Belton Farm Helping Barn Owls

There has been a steep decline in the number of Barn Owls nationally and locally, and they are a target species on the Shropshire Biodiversity Action Plan.

After seeing local press coverage regarding Shropshire County Council and the Shropshire Barn Owl Group asking for landowners to make space available for Barn Owls, we felt we could help.

The Shropshire Barn Owl Group have now supplied and installed two Barn Owl boxes at Belton Farm, in time for the Barn Owl breeding season. We look forward to developments, and will leave some areas of land unimproved, i.e. field margins, in order to encourage the voles etc for owls to feed on. Of course there is also the possibility that they may also help with our on-site pest control.

Ideal Barn Owl habitat consists of rough, tussocky grassland with a deep litter layer as this is where field voles (the Barn Owl's main prey) are most numerous. Grassland that lacks a deep litter layer is of much less benefit to Barn Owls - even if the grass is long.

Any farmers and landowners who are interested in helping Barn Owls can find more information on www.barnowltrust.org.uk, or by contacting Shropshire Wildlife Trust on www.shropshirewildlifetrust.org.uk or you can report sightings and find out more about the project we have participated in by contacting John Lighfoot of the Shropshire Barn Owl group by email to johnlightfoot3@virgin.net.