Barn Owl Nest Box Monitoring

Barn Owl Nest Box Monitoring
Why do we monitor Barn Owls? - West and North Cornwall Ringing Group are working in liaison with the Barn Owl Trust, Cornwall Birdwatching and Preservation Society (CBWPS) and are funded by very generous financial support from Paradise Park. The team of ringers monitors over 120 Barn Owl nest boxes throughout Cornwall. We asked the Cornwall Bird Watching and Preservation Society (CBWPS) what limits the Barn Owl population in the county and it identified a lack of nest sites as a major factor. For these owls to thrive they need habitat with plenty of small mammals (especially voles) to eat, and a cosy place to shelter. They face many perils including traffic collisions, poisoning from rodenticides and hard winters, so need all the help they can get! The last Cornish Barn Owl survey took place in 2004 which determined that there were between 270 and 360 pairs and most were using nest boxes provided for them.
The Methodology: - These are visited twice annually to monitor the breeding adults and also to ring the chicks prior to fledging. This allows us to monitor the success of the breeding season and also to monitor the dispersal of young birds away from their natal areas. So when will the licenced ringers carry out their activities:
• An early visit in May to identify the nesting adult birds and record the number of eggs laid.
• A follow up visit around six weeks later to ring the chicks at the optimum time before fledging.
What can you do to help with this project?
Nest box Locations: - If you own land in North Cornwall where there is good habitat and a building, but no nest available we want you to get in touch. The most promising sites will be visited and a nest box provided and fitted if all the necessary criteria are met.
Monitoring: - Anyone with Barn Owls breeding on their property who would like to join the monitoring scheme is encouraged to get in touch with us to arrange a site visit.
If you already have nesting Barn Owls then your birds can be included in the monitoring scheme with twice-yearly visits. For further information please email: peterroseveare@yahoo.com or call him on 07955216836.
For more information on this county wide project please visit West Cornwall Ringing Group here: https://cornishringing.blogspot.com/p/barn-owls.html?m=0