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BOCN News |
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2009 Expectations Changed Story dated: 11/5/2009 As reported last month I conducted my initial sampling of Barn Owl nest sites during the first week of April. This was in preparation for my initial visits to the BTO’s 200 Core BOMP sites which cover the eastern half of England and central southern England. These initial visits revealed that some Barn Owls were already on eggs and that this may be an early season for Barn Owls in 2009. This result had surprised me because the cyclic activity in Barn Owl occupancy and fledging success during the last decade or so, which is usually a good indicator of field vole abundance, pointed to this being a year when vole abundance would be at its three-year low. I have now visited over 50 Barn Owl sites and the early indications I had of an early year for Barn Owl breeding, have not materialised. Although most of the 50 sites that I have visited in the first two weeks of May have pairs present, the adult females at the majority of these, have not yet achieved sufficient weight for egg-laying. This would suggest that late egg dates are likely to be the norm for many Barn Owls in England in 2009, indicating that vole abundance has declined rapidly in recent months. There will undoubtedly be some lack of synchronicity in this effect with some areas, such as Cambridgeshire, probably faring better. Late egg dates are normally indicative of a poor year in terms of overall breeding success and because of this I would not be surprised if a significant proportion of the population fail to lay eggs or to rear young this year. My prediction that 2010 will be a very good year for field vole and Barn Owl breeding success, remains firm however, so fieldworkers do not despair, the situation remains bright in the longer term. Tawny Owls are also struggling in most areas whilst Little Owls are doing well this year, unlike last. Kestrels seem a little late with some traditional sites unoccupied this year. Colin Shawyer BOCN Co-ordinator UK & Ireland The Barn Owl is specially protected under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act, making it unlawful to intentionally or recklessly disturb it whilst it is preparing to nest or is at the nest with eggs or young, or to disturb its dependent young. Inspection of nest sites can only be undertaken by experienced fieldworkers holding a licence issued by the appropriate countryside agency: Countryside Council for Wales, Natural England, Northern Ireland Environment Agency, Scottish Natural Heritage. |
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Prediction 2009 Story dated: 4/22/2009 *This article has now been surpassed by a May 2009 update by Colin Shawyer* In early April I have as usual, sampled a number of traditional Barn Owl sites to assess the timing of breeding in 2009 and determine when most clutches are likely to be completed. At the time of writing (21st April) it can be estimated that a number of Barn Owls in England will now be incubating full clutches, which means that first eggs were laid during the first and second weeks of April, about 2-3 weeks earlier than average. A very small number began laying in late March. For a number of pairs we can expect eggs to begin hatching in the first and second weeks of May. Occupancy levels and clutch sizes look reasonable. Normally we could anticipate second broods with the onset of this early laying date, but at the moment the final outcome in terms of eventual fledging success is less predictable than it has been in the past. I will be monitoring more sites in the next few weeks and will post further updates. The Barn Owl is specially protected under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act, making it unlawful to intentionally or recklessly disturb it whilst it is preparing to nest or is at the nest with eggs or young, or to disturb its dependent young. Inspection of nest sites can only be undertaken by fieldworkers holding a licence issued by the appropriate countryside agency: Countryside Council for Wales, Natural England, Northern Ireland Environment Agency, Scottish Natural Heritage. Colin Shawyer |
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Symposium Marks 21 Years of BOCN Story dated: 4/22/2009 Now 21 years old, the Barn Owl Conservation Network celebrated its 'coming of age' at Sheepdrove Eco Conference Centre.
Juliet Kindersley welcomed 120 delegates from across the UK and Ireland for the Barn Owl Conservation Network Symposium 2009. Juliet established the Sheepdrove Trust, which funds the BOCN - a Network of dedicated people who strive to save the nation's favourite owl. "What you do for barn owls all over the country is very important work." Juliet told the audience. She recalled how, back in the 1990s, her owl nestbox set in a new barn very soon attracted a Barn Owl. Juliet and Peter Kindersley contacted the BOCN and received expert advice on how to develop the provision of nestboxes and habitat across the farm as it grew. Today up to five breeding pairs of Barn Owl live at Sheepdrove Organic Farm and all five British owl species use its rich landscape. Sheepdrove's success story echoes the many examples that the Network advisors have achieved nationwide - working in partnership with farmers, landowners, agencies and volunteers. By promoting creation of the essential rough grass habitat that barn owls require, and the careful location of nestboxes, the Network has recorded a rise in Barn Owl populations wherever they have worked. Overall, the emerging evidence suggests a significant population recovery - a scientific national survey is needed to confirm the growth. However, the Barn Owl is still vulnerable and remains on the Amber List of Birds of Conservation Concern. Knowledge shared through the BOCN has advanced the understanding of the ecology of the owls, based on many years of monitoring and study by many dedicated groups and individuals. Speakers delivered presentations about a range of topics and reflected what has been learned from over two decades of Barn Owl conservation and study.
Bob Sheppard summarised 25 years of owl conservation in Lincolnshire, Mark Grantham (BTO) looked at 100 years of bird ringing, Alex Copland and John Lusby (BirdWatch Ireland) explored the latest knowledge about the Barn Owl in Eire, Paddy Jackson investigated double brooding, Karen Davies (FWAG) highlighted the best options for owls in Environmental Stewardship (the grant scheme for farmers), Bernard Wright and Roy Leigh summarised 25 years of work in Cheshire, and Colin Shawyer reviewed the work of the BOCN. Symposium papers will be brought together with county-based reports from the Network, and published as a collection to illustrate the progress made by the Barn Owl Conservation Network over its twenty one years. |
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