Picture courtesy Barbara Powell

Thanks to funding from the legacy of the late Pat Hoad, it was possible to build four new aviaries in the Owl Garden. After a lengthy period of designing the aviaries and then applying and waiting for the necessary planning permissions, it was finally possible for us to start work during March. Much hard work by two local builders and World Owl Trust staff allowed for swift progress and the aviaries were completed and in use before the Easter holiday.

Built of treated timber and plastic-coated weld mesh on a concrete block foundation, the attractive aviaries have been floored with woodchips and equipped with natural logs and branches. They have been further enhanced with a fine selection of live trees and shrubs, donated by the Muncaster Plant Centre.

Designed to house medium-sized owls, the new aviaries have enabled us to show visitors an even larger selection of owls from our collection. By moving some of our owls into different aviaries, it is now possible to see South American horned owls, Bubo virginianus nacurutu, rusty-barred owls, Strix hylophila and African barn owls, tyto alba affinis, at the World Owl Trust for the first time. The fourth aviary will provide ideal accommodation for pearl-spotted owlets, Glaucidium perlatum, due to arrive soon.

David Armitage

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.