WE should bother about Barn Owls?

Hi, my name is Sally and I would like to thank you for showing an interest in my blog. In this blog I will explain to you some of the problems facing Barn Owls in the British Isles and why as members of the British public we should bother about them.

Habitat loss in the whole of England is becoming a big problem. The way the Barn Owl lives is becoming threatened as farmers are using pesticides to kill its prey, barns are being converted, traditional nesting sites are being destroyed, more Motorways and dual carriageways are being built (which is a major killer), and their main habitat, rough grassland, is being lost. Providing or preserving foraging habitat (rough grassland) for Barn Owls is the single most important thing that can be done to help Barn Owls. This is because rough grassland has a layer of dead grass at its base and this is where the field vole, the Barn Owls favourite prey, lives. Barn Owls are sensitive to irregular activities, and, sudden regular activities may cause some disturbance

As you can see the Barn Owl is in need of help. Luckily for the Barn Owl there is a dedicated Trust set up to protect them. This Trust is the Barn Owl Trust. It was set up by volunteers who thought that the Barn Owl was a magical bird, however because its numbers were dwindling and it was becoming rare they believed that they had to try and change this; that it was time to help the beautiful Barn Owl. These volunteers founded the Trust in Ashburton on the 30th July 1988.

The Trust was originally established to ‘reverse the Owls decline through practical conservation work’ and to ‘use people’s interest in the Barn Owl to increase environmental awareness.’ However, since the start of the Trust their original aims have changed slightly, as they now concentrate on people’s awareness as well as taking direct action. The original aims though have evolved over time as the Barn Owl Trust like to help the environment and to keep rural areas alive.

Since its foundation the Barn Owl Trust has achieved some amazing results along with the help of other national and international groups. They have written papers, reports and surveys; created training schemes covering Barn Owl ecology and other Trust work; presented talks to places such as schools; and they have managed (with others) to increase the Barn Owl population by an estimated 37% over a ten year period in the Trust’s home county of Devon. If you would like to have more information on Barn Owls or the Trust then please do visit their website, http://www.barnowltrust.org.uk/index.html

Thank you once again for reading my blog. Please do post me a response with your thoughts. In particular, it would be great if you could write just a few words in answer to the following questions. I do hope to hear from you, thank you for reading my blog.

• Had you heard about the Barn Owl Trust before reading this blog?
• Did you know that Barn Owls were in trouble before reading this blog?
• Do you feel more informed about the troubles faced by Barn Owls?
• Do you feel that you are more informed about the Barn Owl Trust?
• Would you be prepared to do any of the following things to help Barn Owls:

1. Make a donation to the Barn Owl Trust
2. Set up a nest box
3. Become a volunteer for the Barn Owl Trust
4. Spread the word of the problems faced by Barn Owls and how the Barn Owl Trust helps.
5. Make more rough grassland habitat for Barn Owls

Barn Owls are in trouble.
Fact
Barn Owls need help.
Fact
We can help them.
FACT