 Join us for a Germany - Schleirule 12 Bracken Bashing Day Hungarian Trip 12 on BOT Info 13 Saturday 5th July Team News 14 10.00am - 4.00pm Supporters News 15

Thanks and Things 16 This is an opportunity to see the Tail Piece 16 Lennon Legacy Project field and

Cover Photo: Amir Ezer help us to control the bracken.

Inset: Pictures 1 & 3 BOT library, 2 British Ceremonial Arts Ltd We provide gloves and big sticks. Feedback is produced for the Friends of the Barn Owl Trust You need to bring suitable clothing e.g. by staff and volunteers. sunhats and a packed lunch

Many thanks to everyone who provided words and pictures for this issue. Editorial team: Frances Ramsden and Sandra Reardon. It’s a fun day and really helps to control the bracken Copy date for issue No 40 is Monday 18 August Places are limited so please phone Send your contributions - news, letters, pictures and information to: the office or email us if you are Feedback, Barn Owl Trust, Waterleat, Ashburton, Devon TQ13 7HU interested in coming along. Email: [email protected] Website: www.barnowltrust.org.uk 01364 653026

FEEDBACK 39 - SPRING 2008 -2- BOT News An Inviitation to our 20th Birthday

This year the Barn Owl Trust celebrates 20 years as a registered charity. Although the work of the Trust began back in 1985 and the Trust’s Deed is dated 25th December 1987, the date recognised as our ‘official birthday’ is 28th July as this was when we received our charity number. What a 20 years……. None of us involved back then had any idea how things would develop, how much we would achieve and how many wonderful people would get involved and support us. Who knows what the next 20 years will bring?

To mark the occasion we are inviting you to celebrate our birthday with your friends and neighbours. We hope that you might hold an event: a coffee morning, dinner party or something else to raise funds and awareness of the Trust and its work. If you are interested please ask for our Party Pack or talk to Caroline on 01364 653026. Photo: British Ceremonial Arts Ltd.

We are celebrating with a Supporters’ Day on David meets the Queen Saturday 12 July and inviting you to come and visit the Lennon Legacy Project Field. On December the 11th BOT Head of Trust’. He was accompanied by his mum Ida, We held our first Supporters’ Day in July Conservation David Ramsden went to his mother-in-law Beryl and his wife Frances. 2005, it was a great success. Since then Buckingham Palace for his Investiture. David accepted his award on behalf of we’ve built new hedge banks, created the David was one of 94 people receiving everyone involved with the Trust and its ponds and begun work on the Forde Orchard awards on the day. His MBE was presented achievements. He said, “It was an amazing site with the aim of eventually replanting it as by the Queen for ‘services to the Barn Owl day and an incredible experience”. q an orchard. A Legacy for Conservation On Supporters’ Day there will be a short presentation to explain the objectives of the LLP and you will see the field as it was when With expenditure we bought it and see the changes month by outstripping our income month. Then there will be an opportunity to yet again, we had visit our workplace and take a guided walk predicted a funding deficit around the field to admire the wildlife at first for the third year in a row. hand. Please note: the walk will be Now, thanks to a approximately one hour and the site is an significant legacy from upland field with uneven terrain. We can’t Terence Noel Hughes, promise that you will see Barn Owls but you we should end the will get to see conservation in action and gain financial year with some an insight into the work of the BOT as well as funds towards future seeing the most wonderful views from the top work. of the hill. You can bring along a packed lunch and we will provide refreshments and Legacy income is hopefully cake! increasingly important for the Trust because of the **Booking is essential; because of the difficulty in obtaining logistics involved we are only able to cope grants for our general with a small percentage of our supporters. All conservation work and visitors will be brought in by mini-bus from information and advice The creation of the stone bank in Forde Orchard will provide a new Ashburton, so if you would like to join us on service. In fact, since the habitat for reptiles, insects and plants Photo: Matthew Twiggs this memorable day we suggest that you get Vivien Lennon legacy in in touch as soon as possible to avoid 2001, which enabled us to buy the LLP field, place in the LLP field. The creation of 230 disappointment. the only years when we haven’t had a deficit metres of new hedge bank and 120 metres of We look forward to introducing you to the have been due to legacies. With legacy stone faced bank will provide a diverse habitat Lennon Legacy Project. income we always like to do something really for wildlife for years to come. Hopefully permanent so some of Terence’s gift will help Terence Hughes would have been pleased to (**Advance bookings only) q towards the capital works currently taking know that his gift will help with this project. q

-3- FEEDBACK 39 - SPRING 2008 Bird News We have been quite busy treating wild owl another juvenile Barn Owl is awaiting the I shall not reveal his/her identity, suffice to casualties here at the Trust. Three Tawny return of the mobile aviary for release later in say that owls well at time of going to press!!! Owls were brought in over the Christmas the year. break. One had suffered an injury to its Nest Boxing eye – Tawny Owls have very large eyes We received a Tawny Owl that had been We have been very busy with nest boxing which are susceptible to injury. Unfortunately found trapped in a boiler flue! It was only trips during the autumn and winter months. we think this owl is now blind in one eye and discovered when the boiler stopped working There is only a relatively small window when has little or no vision in the other so we need and someone checked the flue! This bird this activity can take place at occupied sites; to be careful to ensure that he is able to find was not surprisingly underweight and after a getting the nest boxes in place before the the food we put out for him. He will spend short period at the Trust it reached a healthy birds begin to think about breeding. We still the rest of his days peacefully here at the weight and was taken back to the finding have a very full schedule of visits but It is Trust in our disabled owl aviary. The other place to be released. Just as the bird was immensely satisfying to be providing wild two Tawnies will hopefully be released later taking flight an almighty ‘TWOOOO’ was Barn Owls with really safe nesting places. in the year with a supported release method. heard close by, it would be nice to think that All three owls were thought to be victims of this was her mate heralding her return! What a fine bird!!! road traffic accidents. After visiting a local school presenting ‘The Health checks Wings of Change’ story we were delighted Unfortunately we had a fallen nestling Barn Harry and I gave all the birds here at the that it featured in a local newspaper. At the Owl that did not survive due to emaciation Trust their annual health check. This end of the story, Baley our resident Barn and a Tawny Owl with such a severe injury, involved trimming their beaks and talons, Owl makes an appearance which is always probably sustained 10+ days previously, that weighing and worming them and giving anti- the highlight of the visit. I just wanted to the only humane thing to do was for it to be parasite treatment. They all passed with quote a few lines from the press put to sleep by the vet. flying colours. One of the tawnies had a release……. reputation for being a ‘bit of a handfull’ but ‘Ms Matthews introduced Baiey and gave Two Barn Owls, last year’s nestlings that I’m pleased to report that he was the perfect the youngsters the opportunity to look at her were unable to be returned to their nests, gentleman, and took his ‘medicine’ in a very plumage and watch her in flight’. So all my are currently undergoing a supported dignified manner. preening and practice flights paid off then! release, following the same process as the As a direct result of reading this article a one used at Heligan. They are in the mobile One of the Barn Owls was believed to be member of the public became a Friend of aviary in an area that has ideal Barn Owl causing quite a ruckus in one of the aviaries the Trust. habitat surrounding it and we will release so the ‘trouble maker’ was placed in a Julie Matthews them when the weather improves. Yet different aviary, and not one to name names Assistant Conservation Officer ‘H‘Hanniball’’ ththe HHeligligan Hooligan

We are now able to bring you further news of Hannibal spent two weeks in the mobile Hannibal has been sighted several times Hannibal the Heligan Hooligan, watched by aviary being fed and getting used to his since and Lisa is still putting some food out in millions of Springwatch viewers consuming surroundings whilst we waited for a period an alternative box. The latest news is that he his siblings in the nest. He then suffered a of good weather. Finally the conditions were was actually seen taking food to the nestbox broken leg which healed crookedly so we right and the top of the aviary was raised one where he hatched last year. had to catch him up and take him to the evening at dusk - he was free! veterinary hospital where the bone was Another successful release! q rebroken and pinned. He spent some time The following recuperating at the Trust. After a three month evening food was rehabilitation period it was decided that he placed in the aviary was fit to be returned to Heligan. and the next morning it was gone. The In November last year, with Hannibal Barn Owl was contained in a pet carrier and the mobile coming back for food aviary hitched to the back of the Ranger, and the feeding I headed off to Heligan. We were met by regime over the past Lisa Phillips and Luke Sanger of Eco-watch two weeks had Wildlife Surveillance who had selected a enabled him to suitable site for the mobile aviary: a young establish a pattern of orchard with rough grassland. The ‘return for food’. This surrounding fields were sown with gave him time to sunflowers for wild bird cover; at the bottom learn to hunt for his of the field was a small stream with marshy own food whilst still banks either side and in the distance a being supported. group of uninhabited buildings with a very attractive (to a Barn Owl’s eye!) looking Food was finally barn. Further afield the habitat was suitable withheld and Barn Owl hunting ground with rough, eventually the mobile tussocky grass that could support a healthy aviary was brought population of the Barn Owl’s preferred prey, back to Waterleat for the field vole. the next release. The mobile aviary arrives at Heligan Photo: Julie Matthews FEEDBACK 39 - SPRING 2008 -4- More BOT News World Owl Conference

‘Owls, Ambassadors for the Protection of presented but a huge range of poster Nature In their Changing Landscapes’ presentations to be read and an endless supply of new faces to meet. We’ve never The 4th World Owl heard so many languages spoken and our Conference was held rudimentary French and Spanish came in in Groningen in The useful. Fortunately for us, English was the Netherlands and with official conference language. This did a little help from FlyBe however present a huge challenge to many and an impressive of the attendees, some of whom had a railway system really hard time presenting in English; we Frances and I arrived ended up feeling full of admiration for on a cold, wet and everyone’s linguistic efforts. Coffee breaks foggy evening ready and lunchtimes were impressive! Being an for the conference. owl enthusiast anywhere in the world is I had been invited to something of a novelty so spending five present two papers, days with well over a hundred people who Refuge Success one on Barn Owls and talked of almost nothing but owls was a real Major Roads and a buzz. In December we visited the stone wildlife completely new one refuge (of Bill Bailey fame!) built in the on the subject of Barn As well as learning loads about different Autumn of 2006 and were delighted to find a Owl nestbox designs, species of owls it was a great opportunity to pair of Barn Owls roosting in the nest box. and I was full of meet people we had previously trepidation. corresponded with - putting faces to There were a total of 82 Barn Owl pellets in names, and to make new contacts from the box! A sign that the pair were using the The venue - Martini different parts of the world. We look forward purpose built nest box to roost in regularly - Plaza - was a huge modern facility in a to sharing information and working together here’s hoping that the next news to impart will totally urban setting and we felt a million in the future. be that they are using it as a nesting site – so miles from home. After a short walk from fingers crossed and we’ll keep you posted! the hotel we stepped into a room FULL of The final day of the World Owl Conference There were also Little Owl pellets and owl people ALL talking about owls. After an included news of declining Burrowing Owls feathers and Kestrel pellets in their respective introduction by David Johnson (USA) and in Canada and the USA, Barn and Little boxes, clever birds! We also found bat James Duncan (Canada) we settled into a Owl work in the Czech Republic, satellite droppings and over-wintering butterflies, a whole day of Owl Survey and Monitoring tracking of Eagle Owls in the Alps, high great success. q with presentations by Flemish, Serbian, PCB levels found in Eagle Owls in The British, Canadian, Brazilian and Syrian Netherlands, Eagle Owl decline in India, Web News attendees. Altogether there were 139 Barn Owls being used as biological pest registered participants from over thirty control in Israel, Ural Owl re-introduction in The website continues to be a success, with countries. As we are so involved in Barn Bavaria, the latest news on owl phylogeny over 1,000 visitors per day. It has become an Owl surveys we found it fascinating and (the re-classification of owls based on DNA essential tool for staff allowing the team to learned loads about other survey analysis) from Michael Wink (Heidelberg direct people to the extensive information, techniques, particularly ‘playback’. This University) and David’s new presentation pictures, downloads and leaflets which involves surveyors armed with ‘Criteria for the Evaluation of Barn Owl nest speeds up enquiries and allows the loudspeakers playing owl call recordings box designs’. conservation team to dedicate more hours to and counting the responses from wild owls. practical work. Following our trip to the World This method is particularly useful with Those who build and erect boxes often Owl Conference and David’s presentation territorial forest-dwelling owls which are very don’t realise that the nestbox designs they entitled, 'Criteria for the Evaluation of Barn vocal and responsive (like Tawny Owls). are using can cause unnecessary mortality Owl Nestbox Designs' we have added a new Unfortunately it’s not a method that works and trying to get this message across page entitled How to choose the best nestbox well with Barn Owls. without upsetting people is rather tricky. design. Fortunately the presentation went down well Day two started with Dr Iain Taylor’s plenary and stimulated lots of questions both in the We have also updated our Pellet Analysis talk, ‘Do owls follow the rules?’ - absolutely lecture theatre and during the breaks. slideshow to include Black Rat pictures. brilliant. Then it was the owls of Mongolia, Our Owl Aid Gifts now have their own page Ural Owls in Finland, Spotted Owlets in When published, the proceedings of the making it even easier to purchase either India, Scops Owls in Slovenia, Short-eared World Owl Conference will include papers online or by post. These make excellent Owls in Russia, and Mackinders Eagle and summaries arising from all the environmentally friendly gifts, ideal for Owls in Kenya. Then my talk, ‘Barn Owls presentations given. The criteria for birthdays and other special occasions. and Major Roads – Results of a 15-year evaluation of nestbox designs now feature Keep an eye on our ‘LLP news’ for the latest study in Great Britain’. Fortunately it went in a new page on our website – just follow news from the ‘field’, our ‘Wants List’, ‘Events’ well (what a relief), stimulated some good the link from the page ‘Getting the best and ‘Volunteering’ pages as these are questions, and global awareness of the nestbox for your site’. continually updated and there will be new Barn Owl Trust took its first leap. information leaflets in 2008 too.

Every day of the conference was packed David Ramsden Harriet Davies full of interesting stuff, not only the papers Head of Conservation Support Officer

-5- FEEDBACK 39 - SPRING 2008 Czech Republic - Sova pálená dilapidated outbuildings of the cooperatives, the fact that Barn Owls start nesting primarily Barn Owls traditionally nest in church spires. in the second part of April, first nestbox During the time of socialism, many churches checks are carried out in mid-June. The and sacred buildings were intentionally nestlings’ age is determined according to the neglected for ideological reasons and thus length of their wings and their weight is also Barn Owls found ideal nesting conditions in taken. Every year, some of the nestboxes their church spires. However, the change of (mainly in churches) are occupied by regime in 1989 initiated a gradual restoration Common Kestrel (13 nestboxes in 2007) of churches. These renovations included and by feral pigeons (6 in 2007). Apart from security measures preventing wild pigeons installing nestboxes we also engage in the entrance into these areas, which covering up of dangerous water and consequently also prevents Barn Owls from molasses reservoirs, as well as in installing Novosedly, catholic church, first brood of owlets n e sting there. Another significant cause of grates on ventilation shafts and chimneys. Photo: Libor Oplustil the Barn Owl population decrease has been We organize public lectures, publish the lack of safe nesting places. Starting in literature material for public awareness and Legislative Protection the 1990s, nature conservationist volunteers give practical demonstrations of our In accordance with the Czech legislation on made and installed nestboxes. At present fieldwork. Education focused on farm nature protection and conservation, the Barn over 3,200 nestboxes for Barn Owls have workers has proved to be very important and Owl (Sova pálená) is listed in the second been distributed in the territory of the Czech effective. highest protection category (Severely Republic. Endangered Species) and the handling of We cooperate extensively with ornithologists adult and young owls or eggs is subject to Barn Owls in the Breclav District in Europe. At the onset of our conservation authorisation from the state nature protection The Breclav District is situated in the south- programme we received substantial help authorities. The Red List of the Czech eastern part of the Czech Republic, from our French colleagues (H. Baudvin - La Republic lists Barn Owls as endangered. bordering Austria and Slovakia. It is Choue), later we established highly Despite the fact that a major part of the characterized by a warm and sunny climate productive cooperation with our Dutch (J.de country has favourable climatic conditions (its mean annual temperature is 90C) and its Jong - Kerkuilenwerkgroep Nederland) and for the occurrence of Barn Owls, the birds landscape is subject to intensive farming. It German colleagues (AG Eulen). At present have disappeared from a number of sites. covers 1,150 km2 and houses approximately we are collaborating with Birdlife Austria (K. 70 settlements with 125,000 inhabitants. Donnerbaum) in a coordinated approach Population Status The area boasts the longest tradition of within the programme of Barn Owl protection Barn Owl population status has been continuous and systematic Barn Owl in border areas. We believe that with the precisely monitored in the course of general protection in the Czech Republic (since assistance of international collaboration, bird censuses since 1973. The present 1991). These activities have been pursued Barn Owls will be rewarded with suitable population is estimated at 400-500 pairs and by volunteers in coordination with the living conditions in the European cultural regular monitoring reveals a continuous Breclav chapter of the Czech Union for landscape and that future generations will population decrease. The results further Nature Conservation. This area, unlike most also be able to enjoy their presence. prove that the Barn Owl population density other areas in the country, has seen an Libor Oplustil in the Czech Republic is on average 3.0 increase in Barn Owl population; its nesting Breclav chapter of the Czech Union for pairs per 100 km2, with considerable density is one of the highest in the Czech Nature Conservation regional differences (density ranging from Republic. At present, a minimum of 20 pairs [email protected] 0.5-10 pairs/100 km2). A larger part of the nest here regularly, which represents an population (300-400 pairs) nest in average density of 1.6 pairs/100 km2. The nestboxes. highest number of nesting pairs, a total of 37, was monitored in 2002. This represents Reasons for the Population Decrease a population density of 3.1 pairs/100 km2. The key reason can be on account of The number of nesting pairs fluctuates in landscape changes. The present relation to the abundance of available food appearance of the agricultural landscape is and climatic conditions in the winter months. affected by farming methods which were Barn Owls can make use of any of the 120 introduced in the 1950s. Smaller plots were wooden nestboxes whose size is integrated into large stretches of fields and approximately 100 cm x 50 cm. These are individual farmers with small fields were mounted outside the windows of church replaced with agricultural mass production. spires (28%) or in the attics of barns and Virtually every settlement had an agricultural farm warehouses (72%). The nestboxes in cooperative with large cow stalls, piggeries, barns and warehouses have protective fodder depots and other farm buildings. metal plates around the entrance hole to Smaller private farms disappeared and with prevent stone martens from entering. The them did the diversity of the agricultural entrance is approximately 12 x 18 cm in size landscape. Barn Owls and Little Owls began and is situated in the upper part of the to settle in the vast complexes of the nestbox. Inside is a partition dividing the agricultural cooperatives. Despite the nesting space from the entrance. Between changes following the end of the socialist 1991 and 2007 we monitored 254 nestings regime in the 1990s which brought about a in the accessible church spires and installed reorganization of Czech agriculture and the nestboxes: 78% of them first broods and closing of a number of cooperatives, their 22% second ones. The overall nesting grounds still remain the Barn Owl’s key sites. success rate is 89%, the owls bred 1,211 Apart from nesting in the still operating or chicks, 80% of which were ringed. Owing to Libor measuring wing length to determine age of owlet Photo:Frantisek Krause

FEEDBACK 39 - SPRING 2008 -6- Belgium - Kerkuil

the conservationists advised by the scientists, for scientific robustness.

Communication Strategy Since we realize that fundamental conservation goes beyond Barn Owl lovers, we tried to start with ordinary people. So we adopted a communication strategy in life- style magazines, motivating virtually everyone to take Barn and other Owls into account in their day-to-day decisions and actions taken. By broadening our target group, we brought Barn Owls into the lives of plenty of Harry Potter watching people, showing them another way of enjoying owls rather than keeping them as a pet. We believe that this communication strategy will finally have its influence at the decision- taking level, making owl conservation an issue to be dealt with, even by government.

Conclusion Small-scaled landscape in Northern East-Flanders (Belgium) Photo: Ludo Goossens In East-Flanders, we adopted a combined Since the early ‘90s, Natuurpunt Herzele Citizen Science Barn Owl conservation and research (working group of the largest Flemish nature Nest-boxes is one thing, using them as strategy. This Citizen Science yielded conservation organization) started a unique valuable information gathering tools is interesting data collected by volunteer project in the South of the Province of East- another thing. Given the enormous amount conservationists, that could be used directly Flanders (to the south of Ghent). The loamy of work that goes into installing, maintaining, by volunteer scientists, yielding a habitat and hilly region is characterized by small- cleaning them and ringing nestlings, it would suitability map for the entire Province that scaled landscapes and at that time had very be a shame not to exploit the data collected. can assist the prioritization of conservation few Barn Owls (Kerkuil). Therefore a tight co-operation exists initiatives. Furthermore, we adopted a very

between the conservationist and a few broad communication strategy that allows Conservation scientists in the Province of East-Flanders. bringing Barn Owls closer to non-Barn Owl A nest-box project was started which was This resulted in a fruitful study project that people, lowering the barrier towards a more funded by the community of Herzele tried to identify which landscape parameters (35 km²) and resulted in a steady growth of sustainable human behaviour when it comes play an important role in the attraction by the number of available nest-boxes. It took to taking wild owls into account. This way we Barn Owls. This study worked at three six years of waiting before we noted our first hope to establish a better understanding of breeding pair. Year by year we observed an different spatial scales the complexity of Barn Owl conservation and increase in the local population. The i.e. near the nest or breeding site (25 ha), in a more owl-friendly alteration in human settlement of new pairs was mostly in the territory (100 ha) and the active range behaviour. concentric circles from the first occupied (1,256 ha). box, stimulating us to place nest-boxes at Dries Van Nieuwenhuyse, regular distances of 500 metres apart. This Finding out what Barn Owls really like can Natuurpunt Herzele resulted in an increasing population with a be done by looking at which parameters Global Owl Project maximum number of 8 occupied nest-boxes occur in frequently occupied nest-boxes (with 3 breeding pairs) out of 30 available compared to non-frequently or never used Reference: Van Nieuwenhuyse D., J. ones. boxes since 1986. For boxes that were Lefebvre & M. Leysen, 2004. monitored at least 5 times (71 locations in Kwaliteitsbepaling en This project was later on adopted by the total) in that period, we calculated a yearly –voorspelling van Kerkuil Tyto alba-habitat in Regional Landscape of the Flemish occupation ratio. A site was considered Oost-Vlaanderen op verschillende ruimtelijke Ardennes (526 km²), which is active in 13 good if this ratio was equal or above 50%, niveaus. Natuurpunt.Oriolus 70: 11-20. communities, Herzele included. Hence, as bad if it was below 50%. This information more than 150 nest-boxes were installed in can now help us identify which landscape the region, giving a boost to the local parameters are typical for good habitats and population. At the moment, the region which for bad habitats. This allowed us to accounts for 26 Barn Owl pairs, compared to draw a habitat suitability map of the entire only a few known pairs in the early nineties. Province which allows the volunteers to Furthermore, the Regional Landscape is select their conservation priorities. functioning under the umbrella of the Flemish Barn Owl Working Group Comparisons with Little Owls were made too accounting for 56 volunteers in the entire and the similarities and differences of habitat province of East-Flanders (2982 km²) and selection between both species were 86 pairs. The Flemish Barn Owl Working published in scientific journals. Research East Flanders Group has been active for 30 years in was all carried out by volunteer scientists. Flanders. Data was collected in a standardized way by

-7- FEEDBACK 39 - SPRING 2008 Malaysia - Jampuk Putih Chong Leong Puan is currently a PhD nest boxes. In oil palm plantations, an early that Barn Owls are less territorial with student at University of Queensland. His estimate of the predation efficiency of the overlapping hunting ranges. This implies that field study involving Barn Owls is being Barn Owl shows that a breeding pair and they may provide a reliable and practical conducted in Malaysia where he works at their young would consume 1,200-1,500 rats option for rodent pest management in oil Universiti Putra Malaysia and is involved in per year. palm plantations. Predation by a sufficient wildlife studies and teaching of wildlife density of owls should slow the intrinsic rate related courses: The Barn Owls are suspected to have of recovery of the rats. Although some originated from Java or Sumatra and moved promising results have been obtained, total into Peninsular Malaysia in the late 1800s. rat control over large areas using Barn Owls The birds were first considered as a vagrant at highly cost-effective levels has yet to be with only few records made in Peninsular demonstrated before the use of chemical Malaysia. From the discovery of a roosting control can be reduced or eliminated. The pair in the southern part of the peninsula in elimination of poison baiting might also 1968, increasing sightings and nesting were enhance the populations of other reported. From 1976 to 1978, the birds were complementary predators, which would found in oil palm plantations widely further contribute to rodent control. Thus, the throughout the peninsula. Birds began to role of the Barn Owl in controlling rodent proliferate following the increase in rats with populations is of great interest both to the advent of oil palm plantations, reaching plantation management and nature some 15% of the area of Peninsular conservation organisations. Malaysia by the early 1990s. It is now considered a common resident in other Unlike their temperate counterparts, Barn agricultural areas including paddy fields. Owls in the tropics have increased in number and feed exclusively on rodent Unlike those of temperate regions where pests in plantation settings. My study aims to seasonal variation in food supply occurs, the examine the functional and numerical Barn Owls in Malaysia breed year round and responses of Barn Owls to changes in a pair may produce two to three clutches a rodent densities. The abundance of prey year with a high surviving brood size and species allows intensive study of predator hatching success. The recently increased and prey relationships. The functional Photos: Chong Leong Puan population has been shown to have great response of owls to prey will be determined dispersal ability and is suspected to be still by assessing the relationship between prey With the increase in human populations and undergoing a population explosion in the abundance and owls’ feeding rates. The increasing exploitation of natural resources, peninsula. In addition, aggregation numerical response of owls to prey species natural forests are increasingly being behaviour of newly developed populations will be determined by examining the fragmented and converted to other land has also been observed in many plantations. correlation between relative abundances or uses, in particular agricultural plantations. In densities of owls and prey species. The developing countries, forest fragments are However, due to the complexity of the study will help in understanding the continuing to shrink and be replaced by cash predator-prey systems, and logistical interactions of these species in order to crop plantations. Originating in West Africa, difficulties, the study of the relationships improve the use of Barn Owls for biological the oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) has spread between owl numbers, rat densities and control of rats in the plantations. throughout the tropics and is now grown in crop damage is not easy. Despite its Chong Leong Puan 16 or more countries. In Malaysia, oil palm proliferation in oil palm plantations, the role Universiti Putra Malaysia was first introduced as a crop in 1917 and of the Barn Owl as a biological control agent planted on a large scale in the late 1950s remains unclear. At present, many and early 1960s. Currently, it is the largest agricultural plantations still rely heavily on agricultural contributor to the country’s chemical control to minimize the loss caused economy. by rodents. Anticoagulant poisons were introduced in the 1950s in oil palm The expansion of large-scale crop plantations in Malaysia. The target animal monocultures has created an unnatural generally ingests a lethal dose before the environment in which many animals rapidly symptoms of toxicosis develop, which adapt and develop as pests. The most overcomes the problem of poison noticeable case would be the outbreaks of avoidance. However, chemical control may rodents that cause severe loss to agriculture not be the best long-term option as the including oil palms. In addition to production target tends to develop resistance over time. loss, rats also infest new oil palm plantings, As a result, the second-generation damage young palm bases and sometimes anticoagulants, which are more potent were destroy the plants. introduced about thirty years later to control resistant rats. Unfortunately, the process Barn Owls as Biological Control Agents also causes secondary poisoning to non- Biological control of rats in oil palm target animals including Barn Owls. In plantations using Barn Owls has been general, owls only serve as supplementary widely practiced in Malaysia as well as other biological control in conjunction with the developing countries. Due to the abundance already existing system of poison baiting. of prey, owls are expected to increase in number with an increase in the number of Studies involving radio-telemetry indicate FEEDBACK 39 - SPRING 2008 -8- Portugal - Coruja-das-torres Erva. In 2006, the University of Évora also helping in Barn Owl rescues; and CTA- embraced these hypotheses… and so EMFA (soldiers from the Firing Range at TytoTagus arose. Alcochete – Portuguese Air Force) contributed with help (people and logistic) in Inside RipiDurable nest search and monitoring within their The TytoTagus RipiDurable (www.ripidurable.com) was a properties. Project Study three-year project co-financed by the Area Interreg IIIC – South programme (a During 2006-2007 live recaptures were only European Union interregional cooperation possible by spotlight car transects in the programme) joining partners from Portugal, Tagus Estuary: 10 ringed juveniles were Spain, France and Greece. The goal of this identified during transects in the Estuary (ca. project was to contribute to improving know- 385 km total, mean: 20 km per night). All how and overcoming limitations in the marked owls came from the Alcochete development of management strategies for Military Exercise Camp, most likely a result riparian zones taking into account the natural of more intensive searches conducted in this characteristics, the economic potential, and area (with the help of militaries) compared to the importance of these habitats as other locations. The TytoTagus Project started in 2006. The ecological corridors. In this respect, this Tagus Estuary (central Portugal) is where project aimed to contribute to the Business & Biodiversity: Prospects many Barn Owls gather (up to a few rehabilitation and/or restoration of these In 2008 TytoTagus was finally launched as hundred) during post-fledging dispersal, ecosystems. The TytoTagus Project arose an independent project, owing to a Business probably representing a unique scenario in as a specific action proposed by the & Biodiversity Commitment in protocol with Europe. These owls are expected to arrive Portuguese partner, University of Évora, Companhia das Lezírias SA, an important from all the Tagus Basin, a lowland farmland aiming at the use of the Barn Owl as a flag national company with agro-forestry and with open hunting grounds and suitable species in raising awareness about the cattle production activities. This funding will structures for perch and nesting. The Project importance of riparian vegetation to birds. allow for tracking owls with radio-transmitters involves several studies such as marking and explore what happens during the post- nestlings with coloured rings, transects for In 2006 and 2007, 123 Barn Owls from 24 fledging dispersal. A large area of the Tagus monitoring road kills and spotlight transects nests were ringed. Nest sites were mainly Estuary is owned by Companhia das for identifying marked birds. Although an farmhouses and ruins. About 30% of known Lezírias and this company has very good uncommon methodology among owl nest sites became inaccessible to owls relation to local farmers: this is a very studies, spotlight transects have been between 2001 and 2006, either because important partnership and a great step conducted in the Tagus Estuary for about 15 they were destroyed or converted. As a towards the conservation of Barn Owl in the years, along fenced roads in farmland result, a nest-box programme was area. landscape, where large numbers of owls considered, starting with a testing phase can easily be seen perching and hunting. using nest-box models adapted from the Since 2006 the TytoTagus Project has been Barn Owl Trust. The first nest-box was collaborating with the team headed by Before TytoTagus: First Steps erected in 2006, to provide shelter to a brood Professor Alexandre Roulin (University of During 1991-1994, the Barn Owl was of Barn Owls in peril; the nest was over a Lausanne), providing samples for genetic studied in the Nature Reserve of the Tagus hay storage which had to be removed. All analysis. Stronger collaboration is expected Estuary, where a prior study showed a very parent owls and the six owlets adapted very for 2008-2012, both in scientific and high Barn Owl mortality in roads nearby. well to the new home. After the breeding conservation grounds. This study revealed that during the breeding season, six more nest-boxes were erected Inês Roque season owls were scarce whereas in in buildings inside the property of TytoTagus Project autumn their abundance was very high. Companhia das Lezírias. An intensive nest- Portugal Most of the owls occurring in the area were box scheme will be implemented in dispersing first-year individuals that probably 2008-2012. only stayed for short periods. In 2001-2003 another study investigated the Barn Owl Several entities were profoundly population upstream, in areas where involved in the project, from juvenile Barn Owls could be coming from. particular persons to NGOs, from Coruche Municipality is crossed by the schools to local companies; since Sorraia River which flows to the Tagus TytoTagus was only partly financed, precisely in the area of Ponta da Erva. these voluntary contributors were Agricultural lands on the margins of Tagus fundamental! Contributions were and Sorraia form a continuos hunting habitat also given by military institutions. and their fragmented riparian woods can For instance, SEPNA-GNR (Nature possibly provide shelter during Barn Owl and Environmental Protection dispersal. Moreover, there was a high Services – National Republican density of pairs in this area and the fledging Guard) provided help in access to Soldiers from SEPNA-GNR go down a 6 meter hole in period was synchronized with the nest sites with speleologist militaries order to get 4 owlets for ringing. abundance peak of Barn Owls in Ponta da (soldiers with caving expertise) and Photo: Inês Roque -9- FEEDBACK 39 - SPRING 2008 Israel - Tenshemet past the project was carried out by the decline throughout the world but especially farmers themselves, with little scientific apparent in the Middle East. Illegal hunting influence, little analyzing of the breeding of birds of prey is widespread in this region. data and little scientific publication. 90% of Owls are also considered a bad omen by nestboxes were added by the farmers for many Muslims. Thus, an important goal of the purpose of biological pest control of this project is to raise public awareness rodents and only around 10% by about the usefulness of raptors and the conservationists and researchers. By benefits of environmentally friendly monitoring the nest boxes using agricultural practices. standardized methods, information will be gathered in order to increase the efficiency Since 2002, the Jewish Community (nest boxes placement, etc.) of the applied Federation of Cleveland has funded a pest control project. project between Jordan and Israel. As part of this nest boxes were erected for the first In order to expand this project throughout time in Jordan in 2005. Out of the 22 nest Nestboxes are placed in high density Israel and increase the success of and boxes erected a total of 5 breeding attempts Photo: Kobi Meyrom coordination of existing nest boxes, a pilot of were recorded during the 2006 and 2007 a national biological pest control project was breeding seasons. Preliminary studies of the Barn Owls have been used as pest control started during the 2007 breeding season diet of Barn Owls in Irbid, Jordan show that agents of rodents in Israel since 1982. and hopefully a larger scale project will be 91% of Barn Owl prey is made up of During the late 1960s, hundreds of birds of established and implemented during the rodents. Jordanian farmers were initially prey (some threatened and endangered 2008 breeding season. worried about having Barn Owls on their species) were killed throughout Israel from farms, but after the success of the first two secondary poisoning after eating rodents The project is led by the International Center years those farmers who already have the that had been poisoned with rodenticides. for the Study of Bird Migration at Latrun, Tel boxes want more and new farmers are Israel is an important migration route for Aviv University, the Israel Ornithological requesting boxes. The projects in both these birds, with 500 million birds migrating Center, and the Society for the Protection of Jordan and the Palestinian Authority will twice yearly. Nature Israel and has national coordinators expand during the 2008 breeding season as for the farming activities, scientific research, part of US-AID MERC research project in In the 1980s a conservation plan that rodent monitoring and educational activities. collaboration with Israel to determine how reduced the use of rodenticides and used The country was split into multiple regions, the farmers benefit from the raptors birds of prey as part of biological pest control each of which will be under the supervision economically. was devised. Barn Owls nesting boxes were of regional coordinators. Monitoring methods set up in 1982 at Kibbutz Neot Mordechai in include standardized nest box monitoring, Education: the Hula Valley in the hope of creating a ringing of nestlings and adults, rodent Posters and leaflets (written in Arabic and Barn Owl population that could control the monitoring and pellet dissection. The project, Hebrew) have been produced in Israel and rodent populations. After a short time which has limited funds, is funded by the distributed to local farmers, decision makers rodenticides were reintroduced to the fields, Baracha Foundation, and hopefully will and the broader public. Educational killing the Barn Owls and causing the project receive matching funds from the Ministry of campaigns targeting local communities of to be abandoned. Agriculture and Ministry of Environmental the benefits of owls accompany the project. Protection who want to join the project as full As part of the Cleveland project, a poster A year later, Kibbutz Sde-Eliyahu, located in partners. produced in Israel was translated to Arabic the Great Rift Valley, 7 km from the city of for distribution in Jordan. The text had no Beit Shean and 30 km South of the Lake of Most conservation projects for Barn Owls mention of Israel in order to decrease Galilee was chosen as the replacement for place nest boxes over great distances; here possible friction with the local residents. As Neot Mordechai. 14 Barn Owl nesting boxes nest boxes are placed in high density, Barn Owls and Kestrels truly know no and hunting perches were erected in sometimes as close as 30 meters. There are boundaries, they not only solve economic strategic locations in and around the fields even fields that have 20 boxes spread 150 problems but are also bringing peoples and plantations in order to establish a stable meters apart, of which around 50% are together; something that is very needed in Barn Owl population. During the first couple occupied by Barn Owls yearly. For example, the Middle East. of years there were many ups and downs. the region with the most nest boxes, Beit The first nest box design came from Europe Shean Valley, has 300 nest boxes in 90 Motti Charter* and Yossi Leshem and did not provide enough ventilation for km2. During 2002- to 2007, 48% to 74% of *Scientific Coordinator the 40ºC (and hotter) summers of the Beit those nest boxes were occupied (144 to 222 (The Barn Owl nest box scheme in Israel) Shean Valley. However, within a couple of pairs yearly). In addition to nest boxes, charterm@post,tau.ac.il years and after a few improvements to the another 30-40 pairs of Barn Owls breed in nesting box designs, a population of Barn empty structures and date palms within Owls was formed which has thrived. villages so that there can be as many as 260 pairs breeding in 90 km2 yearly. (In the The project is based on the addition of large UK an area this size would normally hold numbers of nest boxes in farmland (typically between three and eleven pairs – Eds.) 200-400 meters between boxes), a decrease in pesticide use, and creating a Cooperation: friendly environment for raptors. After Raptors such as Barn Owls move regularly integrating this project into first organic then between Jordan and the Palestinian non-organic farming practices, other farmers Authority and are at risk of secondary started placing nest boxes in the Valley and poison from hunting there. Though Israel later in other parts of Israel. has extensive laws concerning the use of pesticides, enforcement and regulation is Israel National Project: sorely lacking. The situation in the Currently there are an estimated 1,000 nest Palestinian Authority and in Jordan is boxes divided between 7 main regions in much worse with inadequate laws and Project partners with Motti (holding one of the first Israel, with plans to increase the size of the enforcement. Hunting and poisoning are Barn Owl nestlings to be raised in a nest box in project to other locations in the future. In the significant causes of raptor population Jordan) Photo: Shaul Aviel

FEEDBACK 39 - SPRING 2008 -10- Holland - Kerkuil Groningen is a county in the north of For the volunteers it was an intensive Holland. It is an average county regarding year. All those visits to the breeding the Barn Owl (kerkuil). It is a wide-open pairs, cleaning the nestboxes and country in the clay areas. The farmyards are dealing with dead or wounded young almost the only places where trees and take a lot of time. I myself have done bushes are present. These parts are this for many years on my own, inhabited by Barn Owls in years when the dealing with 50 nestboxes in which field-vole population is at its peak. In other owls breed and now I am chairman years the owls do not breed there. In the of the protection-group. This takes a more soil/sandy parts of the county the lot of time too and luckily I have found presence of Barn Owls is very consistent. some volunteers to help me. It is hard There are enough other species of rodents to find volunteers nowadays. to hunt for; here meadows are surrounded Youngsters are more interested in by bushes and trees. computer games and those who Photos: André Eijkenaar have reached the age that they don’t have to work anymore are afraid of heights he could master! On top of the nesting box or lack the physical strength. the cat looked into it. At that moment one of the adults picked up the cat and immediately Besides protection I like to photograph dropped it. The cat fell on the ground. mammals, birds and owls in particular. I give Unfortunately that was impossible to lectures about 13 times a year and I like to photograph. use my own pictures to illustrate the stories. It’s more lively and that appeals to people. But one photo I want to share with you (see below). Not of a Barn Owl but a Little Owl I have built hides within barns with the (Steenuil). I do a little bit of protection for this permission of farmers. I have restrained owl as well; there are not many left in myself to take no more than 2 pictures a Holland. In my hide I saw one of the adults night. The adults are afraid of the flash and I return with a very heavy prey, it could hardly don’t want to disturb their feeding- stay in the air. To my surprise it was a programme. The rest of the time I just sit and weasel. The Little Owl has been lucky, it watch. On one occasion the male had just could easily have been the prey of the When the field-vole is at its peak the delivered the prey and flew out, at exactly weasel. breeding pairs are about 90, when they are the same time the female arrived with a vole. less abundant about 60. 80% breed in They collided and the vole was lost. This year I have finally finished a web-site of nestboxes. The year 2007 however showed my own. You are welcome to visit it an enormous increase of breeding owls. We The most wonderful thing I witnessed was www.natuurkijker.nl. It is in Dutch but most have counted 148 pairs and likely more will when a cat climbed on top of a nestbox. One of you will recognise the species. be reported. There were 60 pairs breeding of the young had fallen out and I placed a Greetings. for the second time and four pairs even had new box - the original box was so high that I André Eijkenaar a third. The average clutch-size was 4.2 for could not reach it. That night I wanted to be Barn Owl protection in the Netherlands the first, 3.5 for the second and 3.2 for the sure that this youngster was fed by his (Groningen) third brood. This is spectacular especially if parents. So I hid in the tractor and waited. you regard the fact that 2006 was a year of One of the cats found the begging sounds of (André’s website is well worth a visit, there poor field vole abundance. Normally 2008 the young very interesting, this was a height are some wonderful pictures and there is a will become a peak year. It’s hard to imagine link from our site - Eds) that this year will be even better than 2007!

I started to visit the owls in May. On two occasions I found young owls in the boxes that already had reached about 8 weeks. When I went up the ladder an owl flew out of the box, soon followed by a second. ‘Ah’, I thought, ‘there must be eggs when the male is still in the box with the female’. To my surprise I discovered the female on 6 eggs and another two fully- grown owls. I have never seen that before, four fully grown young of the first brood and the female on eggs in the same box. There must have been so many voles that the male could easily raise four young and feed the female and himself! This was a sign for a remarkable year. In another box I found 11 eggs.

-11- FEEDBACK 39 - SPRING 2008 Germany - Schleirule Until 1950 Barn Owls might have bred in protection work and nearly every village in Germany, both in the scientific study. Many of flat and in the hill country (up to 600 metres the groups and individuals above sea level). Frequently even several are working together in pairs might have bred in a village. The birds the ‘German Working could cope with far snow-richer winters than Group for the Protection today, since all barns and other agricultural of Endangered Owls’ or buildings were freely accessible to them at briefly ‘AG Eulen’. The AG that time. Each farm had a storehouse Eulen is an umbrella where grain was stored and one could hear organization for all ‘owl the mice rustle. In many areas there were workers’ and all owl so-called owl holes in the gables of the species. agricultural buildings. Only extremely hard and long winters led to population collapses, Today 9,300-12,000 but after 7-8 years the numbers could breeding pairs are achieve again the old level. estimated to be present in Germany. In the last As in many countries of Western Europe the years like everywhere in Martin Lindner (left) and Dietmar Waeltermann erect a nestbox intensification of the agriculture led to a Europe the number of Photo: Carina Waeltermann population decline. Enormous grassland traffic victims has surfaces were transformed into larger areas increased. This is because of ever more metres above sea level where only 1-20 of arable land, ever more corn was roads, traffic, vehicle speed and as the breeding pairs can be proven in one year. cultivated. New asphalted ways (roads) mouse population in roadside areas There are more kestrels in the nestboxes appeared. The old dirt tracks or farm tracks represent traps for the Barn Owl. than Barn Owls. were now asphalted and this destroyed a good habitat for mice. Also churches were Because in the last 20 years Barn Owls Possibly global warming will improve barred, grilled or trellised against feral have increased they have been removed something in the future, because, unlike the pigeons and rooks. Agricultural buildings recently from the Red Lists of most of the flat country today, the mountain areas in were removed or birds were excluded. Lands of the Federal Republic, which are set Germany have more grassland than in Today Barn Owls can hardly survive the up according to the rules of the IUCN. The former times. winters in upland regions despite less snow question is whether they have increased Martin Lindner in the winters. everywhere or only in the sample areas of German Working Group for the Protection of In the ‘80's conservationists all over the owl conservationist with their nest boxes. Endangered Owls , AG Eulen Germany tried to address the lack of Up until 2007 the farmers in Germany must breeding places; according to rough allow 5% of the arable fields to be fallow. In estimations a minimum 20,000 nest boxes 2007 the government terminated this which Barn Owl Trust were built and erected. Also churches is likely to worsen the food availability for the removed some of their grating. In Germany Barn Owls because fallow fields are good Walk & Picnic we don’t have a trust for Barn Owls like the hunting areas with many mice. In the Sunday 22 June 2008 - 11am start Barn Owl Trust in UK. In Germany many Hochsauerland, my area, there are 90 different groups and individuals erect nestboxes. This is a mountain region 846 u See page 15 for more info

Hungarian Trip

As part of a European Project in 2006 when they attended the coordinated by Ambios Ltd / European Congress of Igomango, David and Frances Conservation Biology. David said, made a flying visit to Hungary in “It was great to be able to help the January to advise on a trainee BOF and Ambios get this project programme with the Hungarian going and we hope it will lead to Barn Owl Foundation. many more opportunities for cooperation in years to come”. Barn Owl populations have been decreasing in Hungary for decades After our visit two trainees from the due to loss of traditional nesting UK spent six weeks working with sites, intensification of agriculture the Federation. John Sutcliffe and and loss of suitable habitats. The Mike Cooke kept an on-line diary Barn Owl Foundation (BOF) (with pictures) of their Hungarian monitors the Barn Owl population experience which can be accessed across Hungary and runs a through our ‘Links to selected sanctuary for injured Barn Owls. international bird websites’. It’s well worth a look, just click Ákos Klein (BOF), Simon Roper & Adam Martin (Ambios) & David Ákos Klein from BOF has visited Gyöngybagolyvédelmi Alapítvány Ramsden (BOT) at the Fogadó a Bagolyho (Owl Hotel) in the Trust twice and David and (Barn Owl Foundation) UK Gyömrő, Hungary Photo: Frances Ramsden Frances spent 10 days in Hungary Trainees’ Diary. q FEEDBACK 39 - SPRING 2008 -12- BOT Info J Saturday 9 August … Dates for your Diary 2008 Awareness day at Churchtown Farm Nature Reserve. There will be guided walks, talks J Wednesday 23 April Includes an optional river crossing by and loads of information and an opportunity Restoring the Balance – Barn Owl Trust talk canoe. Please see our website or phone for to meet representatives of other like-minded and slideshow for the University of the Third details. organisations. Our stand will have a Age at Rydon Hall in Kingsteignton. 2.45pm particular focus on children’s activities, start. J Saturday 5 July (tbc) including mask making and face painting, Bracken Bashing Day. An opportunity to together with sales goods and information J Thursday 15 - Sunday 17 May come and see the Lennon Legacy Project leaflets. Devon County Show. We will have a stand, and help us to control the bracken. We sales goods and be providing information provide gloves and big sticks. You need to J Saturday 6 - Sunday 7 September and conservation advice over the three bring suitable clothing (sunhats and/or Dorset County Show. Come along and days of the show. Please come along and waterproofs) and also a packed lunch. meet members of our conservation team. introduce yourselves; we would love to see Please phone to book a place (10am start). you! J Friday 10 October J Thursday 10 July Restoring the Balance – Barn Owl Trust talk J Sunday 25 May Restoring the Balance – Barn Owl Trust talk and slideshow for the Bishopsteignton ‘Wild Things’ at Killerton House, Broadclyst, and slideshow for the East Coker Garden Club at The Community Centre (the Exeter. We will have a stand with activities Gardening Club at East Coker Hall, East Old School), Bishopsteignton. 7.30pm start. for children, sales goods and information Coker. 7.30pm start. leaflets. Come and enjoy a fun day out and J Tuesday 14 October also learn a little more about what goes on J Saturday 12 July The Barn Owl Trust’s presentation: ‘Lennon behind the scenes at this historic National Happy birthday - Barn Owl Trust - 20th Legacy Project - transforming 26 acres of Trust property . 11am-5pm. Birthday Supporters’ Day. Please phone the intensively grazed sheep pasture into 26 Trust for further information and to book acres of Barn Owl Heaven’ for Sticklepath J Thursday 5 - Saturday 7 June your place as numbers will be limited. Phoenix Group at Sticklepath Village Hall. Royal Cornwall Show. Look out for our 7.45pm start. stand at Wadebridge where we will have J July (date to be confirmed) information, sales goods and conservation Barn Owl Ecology, Surveys & Signs. Held in J Friday 24 October Barn Owl Trust advice on offer. South Devon, BOESS is a one-day training Annual General Celebration—7 for 7.30pm. course for professionals involved in (or Venue to be confirmed. J Sunday 22 June wishing to become involved in) Barn Owl Annual Sponsored Walk and Picnic on the survey work. Numbers are limited so J Wednesday 17 December Flete Estate. Bring a picnic and enjoy a rare booking is essential (course fee £150). To Grand Draw and Quiz Night. Venue in opportunity to walk on this beautiful private apply for a place please email Kelly South Devon to be confirmed - please let estate beside the river Erme in the South Wakeham at [email protected], us know if you are interested in coming Hams, whilst raising funds to help support confirming your name, job title, organisation along. r the work of the Barn Owl Trust. 11am start. and nature of work. Willill HHelplp LLP LLatest In Memoriam South Devon law firm, Kitson Hutchings Solicitors, have teamed up with the Barn Owl Volunteer groups have played a major part in The Trust has received legacies Trust to offer supporters the opportunity of helping progress work in the Lennon Legacy from the estates of the late Project field. The scrub in Forde Orchard helping the Trust fund their vital conservation Terence Noel Hughes, work. was cleared with help from student work Marie Jesty Wright parties from Plymouth University. Some of and the material was chipped and used on the Whenever Kitson Hutchings make a Will for a Guy Stanley Weaver path through Forde Orchard, the rest being Trust supporter, irrespective of whether a used to create a dry hedge along the and donations in memory of legacy is included for the benefit of the Trust, southern boundary fence line. The fence Pam Bishop they will donate 25% of their fee to the Barn wire and straining posts were also removed, Janet Coward Owl Trust. In addition the supporter will be ready for groundworks to commence. Elizabeth Ellett given an opportunity to maximise the donation Gerald Ford by completing a Gift Aid form at no extra cost. EDF Energy volunteers tackled gorse and and

bramble on the slope towards Corner Wood. John Gaymer Kitson Hutchings have offices in Torquay, This was through the Helping Hands Newton Abbot and Exeter and home visits Our grateful thanks and sincere Scheme, which enables staff to volunteer for can be arranged at no extra cost. sympathies go to their families at least two days a year to help support local and friends communities. For further information on making a Will or to make an appointment call Stephen Cole on For current developments with the Forde great outdoors keep an eye on our 01803 202020 or Stephen Craig on 01626 Orchard project and the LLP in general, forthcoming events page or call the office for 203366 and identify yourself as a Trust please take a look at the LLP News pages more information. supporter. on our website http://www.barnowltrust.org. Matthew Twiggs uk and if you relish some hard work in the Assistant Conservation Officer

-13- FEEDBACK 39 - SPRING 2008 Team News Some Goodbyes ……. After two and a half owls), renovated the elderly well loved organised and very ethical in its approach to years at the Trust Harry (Harriet Davies) is tractor; the list goes on…. and on. everything. So far, as well as admin work, I moving on: Thank you Graham for all your hard work on have been on a ‘trip out’ with Julie to site the behalf of the Trust and we wish you all the mobile aviary, helped to feed the owls and “I couldn’t have asked for a better start to my very best in your new employment. had my hands in a bag of owl pellets to pack career in conservation and I am still very them up to send to schools/colleges for grateful to the Trust for taking a chance on And Hello’s:…….. analysis. Thanks to everyone here for being me as an inexperienced graduate. I have Liza Gunning so helpful and friendly and a special thanks learnt an incredible amount in the past two began working for to Kelly”. and a half years as Support Officer and the Trust one day been given the opportunity to develop many a week in CONGRATULATIONS new skills and get involved with a huge December 2007. to Mark and Sonia diversity of tasks within the Trust, too many She is bringing the (nee Seldon) to list. Trust’s legacy Green (you may database up to remember they It has been lovely to get to know everyone speed, talking to were both who adopts the numerous owls and all the solicitors’ offices, previously BOT delightful letters I receive thanking the Trust. sending out our staff) – a baby boy Liza I have very much enjoyed working closely legacy leaflet Photo: Caroline Lewis called Rowan, with the owls, helping with the health checks packs and weighing 7lb 3oz and keeping adoptees up-to-date with the hopefully raising the potential for increased was born in mischief their owls have been getting in to. funding from that area. From February 2008 December. Helping with the new website was very she increased her hours to two days a week Rowan exciting and although there were a few in order to help out in other admin areas. Photo provided teething problems with the webcam I am glad it is now looking fantastic and a great She says, ”I live in Ashburton and have been Volunteer Heather Dutton is currently in her asset to the site. As well as all the admin a stay-at-home mum for most of the past 3rd and final year of university, studying BSc work, I have been fortunate enough to be twenty-two years, apart from a couple of Wildlife Conservation at Plymouth. “I have given the opportunity to get out and about years when I worked as a classroom not been volunteering with the BOT very too; attending BOESS, a day out ringing assistant at a local primary school, and time long, but already my time here has been owlets, carrying out butterfly transects in the spent helping out in the family business. I very enjoyable and varied. I have gone on LLP, helping with have no background at all in conservation or school talks, helped out with admin tasks, conservation team related fields, but I do love animals and the cleaned aviaries, helped with brush clearing, days in the LLP, countryside, and give thanks on a daily basis assisted with feeding birds that have come foster home owl for living in such a beautiful part of the world. into the BOT and I am currently in the health check visits I was born in Plymouth, but I’ve lived in this process of helping to re-design a new aviary and attending a area for twenty-six years and consider leaflet. variety of shows and myself very lucky. I enjoy walking, riding, events – the highlight, reading, cooking and spending time with Volunteering with the Trust will give me of course, Newton friends and family. I’m very happy to be here some added experience on top of working Abbot Christmas with the friendly BOT team and hope I can for the National Trust warden and previously Market dressed as a Harry make a useful contribution to the fantastic working in South Africa and as a marine Barn Owl! Photo: Paddy Reardon work they do”. research assistant in Fiji. When I graduate I hope to be working abroad, either for a I shall certainly miss all the fantastic people I Carole Nicolls has wildlife charity or on a wildlife reserve, and, have worked with and met through the Trust, also joined the team; eventually, I would like to set up my own walks around the LLP, the joy of receiving “I came to help out in reserve. I really enjoy volunteering here”. grants that help the Trust to continue its work the office in and even the chaos of Christmas adoptions! December 2007 and I Heather and Thursday, one of our resident I have an exciting trip to the Philippines lined am still ‘helping’, part- Tawny Owls up where I will be helping to survey time. I have lived in Photo: Julie Matthews Humpback Whales as part of a research Devon for the last 13 programme but after that I hope to continue years and most of that volunteering to get more practical time I have been conservation experience”. working at home. My Carole hobbies are Photo: Caroline Lewis After nearly eighteen months at the Trust gardening, particularly working as a volunteer growing fruit and vegetables, and hand- handyman, Graham building sculptural pieces with clay. The last Banfield has left to take 2 years I have been involved with BTCV, as on paid work. During his a volunteer CO, worked for the Devon time here Graham Furniture Forum and worked with all ages constructed an aviary, creating ‘art’ from recycled materials and helped with mailings, scrap. My dream would be to plant a forest made nestboxes, garden before I am too old to reap some of collected and delivered the benefits! The Barn Owl Trust feels like a various items (including Graham special place to work and I find it very well Photo: Chris Richards

FEEDBACK 39 - SPRING 2008 -14- Supporters News

food or on a boys’ night in for everyone to donate the cost of a pint of beer. If we all do Scarf Success something simple, together we could raise th a substantial amount for the Trust in its 20 Our 2007 ‘Knit a scarf for the Barn Owl Anniversary year. Trust’ project was a great success. We sold 49 of the 50 scarves knitted (yes, there is 20th Anniversary Of course if you want to do something on a still one white and gold scarf left that would ! bigger and grander scale then that is make a wonderful birthday present!). The fantastic too! How about a 20/20 Coffee project raised just over £400 – a great effort Morning (serve 20 cups of coffee in 20 by all our knitters and our supporters who minutes) or a 20/20 Cake stall (sell 20 bought a scarf for Christmas – Thank you! cakes in 20 minutes)? You could have lots A big thank you must also go to Sandra, our Cellebrate Withith UsUs of fun with the 20 theme!! If you would like Office Manager who spent many evenings to hold an event for the Barn Owl Trust’s using her fantastic creative skills to th 20 anniversary year or simply recognise individually hand finish each scarf with th This year will be the 20 Anniversary of the the Trust at one of your social gatherings beads, tassels or crochet. She really did Barn Owl Trust and we would love you to get in touch and we can send you our party give each scarf that special finishing touch! celebrate with us! As our supporters are pack (posters and information). Here are a few of the lovely comments we spread far and wide we felt that one single received ….. event wouldn’t really work … but everybody We will be setting up a page on our website holding their own event would! dedicated to celebrating our “Hello, I recently bought 2 of the volunteer th 20 Anniversary year so knitted scarves from you which were fantastic Whether it be a family barbeque, Sunday send us your pictures and I am hoping you haven't sold out as I lunch, walk with friends, girls’ night out, and emails. We can 20 would like two more!” Kind regards, boys’ night in, coffee morning, club meeting all inspire each other Jeannie ….. make it in recognition of the Barn Owl to do something good 20 “I am delighted with the scarves! They are Trust. It doesn’t have to be complicated. for the Barn Owl Trust th lovely. Well done those volunteers and thank For example, at a barbeque you could ask in its 20 year! you.” that everyone donate a few pounds for their Rachel Wallk Withith UsUs

This year’s sponsored walk will take place on Sunday 22nd June. We have decided to move the date from May to June hoping the sun will shine on us this year! (You may recall the ‘What a washout!’ article in the last issue of Feedback!). This is a unique walk taking in coastal, river, woodland and meadow scenery on the beautiful private Flete walkers. Dogs raising over £100 in Advertise Estate in the South Hams. There is also sponsorship will receive one of our new If you are looking for a novel way to an optional river crossing in a native ‘Gwdihw Dog Balms’ as a thank you gift - promote your business then the American Canoe coordinated by Canoe essential for sore paws after a long walk! sponsored walk provides a range of Adventures. opportunities. From entering a team Obviously it is better for the Barn Owl wearing branded t-shirts to placing an Walkees! Trust to have as many sponsored advert on our ‘Thanks for taking part’ The sponsored walk is one of our two walkers (and dogs!) as possible because leaflet or providing literature to display at main fundraising events for the year, the this raises more money for the Trust but our rest and refreshment area. Contact other being our Grand Draw. To extend all support via sponsorship or entrance us with your advertising ideas; we will try the number of participants taking part, fees is gratefully received. to be as accommodating as possible! this year we would like our sponsored walkers to include more of the four Get a team together! For those living further afield legged variety ….. that’s right – this year We are also encouraging team entries If you can’t make it to the walk yourself – or if you can register yourself and your dog this year. Walking is a great ‘time out’ you don’t want to collect sponsorship – why for sponsorship! We realise that some activity and can be a chance to share not support our dogs by filling in the leaflet people are uncomfortable asking to be some time with friends or colleagues in a enclosed and return it to us with your sponsored but it seems so much easier relaxed environment away from work. sponsorship money. to ask somebody to sponsor your dog You’ll be amazed at how the time passes (especially if they have a really cute when you are chatting and sharing Last year we raised around £2,500. face!). So, this year if you register your experiences together. If you work in a Wouldn’t it be great to beat that this year! dog as well as yourself you will both large (or small) organisation or receive sponsor forms. You can then would like to get a group of Contact: Caroline Lewis choose to raise sponsorship for you and friends together please [email protected] your dog or just your dog while you pay contact us for a team the entry fee of £5 for non-sponsored entry kit. or phone 01364 653026 -15- FEEDBACK 39 - SPRING 2008 Thanks and Things Thank you everyone who has given us help foreign coins, Pat and Jenny Ford for a ¨ Box trailer in good working order and support since the last issue. A special sandwich toaster, filing drawers, chocolates, ¨ Hands-free telephone headset/ thanks to all of you who knitted scarves for and last but not least Valerie Lurcock and microphone for use on reception us. Well done, you helped us raise over Heather Buswell who both bought biscuits ¨ Inkjet cartridges for HP Deskjet 3820 £400 for the Trust. Don’t forget to check out for the office staff at Xmas – yummy! and HP Deskjet 930 the next project on page 15. Lawn rakes/garden rakes Please read through the our list and see if ¨ Thank you too to Colin Meadows for you can support us with any of the following ¨ Pitchforks assistance with the webcam and equipment, items that are surplus to your requirements, ¨ 12 stackable chairs Jenny and Andy Muir who raised £151.18 we’ll be very grateful for your help: ¨ Postage stamps (both new and used with their coffee morning and to all our commemorative and foreign) wonderful volunteers who give us so much ¨ Portable CD player/radio for office use and for use in presentations if powerful ¨ Office chairs (must meet H&S specs) assistance including those who collect enough ¨ Ophthalmoscope (instrument for looking injured birds for us. into owls’ eyes) ¨ Cement mixer We are very grateful to all of you who have ¨ Foreign change (please enclose a note ¨ Car interior cleaning products read and responded to our Wants List; this of the type of currency) ¨ Jerry can in good condition for storing is a great way of recycling and over the ¨ Roll of new hardwearing office carpet, petrol years has saved the Trust a small fortune. suitable for gluing to the floor ¨ Good quality 6ft projector screen This time we need to thank everyone that ¨ Staple gun, both office-type and DIY ¨ Wildlife rehab group looking for has responded to our appeal for beads and type needed somewhere to release house sparrows ribbons, Rob Hamar for 2 slasher tools, Mr ¨ Wild bird food - mainly sacks of black (we have the perfect release site) & Mrs Budgell and Sarah Tadd for towels, sunflower seeds, also peanuts and plain ¨ Good quality Barn Owl winter scenes Mike and Margaret Clark and Melanie White canary seed either photographic or illustrative for for used stamps, Len Oates for owl pellets, ¨ Wood for making outdoor nestboxes - Christmas card images ink cartridges and stamps, Sarah sheets of 9 or 12mm tanalised softwood ¨ Empty inkjet cartridges and old mobile Colquhoun for 4 unused printer cartridges, ply and lengths of 25x 50mm tanalised phones for recycling John and Shelagh Prickett for a sack of wild batten ¨ Wild Barn Owl pellets (we can never bird food and Rosemarie for 2 bags of ¨ A4 and A3 recycled paper and card both have too many) birdseed, Nicola Pearce for a parcel of coloured and white ¨ Cement mixer towels, beads, ribbons, used stamps, ¨ Photographic-quality colour inkjet printer Tail piece... Here on the edge of Dartmoor there really is It was wonderful to see so many people Feedback, this is our 20th anniversary. It has no doubt that global warming is having an from different countries and cultures who all been an amazing journey and we have met effect on our native wildlife. The daffodils share the same passion for a species and, some remarkable people who have shared were two months early and the frogs a in most cases, the natural world. It was a our experiences and helped us on our way. month late. There was ice on the ponds perfect opportunity for sharing information, The Barn Owl Trust is more than just its some mornings when primroses were and for reinforcing the belief that what we, as achievements or the people who are here blooming in corner wood. My hedge-laying individuals, can do, really makes a difference now, it is everyone who has taken part in or became frantic when buds started appearing when there are so many other people out supported our work; it is a belief that on the trees in February but it was great there doing their bit too. We were really conserving the Barn Owl can make a being out-of-doors, sharing time with the lucky that the conference language was difference to our natural environment and countryside and doing something practical in English and full of admiration for all of the that we can all do our bit to help make the the first really dry spell we’d had for ages. speakers who gave their papers and world a better place for humans and for answered questions in what was for them a wildlife. It is about empowering individuals to Everyone here at the Trust is looking foreign language. I was reminded of when feel that their actions matter, whether they forward to being able to share the Lennon our Friend Iñigo (from Spain) first visited the are shopping, smiling or saving a Barn Owl Legacy Project experience with those of you Trust in 1990, I found it a humbling site. There is as always so much more to do twho are able to join us for the Supporters’ experience that he could converse fluently in and as individuals we may feel Day in July. Hopefully by then, if we do have my language and I knew almost nothing of overwhelmed when we think about trying to a summer, the butterflies, crickets and his. It has been a real pleasure editing the save the planet, but remember there are flowers will have returned to show off their International articles for this issue and people all over the world sharing your splendour. At the moment we are seeing corresponding with the contributors. Once concerns and doing their bit too. To all of loads of evidence of vole activity, it’s the again I feel humbled by their grasp of my you who have supported the Trust and easiest time of year to spot the signs in the language. Hopefully sharing their work with shared the first twenty years – thank you, we grassland, so this bodes well for the Barn you, with us and with each other will couldn’t have done it without you. Owls and everything else that benefits from enthuse, encourage, lead to some new a healthy vole population. insights and possibly even some tangible Together we can make a benefits for Barn Owl conservation world of difference. Last year we were lucky enough to go to the internationally. World Owl Conference and meet lots of Frances Ramsden other owl enthusiast from around the World. As you will have seen from this issue of

FEEDBACK 39 - SPRING 2008 -16-