Those of you who follow me on instagram will know that back in February, I installed a barn owl box with the help of Dr Matt Stevens from the Hawk Conservancy in Quarley.
Over the last few months we have been watching the box like a hawk of course. One evening I was sitting round a fire with my eldest son, when he gasped “Dad..look!” and there, emerging from the box about 100 yards away was a beautiful white owl.
Dr Stevens returned a few weeks later and on investigation we found three strapping female chicks had been born. We measured, weighed and ringed them, and then returned them to sleep.
It was a truly thrilling moment, and just goes to show that with simple steps everyone can do their bit for conservation.
You can find more about the Conservancy here – they are well worth a visit: https://www.hawk-conservancy.org/