Biffaward - North Cheshire Barn Owl Project

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Highlights

Organisation: Mid Cheshire Barn Owl Conservation Group
Amount: £7,000
Awarded: 30-09-2007
Started: 01-10-2007
Ref No: 3142

Surveys carried out over the last 50 years have shown a rapid decline in Cheshire's barn owl population, dipping as low as only five recorded breeding pairs.

Changes in farming methods resulting in the loss of suitable habitat, plus fewer available nesting sites in barns (due to demolition or conversion into homes), have been established as major factors in this decline.

A number of barn owl groups have been established throughout the country to help support and conserve this protected bird. However their work is entirely voluntary and reliant upon financial support from local businesses, councils, and similar interested and supporting organisations.

One group, the Mid Chesire Barn Owl Conservation Group, has obtained such support from Biffaward, with a £7,000 grant.

Biffaward funding will enable more than 60 new nest boxes to be erected in suitable places across the county. Mini cameras and recording devices within the boxes will connect to portable screens and laptop computers, so that the owls' activities can be observed and we can learn more about the factors which affect the life cycle of these beautiful and endangered birds.

Success!
Although not all boxes have been erected so far, already a pair of barn owls have bred successfully in one of the new nesting boxes.

2008 was a very poor year for barn owls both regionally and nationally, but with early success of the boxes provided through Biffaward's support, there is at least some hope for the barn owls in the northern parts of Chesire.