Evicted barn owls get 'bachelor's pad'
03/12/2007
A DESIGNER barn owl box with an upper storey “bachelor's pad” has been erected at a site in Suffolk.
The initiative, at a site in Lound, near Somerleyton, owned by Essex & Suffolk Water, is part of Suffolk Wildlife Trust's Community Barn Owl Project.
The specially-crafted barn owl box, with both a bottom chamber for the female bird and young and an upper storey for the unfortunate evicted male, is the handiwork of people from a charity called SOLD (Special Objectives for the Local Disabled) in south Lowestoft.
The charity is supported by Social Services for people with sensory and physical impairment.
The construction of the “designer” box at Lound and other barn owl boxes was commissioned by the Suffolk Wildlife Trust.
Steve Piotrowski, project manager and president of the Suffolk Ornithologists Group, said: “It's a constructive activity which helps raise people's self esteem and gives them a sense of accomplishment - they are now celebrating the construction of their 200th barn owl box! This project is a real community effort.”
Mr Piotrowski said there was evidence that barn owl numbers in Suffolk were recovering from the marked decline which had taken place since the 1930s.
“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,” he said.
The Suffolk Community Barn Owl Project aims to erect over 500 barn owl boxes in suitable locations throughout the county.
“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,” Mr Piotrowski added.
Claire Lorenc , senior conservation advisor at Essex & Suffolk Water said: “We are pleased to be supporting the barn owls of Suffolk through this project and hope that the new box on our site at Lound soon becomes hot property!”
The trust believes the Lound initiative is a great example of joint co-operation between community groups, wildlife conservation organisations and business.
Oka Russell, spokeswoman, said: “The grassland site, is owned by Essex & Suffolk Water who contribute funding to the Suffolk Community Barn Owl Project and is managed for wildlife through a partnership between Essex & Suffolk Water and the Broads Authority.
“The installation of the pole is being funded by EDF Energy which provided the machinery, the pole and the expertise needed to erect it.
“The staff are taking part in the event as part of the EDF Energy Helping Hands scheme, under which staff of every level and background can take two days of company time per year, to help support the local communities the company serves.
Rebecca Hopkinson, EDF spokeswoman, said: The company has strong links with wildlife trusts across the region through its employee ambassador scheme.”
In Suffolk, people can buy a box for their own land or adopt one of the boxes on other people's land. For more information contact Oka Russell at Suffolk Wildlife Trust, tel. 01473 890 089.
EADT24 Suffolk & Essex online - www.eadt.co.uk