Group’s sponsorship scheme gives a hoot about barn owls
A conservation group in Steyning is hoping people will ‘give a hoot’ this Christmas by sponsoring a barn owl nesting box.
Greening Steyning launched the scheme at the Farmers Market in Steyning earlier this month as the perfect ‘shop local – act local’ Christmas gift, in the hope of attracting more owls by providing extra nesting spaces.
According to the Barn Owl Trust, there are fewer barn owls in Britain than at any time since records began, yet parts of West Sussex provide good habitat, including the area around Steyning.
Ronnie Read, who heads up Greening Steyning’s Biodiversity Action Group, said: “With their characteristic heart-shaped faces and acute eyesight and hearing, barn owls fly almost silently thanks to their special feathers.
“To thrive again they need more nesting spots, since modern barns don’t provide enough nooks and crannies.”
To find the best sites to install the nest boxes, Greening Steyning has teamed up with the Upper Adur Farmers Group, a network of local farmers promoting nature-friendly farming practices.
The plan is to put up at least ten boxes along the Adur Valley to create a network of new nesting sites.
Local carpenter Dan Carter is making the boxes from sustainable timber following a tried-and-tested design from the Barn Owl Trust.
He said: “The boxes need to be quite big to house a family of owls – almost the size of a small fridge.”
They have a special‘ balcony’ right outside the entrance for fledglings to perch on while they’re learning to fly.
You can ‘share a box’ for £25, or sponsor a whole box at £150.
To make a nice gift package, sponsors will receive a beautiful presentation card designed by local artist Melissa Birch, as well as a nifty owl motif badge saying “I Give a Hoot!”
Owl box sponsors will be able to track the project via the Greening Steyning website.
Joanne Knowles, from Greening Steyning, who is coordinating the owl project said: “We’ll be showing a map of where the boxes have been installed,and later on we’ll be providing updates on how many owls have moved in.”
The scheme is open to anyone who would like to sponsor a box. You can find out more and sign up via the Greening Steyning website at: www.greeningsteyning.org/ whogivesahoot