Life’s a hoot for new recruits

Barn Owl chicks join conservation display team!

At just nine weeks old, a pair of Barn Owl chicks have swooped into a new home at the Hampshire-based bird of prey charity, the Hawk Conservancy Trust.

While getting ready to take their places on the charity’s flying display team, the fluffy-faced youngsters are embarking on a gentle induction scheme to settle them in, bond with the human members of the Bird Team and earn their stripes.

It is hoped by spring next year, the pair should be ready to become fully fledged ambassadors within the daily displays that help the charity connect birds of prey with the public at its visitor centre near Andover in Hampshire.

By that time they will also have been named, as the Trust is about to launch a public vote to select favourite monikers from a cheese-themed shortlist.  Anyone wishing to get involved can have their say by visiting the Trust’s social media channels.

By showcasing their natural behaviours, a variety of stunning owls and other birds of prey at the charity give visitors the chance to witness their incredible flying and hunting abilities and to learn how, with support, the Trust is working to help conserve these beautiful birds in the wild.

Barn Owls are the most easily spotted owls in the UK as their low-level hunting at dawn and dusk means sharp-eyed commuters can often catch a glimpse as they pass open fields. However, long-term habitat loss is putting pressure on these favourites of British wildlife.

As a result, Barn Owls are one of the many bird of prey species that the Hawk Conservancy Trust focuses on supporting in the wild. Its Raptor Nest Box Project now provides over 1500 nest boxes throughout southern England to assist Barn Owls, Little Owls, Kestrels and Tawny Owls.

In 2023, at least 198 Barn Owl chicks fledged from nest boxes in the project. Right now the last few remaining nest boxes of the year are being checked by the Trust as Barn Owls often rear two broods so need monitoring later into autumn.

Photos: Mike Halliwell, Neil Saunders (@hamilton_farm)