COUNTDOWN - Cheshire region Biodiversity Programme

The Barn Owl Local Groups need YOU!

Between 1932 and 1985 the number of barn owls in Cheshire declined by 85% from 240 to only 35 breeding pairs. During 1999, only 10 pairs of barn owls were confirmed as breeding for the whole of Cheshire and the Wirral. This dramatic decline has been attributed to a loss of rough grassland habitat over which barn owls hunt for small mammals, and a lack of suitable nest sites, such as old barns and hollow trees. The aim of the Cheshire Barn Owl Project is to work with local communities, local businesses, and other conservation organisations to reverse this decline.

Local volunteers get involved in many exciting activities which include building and erecting nestboxes, awareness raising, surveys, pellet analysis, visiting farmers and landowners, and collecting and mapping sightings.

What can you do to help?

• Join your local barn owl group
  
• Report any sightings of barn owls
  
• If you are a landowner and wish to encourage barn owls onto your land, contact the Cheshire Wildlife Trust or your local group.
  
• Spread the word!

LOCAL BARN OWL GROUPS IN CHESHIRE:

Interested? Then please contact the Cheshire Wildlife Trust, Grebe House, Reaseheath, Nantwich, Cheshire, CW5 6DG. Tel no: 01270 610180 or email [email protected]

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