Mild weather in February and March looked promising for this year’s breeding season.

The first birds in the south west were reported to be sitting on eggs in late April and to date 36 chicks have hatched. In other parts of the country such as Cheshire, nesting started as early as February and over 100 chicks have been ringed in the county so far.

There are still the same problems facing the barn owl such as habitat loss, conversion of barns and other old buildings into private dwelling, some of which still seems to be happening during the breeding season.

Other problems include jackdaws and other birds using the barn owl nest boxes. This seems to have been more of a problem than last year possibly due to the fact that the barn owl has made attempts to nest earlier than usual, so coinciding with the jackdaws.

We have had a visit from the Shropshire Barn Owl Group. They helped put up a barn owl box at Eskmeals in Cumbria. Six new boxes have been put up this season and we hope there will be some activity in these new boxes if not this season then next.

Sue Thurley

Registered Charity Number: 1055489 Limited Company Number: 5296745

The World Owl Trust is a member of the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA) and the European Association of Zoos and Aquariums (EAZA). The Trust relies on a dedicated membership, visitors, donations and legacies.