The World Owl Trust has monitored the barn owl population of south and west Cumbria for many years now. This year a new project has been set up to monitor the barn owls tyto alba alba and related habitat in the Rusland valley.

The project ties in well with the agri-environment grant schemes. A number of the barns in the valley have been restored under these schemes and we are working with Natural England and the Forestry Commission to install new nesting boxes in up to ten new locations. As the majority of the population resides in the northern and eastern parts of the valley we hope to encourage the owls to breed in the south west of the valley where there are already some suitable hunting territories but less breeding pairs.

In the summer we hope to enlist the help of a student to carry out more detailed habitat surveys within the study site. We will also provide training for local people to identify signs of barn owl presence and educate local school children on owl behaviour, where they live and conservation issues as part of the cultural heritage.

By installing up to 10 new boxes in carefully selected areas we hope to encourage the offspring of the existing owl population to disperse down the valley by providing new nest sites.

Sue Thurley

World Owl Trust Registered Charity Number: 1107529 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.