The Barn Owl Trust

THE BARN OWL Trust came into being in 1984, becoming a charity in 1988. As its title suggests, the Trust is dedicated to the conservation of barn owls. This includes carrying out practical conservation and research work, advising farmers and landowners, running a free national information service and liaising with local authorities, statutory bodies, conservation groups and individuals.

The Trust also produces educational materials and gives talks to schools and adult groups.

In 1989 they produced the first ever report on the release of captive bred barn owls in Britain and in 1992 produced a draft CODE OF PRACTICE FOR BARN OWL RELEASE on behalf of the DOE.

In the early nineties they instigated the first -ever research into the effects of barn conversions and four years later their Barn Conversion Research Project Report was published. A Guide for Planners And Developers was published in 1995 and distributed to every planning office in the UK, resulting in some local authorities stipulating that provision for barn owls must be incorporated into every barn conversion.

The Trust took a leading role in the production of the first Biodiversity Action Plan for Barn Owls in 1998.

 


BARN OWL FACTS.

Their new site enhancement schemes are tackling the root causes of barn owl decline by using a package of practical and advisory work at each known nesting site district by district, working closely with farmers and landowners.

Current research includes a radio tracking study and a major investigation into the effects of modern roads on the barn owl population.

The Trust has a sanctuary of its own where it can care for up to 60 birds. These are predominantly wild birds that have been injured on the roads, or captive-bred birds that are not suitable for release into the wild.

Barn owls are about 33cm tall with a wingspan of about 85cm and are mainly creamy white with light to mid-brown and the backs of  wings. They have a round, dished face ringed by a thin brown line. They are able to turn their head almost 360 degrees.

They are mainly nocturnal birds that hunt for small mammals over rough grassland and along field edges and roadside verges. Most live in farm buildings, though some roost and breed in trees. Unlike some owls they do not hoot. Instead they screech.

They have a feather arrangement on the leading edge of their wings which causes wind and air displacement to be silent. This allows them to creep up to their prey without giving away their presence.

Barn owls are in serious decline and need your help.

More information can be obtained by visiting the website-www.barnowltrust.org.uk or emailing info@barnowltrust.org.uk (telephone 01364-653026). You can write to them at The Barn Owl Trust, Waterleat, Ashburton, Devon, TQ13 7HU.

 

THE STAFFORDSHIRE BADGER CONSERVATION GROUP
Reg, charity no 700039

Twelve people passionate about badgers met at local wildlife park and from that meeting was formed The Staffs Badger Conservation Group. The year was 1986. Since then the group has grown from strength to strength, with a dedicated and caring committee overseeing its work.

The badger is a persecuted animal and the SBCG has worked tirelessly to address this, often in the face of adversity.The badger is mainly nocturnal so much of the work involves cold, wet, sleepless nights with little thanks from the badgers.

The main problems badgers face are as follows:

• SETT DISTURBANCE

• BAITING

• LAMPING

• OFFICIAL CULLING

• POISONING

Sett disturbance can be by way of farmers/landowners filling in badger holes with slurry, stones, oildrums and numerous other things designed to sufficate badgers. Fox hunters also block holes to stop the fox going to ground. Diggers send their dogs down the holes to hold the badgers while they dig down and pull out the badgers, either killing them or passing them on to be baited. Land developers often bulldoze setts to prevent development being held up at the planning stage. Badgers are also be gassed and poisoned in their setts.

  • The group mounts sett watching patrols using the public as well as members of the group.
  • They scrutinise local plans for developments.
  • They use alarms at vunerable setts and lay wire reinforcement around the area of the setts.
  • They raise public awareness and liaise with farmers and landowners.
  • The group has close contacts with the police and its members often act as expert witnesses in badger cruelty cases in court.

The group attends local shows eg., country fairs, game fairs, agricultural shows and county fairs where they liaise with farmers, landowners and sportsmen.

The group arranges public talks at adult venues and schools to enlighten interested parties on the plight of the badger.

An important aspect of the group's work is the rescue and rehabilitation of injured badgers. They retrieve  injured animals and pass them on to sanctuaries for treatment and, hopefully, to be released back tinto the wild. This is where Wildaid comes in by helping to ensure that sanctuaries survive.

You can contact the group by writing to the Staffordshire Badger Goup, c/o The Staffordshire Wildlife Trust, Wolseley Bridge, Stafford ST17 0WT.

 

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