 | | SEE ALSO | | Nature Index Outdoors Index Barn Owl Revival Barn Owl Death Toll | | | WEB LINKS | | Barn Owl Trust RSPCA
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external websites. | | | FACTS | | The Barn Owl population of the British Isles declined by an estimated 70% between 1932 and 1985.
The Barn Owl Trust began its work with Barn Owls in 1984 and became a registered charity in 1988.
The aim of the Trust is the conservation of the Barn Owl and its environment.
The Barn Owl Trust's main areas of work are conservation, education, information and research. In addition the Trust provides sanctuary for between 40 and 60 owls at any one time. | | | PRINT THIS PAGE | | | View print friendly version of this page.. | |  |
 | | The Barn Owl Trust wants you to join them for their annual sponsored walk on the beautiful Flete Estate in the South Hams on Sunday 15th May, 2005.
There's a choice of two routes, six or nine miles in length. But if you're not up to the exercise yourself, you can sponsor Megan the Golden Labrador Retriever or Lupe the Briard who will do the walk for you!
 | | Megan and Lupe will be happy to do the walk for you |
The Barn Owl Trust was established as a registered charity in 1988. The aim of the Trust is the conservation of the Barn Owl and its environment.The sponsored walk is just one way it raises money to fund its operation, relying mainly on legacies, grants, donations, an adoption scheme and membership fees.
The number of Barn Owls which survive, and their breeding success, varies a great deal each year.
Across Britain the Barn Owl population has declined tremendously.
The Trust's work was seriously disrupted by the foot and mouth outbreak in 2001 but things have now settled down and although Devon may have as few as 250 pairs left, this is a 37% on the Barn Owl survey of 1993.
What a hoot!
The Barn Owl is around 33cm (13in) tall with a wingspan of approximately 85cm (34in). The face, breast and underside are predominantly white.
When it is seen in flight it gives the impression of a large white bird, however if the owl is seen from behind or above it looks light brown or grey.
Contrary to popular belief, Barn Owls do not hoot. Their diet consists mainly of small mammals which they often swallow whole, regurgitating the indigestible parts as pellets.
April is the month when most eggs are laid, normally in a dark cavity or on a ledge in an old building or hollow tree.
Rehabilitation programme In March 2004, the Trust rehabilitated a trio of wild owls. "Tam", who was found near Tamerton Foliot sincerely concussed and underweight; "Ratty" a beautiful female found in Rattery with a badly broken wing; and "Dippy" from Diptford who was taken to the RSPCA with multiple puncture wounds.
 | A Barn Owl undergoes an operation on a damaged wing
Photo: Inigo Fajardo Barn Owl Trust |
On their recovery, the Trust appealed to local landowners for a site to release them and after careful consideration chose a location in the Torbay/Dartmouth area.
"It's an ideal place," said Conservation Officer, Amy Oliver. "There's excellent foraging habitat nearby."
The birds will be kept in a mobile aviary at the site until weather conditions are perfect to release them.
"Barn Owls are not waterproof so they need calm conditions to hunt," said Amy.
Once the aviary door has been opened - which could be any day now - the landowner will continue to leave food for them until their visits decrease and they start hunting again for themselves.
"There's no more rewarding feeling," said Amy, "than putting up a nest box and finding nesting owls the following year. Especially if they are owls that you know you helped rehabilitate.
"The three birds have been ringed so we should be able to follow their progress."
For more information about the sponsored walk or other ways you can help the Trust, check out their website. There's a link at the top of this page. |
