Hawk and Owl Trust
Working for Wild Birds of Prey and their Habitats
South Gloucestershire Group
Registered Charity No. 1058565
2
Contents
Working to conserve Wild Birds of Prey in South Gloucestershire
3-5
Conserving Owls of South Gloucestershire
6-8
Conserving Raptors of South Gloucestershire
9-11
Why Barn Owls need our help in South Gloucestershire
12-13
Nest boxes for Owls and other Birds of Prey
14-15
Hawk and Owl Trust in the South West
16
Hawk and Owl Trust Shapwick Moor Nature Reserve
17
Support the Hawk and Owl Trust
18
Adopt a Box with the Hawk and Owl Trust
19
HOT Project ‘Kestrel Highways’
20
Have you seen this bird?
21
Hawk and Owl Trust Mobile Education Unit
22-23
3
Hawk and Owl Trust
Working to conserve Wild Birds
of Prey in South Gloucestershire
The Hawk and Owl Trust (HOT) is the only charity in the UK solely
dedicated to conserving all Britain’s wild birds of prey and their
habitats.
Owls, falcons, hawks and buzzards are under daily threat from habitat
loss, persecution, nest site loss, road mortality plus many other factors.
These problems play a large part in their ability to survive and breed in our
countryside. The Trust works to help these birds by linking with farmers
and other landowners to create habitat, installing artificial nest boxes to
encourage breeding and educating on issues that affect the birds survival
in the wild.
The Trust has groups scattered across the UK, consisting of volunteers who
give up their time to help these birds in their local countryside. The Hawk
and Owl Trust South Gloucestershire Group is very active within the local
community, working with South Gloucestershire Council, local farmers and
landowners to create habitat and nest box projects. The group regularly
attend local shows and events educating the public and advising on
ways to help the local population of owls and birds of prey. This increases
awareness and is helping to both sustain existing breeding owls and
falcons as well as encouraging more of these species to breed in the area.
For information on the following subjects:
Projects / Farm Visits / Community Talks / Monthly Speaker Meetings
Shows and Events / Membership
Contact the South Gloucestershire Group by going to:
www.hawkandowl.org/groups/south-gloucestershire-group
4
1
2
3
1. Vole rich rough grass habitat / 2. Short-tailed field vole / 3. Barn Owl nest box
Hawk and Owl Trust
Working to conserve Wild Birds
of Prey in South Gloucestershire
The Hawk and Owl Trust South Gloucestershire Group is installing
many nest boxes for birds of prey in South Gloucestershire. These
artificial nesting sites are being installed on farmland, private land
and in many of the area’s local nature reserves. The boxes provide
a safe, dry site for the birds and are regularly used by them, with
brood success often greater than in damp natural sites which may
not offer the same degree of protection from predators.
The creation of local hunting habitat is vital to the breeding success of the
nest boxes. Many birds of prey feed on short - tailed field voles which live
and breed in rough uncut grassland habitat. This is the primary target prey
species for our work and areas of vole – rich grassland contribute strongly
to the successful breeding of birds such as Barn Owls and Kestrels.
During the nesting season, many young owls and birds of prey depend
heavily on this habitat to survive beyond the nest. The Trust encourages
landowners to leave field margins, where whole fields cannot be left. This
is a popular compromise with farmers and there are government schemes
to offset lost income. Rough grass areas also support other wildlife, with
many insects, birds and mammals benefiting from its creation.
5
4
Barn Owl hunting near the Severn Bridge
Hawk and Owl Trust
By educating landowners to the habitat requirements of owls and raptors,
we are helping to create more of these valuable hunting areas in many
parts of South Gloucestershire.
On some sites in the area, the South Gloucestershire local group is working
with landowners to provide both nest boxes and habitat for wild birds of
prey. For example, group members working with a local landowner have
helped manage their meadows to create large areas of suitable rough
grassland for voles. This habitat now plays an important part in sustaining
the local breeding Barn Owls, as well as providing important hunting
habitat for local Kestrels. Buzzards and Sparrowhawks are also regularly
spotted in the skies overhead. Nest boxes in the area are monitored by
Trust volunteers, making sure that no unwanted “guests” have taken up
residence, ensuring that the boxes remain usable for the target species.
Where a box is used for breeding, the young birds are ringed by a licensed
ringer and the records submitted to the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO).
The monitoring process contributes to records of breeding successes in
South Gloucestershire and helps us to focus our conservation on those
birds that need it most.
Ringing a Tawny Owl chick
5
6
Conserving Owls
of South Gloucestershire
BARN OWL
Hawk and Owl Trust
¡
Pale owl with
heart shaped
face and dark
eyes.
¡
Mainly
nocturnal but
sometimes
hunts during
daytime.
¡
Chilling scream,
often heard at
night.
¡
Inhabits farm land
and open country.
Natural nest sites
¡
include barns and
tree hollows.
¡
Specialist small
mammal hunter that
is often affected by
loss of rough uncut
grass habitat, the
home of its main prey, the
short-tailed field vole.
¡
Some breeding pairs in
South Gloucestershire.
HABITAT & CONSERVATION EFFORTS
The Barn Owl is a bird of open farmland. It requires
large areas of vole rich rough grassland to breed and
survive. Nest boxes are installed on a large tree or inside a barn or
similar building close to suitable hunting habitat.
7
LITTLE OWL
¡
Small brown and white owl with yellow eyes.
Sits on posts and telegraph poles during the
¡
day.
8 different calls, including “yelp” & “hooo-oo”.
¡
Hawk and Owl Trust
¡
Inhabits open country, farmland, urban
smallholdings and places with hedges, ruins
etc.
¡
Nest sites include tree hollows, roof cavities
and sometimes old rabbit burrows.
Prey includes insects and small mammals.
¡
Widespread in South Gloucestershire.
¡
HABITAT & CONSERVATION EFFORTS
The Little Owl inhabits mixed open farmland and areas with
hedgerows, plus semi-rural sites close to open land. Nest boxes are
installed in trees, hedgerows or on the side of buildings.
LONG-EARED OWL
¡
Brown owl with long feather tufts which
look like ears. Orange–yellow eyes.
¡
Mainly nocturnal owl.
¡
Calls include a repeated hoo – hoo – hoo –
hoo. Young have calls resembling a squeaky
gate.
¡
Specialist vole hunter. Often hunts over
young plantations.
¡
Takes to artificial baskets lined with twigs,
simulating abandoned crows’ nests.
¡
Recorded in South Gloucestershire.
HABITAT & CONSERVATION EFFORTS
The Long – eared Owl’s traditional nesting sites are within conifer
woodland, close to vole rich hunting areas. The Trust installs artificial
nesting baskets, which have proved successful at established Long –
eared Owl nesting sites.
8
TAWNY OWL
¡
Large brown owl with dark eyes.
Mainly nocturnal.
¡
Most common owl in Britain.
¡
Familiar tu-whit, tu-whoo call.
¡
Hawk and Owl Trust
Inhabits deciduous or mixed woods and
¡
parkland plus churchyards.
¡
Feeds on small mammals such as rats and
mice as well as birds, amphibians etc.
Widespread in South Gloucestershire.
¡
HABITAT & CONSERVATION EFFORTS
The Tawny Owl’s domain is woodland. The Trust installs nest boxes
in a tree within the woodland or sometimes in a shelter belt, copse,
or in a tree in a large garden or park.
SHORT-EARED OWL
¡
Attractive dark brown owl with dominant
white streaks on breast feathers. Yellow eyes.
¡
Calls include inconspicuous “boo-boo-boo.
Favours open grassy moorland, marshes
¡
and sand dunes. In winter frequents grassy
marshes, grazing meadows and adjacent
arable fields.
¡
Specialist vole hunter, but will take other
small mammals.
¡
Hunts during day and night. Perches on
posts.
Breeds and roosts on ground.
¡
¡
Wintering birds recorded in South
Gloucestershire.
HABITAT & CONSERVATION EFFORTS
The rough grass habitat created for Barn Owls also provides good
hunting areas for Short-eared Owls. This species is a winter visitor to
parts of South Gloucestershire, particularly along the River Severn.
9
Conserving Raptors
of South Gloucestershire
KESTREL
Hawk and Owl Trust
¡
Male has reddish-brown back and blue-grey
head. Female more brown with brown-black
streaks.
This Falcon is typically seen hovering over
¡
roadside verges in search of small mammals.
¡ Nests in old crows’ nests, ledges and cavities.
¡
Wide diet including small mammals, birds
and insects.
South Gloucestershire Group taking part in
¡
national project to reverse a decline in this
species see p20.
HABITAT & CONSERVATION EFFORTS
Kestrels can be found in built up areas, open countryside and also in
semi-rural areas ,hunting for small mammals, insects and birds.
An open front design of nest box is erected on trees or buildings.
SPARROWHAWK
¡
Fast agile hawk.
¡
Male much smaller than browner female.
¡
Both hunt in woodland, with larger female
also hunting open farmland. Will take
pigeons.
Main diet is small garden and woodland
¡
birds.
¡
Common in South Gloucestershire.
HABITAT & CONSERVATION EFFORTS
Nesting baskets can be installed in woodlands. Despite common
misconceptions, Sparrowhawk’s have little effect on song bird
population declines, which is in fact due to other factors such as
habitat loss.
10
COMMON BUZZARD
¡
Large brown bird with brown and white
markings.
¡
Soars high in sky on thermals on fine days.
Hunts over farmland and open land with
¡
sparse forests.
Hawk and Owl Trust
Builds nest with twigs and moss high in tall
¡
trees.
¡
Diet includes small mammals, rabbits,
worms, insects and carrion.
¡
Common in South Gloucestershire.
HABITAT & CONSERVATION EFFORTS
The Buzzard nests at the top of trees and soars on thermals over
open countryside in search of carrion, or over newly ploughed fields
where it will often forage for worms and insects.
PEREGRINE FALCON
¡
The largest British falcon.
White/black streaked under parts with
¡
black/white facial “moustache”.
¡
Found on coastline and inland quarries.
Main diet consists of seabirds, waders and
¡
pigeons.
Nests on cliff edges or high ledge.
¡
¡
Often attacks prey in up to 180+ mph stoop.
Breeding pairs in South Gloucestershire.
¡
HABITAT & CONSERVATION EFFORTS
Peregrines are increasingly found in cities. The Trust has been
erecting nesting trays on the spires of cathedrals and churches
and regularly monitors both these and natural sites to discourage
human persecution.
11
HOBBY
¡
Summer visitor and breeder in the UK.
¡
Similar in appearance to Peregrine, but
smaller and lighter and has heavy barring on
under wings.
Fast flying falcon that hunts insects, swifts,
¡
swallows and martins.
Hawk and Owl Trust
Nests high in old crows’ nest.
¡
¡
Frequently seen in South Gloucestershire
during summer.
HABITAT & CONSERVATION EFFORTS
The Hobby hunts over open countryside and in the vicinity of lakes
and rivers, feeding their young with dragonflies and other insects.
It takes readily to nesting baskets place high in trees in open areas.
RED KITE
¡
Large slender brown raptor with white
markings, the underside is red-rust with
darker brown stripes on the chest.
When soaring high in the sky can be
¡
confused with the Buzzard but has larger
wingspan and distinctive forked tail.
Varied diet, mainly carrion but also small
¡
mammals, birds, insects and earth worms.
Nests high in the fork of a tree.
¡
Occasionally seen in South Gloucestershire.
¡
HABITAT & CONSERVATION EFFORTS
Following years of persecution only a few pairs remained by the
early 1900’s and were confined to Wales. Monitoring by volunteers,
including HOT, prevented complete extinction. Following a
reintroduction project using young birds from Sweden, which began
first in the Chilterns in 1989 and subsequently in other areas in the
UK, the population is slowly recovering. If you see a Red Kite in
South Gloucestershire please contact us at: www.hawkandowl.org
/groups/southgloucestershire and report your siting.
12
Why Barn Owls need our help
in South Gloucestershire
Hawk and Owl Trust
The Barn Owl is still quite rare in South Gloucestershire and is a
target species in the council’s Biodiversity Action Plan. This means
that extra effort is being made in the county to help this species. The
Hawk and Owl Trust South Gloucestershire Group is working in close
partnership with South Gloucestershire Council to spearhead this
conservation effort. Barn Owls have many factors that threaten their
survival:
ROAD DEATHS
Up to 5000 Barn Owls are
killed every year on Britain’s
roads. Many of these owls
are inexperienced young
birds that are on dispersal in
search of territories. Hungry
and forced to hunt rough
grass areas alongside busy
roads, these low flying birds
are easily struck by traffic and
often killed.
DROWNING
Many Barn Owls drown each
year when they fall in to water
troughs. Their feathers absorb
water very quickly and once
waterlogged the birds find
it very difficult to get out of
these death traps. The Trust
recommends floating a bread
tray or similar in these type of
vessels. This will assist the owl
in saving itself, should it fall in.
13
1
1&2. Loss of suitable habitat
2
3
3. Loss of tree nest sites
Hawk and Owl Trust
LOSS OF HABITAT
Barn Owls depend heavily on un-cut rough grass habitats to hunt for its
primary food source, the short-tailed field vole. These voles account for
up to 85% of the owl’s diet. However, many birds struggle to find enough
voles as many fields are cut each year by landowners. This can sometimes
be the difference between life and death for a nest of young fledglings.
LOSS OF NESTING SITES
Farm buildings, such as barns, are traditional nesting sites for Barn Owls.
Many of these buildings are converted to provide living accommodation
and the birds are forced to find another site to live and breed.
If you have land, you can help our local Barn Owls in the following
ways:
Leave grass un-cut through each year, or leave up to 10mtr margins at the
edges of fields as a compromise. If owls are using buildings for roosting
or breeding, leave them un-disturbed and ensure access is available
at all times, particularly in spring, when they may have young to feed.
Float a bread tray or similar in water troughs. Keep roadside hedgerows
higher around sites where owls are known to breed, so that they have
less chance of being struck when flying across traffic. Contact the South
Gloucestershire Group to have a survey and possible Barn Owl nest
box installed if you live near suitable open country habitat.
Loss of old farm buildings
4
14
Nest boxes for Owls and
other Birds of Prey
LITTLE OWL
Hawk and Owl Trust
The Little Owl box can be positioned in isolated
trees or hedgerows or on the interior or exterior
walls of farm buildings. The entrance hole is
70mm, which ensures access for the owls but
excludes predators such as the Tawny Owl. Little
Owls like dark places, so the box is designed
with a separate compartment leading to the nest chamber.
BARN OWL (INTERNAL)
The internal box is typically installed inside a
barn or isolated farm building preferably with
two permanent access points, at a height that is
safe from predators, such as cats. The entrance
hole is set high to ensure the young cannot
leave the box too early and the platform should
be large enough to prevent older fledglings
falling off in the scramble to feed.
BARN OWL (EXTERNAL)
This design with a 125mm square entrance hole
is installed in a tree in open land, or within a
hedgerow, close to suitable vole rich rough grass
hunting habitat. Clearance should be allowed
for a flight path for the long winged Barn Owl.
Brood sizes can be quite large in good years,
with the young staying in the box for over 8 weeks.
GENERAL NOTES
1. Boxes should be ideally positioned with the entrance hole facing between NE – SE, away
from the prevailing weather.
2. All boxes are coated with a suitable wildlife friendly preservative.
3. Many species and their nests are subject to legal protection under The Wildlife &
Countryside Act 1981. Nest boxes should only be inspected by authorised persons.
15
TAWNY OWL
This box is normally installed in woodland,
although boxes in large gardens and copses can
be successful. It should be installed on the trunk
of a large tree and allowance should be made
for a clear flight path in to the box for the bird.
Hawk and Owl Trust
Cautionary Note: Tawny Owls can be
aggressive and care should be taken around the
nest site when young are in the box.
KESTREL
The Kestrel prefers an open fronted box design,
which simulates a natural tree cavity or ledge.
This box can be installed in a tree or high up
on a building or pole, close to open grassland
where the birds can hunt. Kestrels like a clear
view from the nest site, so any obstructing
foliage should be removed.
UNWANTED GUESTS
If nest boxes are invaded by
unwelcome guests, such as
squirrels, corvids or pigeons, they
should be evicted and all nesting
material removed. Stock Doves are
the subject of conservation and
should be left undisturbed.
1
1. Jackdaw / 2. Squirrel
2
16
Hawk and Owl Trust
in the South West
GROUPS
Hawk and Owl Trust
The Hawk and Owl Trust groups in the South West work in
partnership with many community bodies on conservation projects.
These initiatives are helping to conserve wild owls and other birds of
prey and their habitats all over the region.
www.hawkandowl.org/groups ¡ B
ath and West Wiltshire
¡ South Gloucestershire
¡ M
endip and Somerset Levels
¡ Bristol and North Somerset
¡ D
orset and South Somerset
LONG-EARED OWL CONSERVATION PARTNERSHIP
The Long-eared Owl is one of Britain’s rarest and most elusive birds. This
project involves local communities in the Mendip and Quantock Hills in an
effort to conserve the breeding habits for Long-eared Owls and monitor
breeding pairs.
CONSTANT MONITORING OF BARN OWL AND KESTREL
Rough grass habitats are vital to sustain the populations of these two birds
and this project ensures that habitat creation remains an on-going target.
SOMERSET BARN OWL COMMUNIT Y PROJECT
The Hawk and Owl Trust and the Somerset Wildlife Trust have teamed up
with their local communities. Run by the Trust’s Conservation Officer Chris
Sperring MBE this project is about securing the future of this special bird
by providing new nest sites and by working with landowners to create and
manage new habitat.
For more information on these projects go to: www.hawkandowl.org
17
Our nearest reserve is Shapwick Moor. This area was previously
farmed for a variety of arable crops.
R E S E RV E S
Hawk and Owl Trust
Hawk and Owl Trust
Shapwick Moor Nature Reserve
Nationally the Trust manages three reserves:
¡ S culthorpe Moor Community Nature Reserve – Norfolk
¡ S hapwick Moor Nature Reserve – Somerset Levels
¡ F ylingdales Moor Conservation Area – North Yorkshire Moors
The Hawk and Owl Trust is restoring it to flower-rich, semi-natural grassland
by volunteers from all the Trust’s groups in the South West.
Some land is being restored to fen. Rough grass margins are encouraging
owls and other birds of prey such as Hobbies, Buzzards, Barn Owls and
Kestrels and the small mammals they feed on. The restoration is also
attracting other wildlife including Otters and birds such as Lapwings. The
reserve is open year round and accessible by public and permissive paths.
Shapwick Moor forms part of the Avalon Marshes network of reserves.
For more information go to www.hawkandowl.org and follow the link.
HAWK AND OWL TRUST LOCAL GROUPS
The Trust local group network gives members of
the Trust opportunities to get involved in bird of
prey conservation in their local countryside and
holds regular meetings and talks during the year.
For details and diary dates for the South Gloucestershire Group go to:
www.hawkandowl.org/groups/south-gloucestershire
18
Support the
Hawk and Owl Trust
Hawk and Owl Trust
Make a Difference – Join the Hawk and Owl Trust
Please help by joining us. As a charity, (registered charity No. 1058565) the
Trust relies on membership subscriptions to provide the valuable funds to
help us carry on our vital work. Your subscription also gives the Hawk and
Owl Trust a stronger voice for these top of the food chain charismatic birds
on important issues such as the fight against illegal persecution.
Members receive the Hawk and Owl Trust’s colour magazine, “PEREGRINE”
(sent out twice a year), car sticker and pin badge plus regular newsletters
from the local group. Membership also gives you the option to get actively
involved in the Trust’s local conservation work.
Please go to www.hawkandowltrust.org and follow the “Join Us” link
where you can either join on line or download a membership form.
Owls and birds of prey in South Gloucestershire are under threat from:
¡
Lack of food due to loss of hunting habitat.
¡
Loss of natural nest sites due to building development.
Persecution by humans.
¡
The Hawk and Owl Trust South Gloucestershire Group is working to
address these issues by:
Working with landowners to create and manage vole-rich hunting
¡
habitat for birds such as the Barn Owl.
¡
Installing artificial nest sites to encourage birds to breed in locations
near good habitat.
Educating the public about birds of prey through talks and local
¡
events.
19
Adopt a Box with the
Hawk and Owl Trust
Hawk and Owl Trust
Adopt a Box as a special gift (Birthdays,
Christmas etc.) for family & friends. Adopting
a nest box through the Hawk and Owl Trust
is fun. You’ll be kept up to date with what is
going on in your adopted box. You will also
learn more about Barn Owls and the other
birds that use the special nest boxes that are
put up and monitored.
Because these birds are so special and Barn Owls
in particular, are protected by law, we cannot
tell you exactly where your box is. However,
the Trust’s experts, who are specially licensed,
regularly monitor the boxes. Adopt a box by going
to: www.hawkandowl.org and follow the link
where you can adopt on line or download an
application form. Remember – Adopting a box is
a lifeline for an owl family. For example, due to the
loss of natural nest sites (old farm buildings etc.) it
is estimated that that four in every five Barn Owls
now use nest boxes.
GIFT ADOPTION PACKS COMPRISE:
¡
Special adoption certificate
¡
Appropriate greetings card with your personal message
¡
A colourful owl sticker
¡
An illustrated guide to British owls and their pellets
¡
Two informative fact sheets
¡
Owl bookmark (1 of a series to collect)
¡
Colour newsletter – Adopt a Box News (sent out twice a year)
¡
Plus, each year – in November – adopters receive news of
their allocated nest box and the birds that have used it.
20
HOT Project ‘Kestrel Highways’
SITUATION
Hawk and Owl Trust
At the start of the project in 2008 Dr Robert Davies, the project consultant,
succinctly described the plight of the Kestrel project in Wales. He wrote:
“Kestrels Falco tinnunculus have experienced a dramatic population decline
in recent years in the UK. Total population size is thought to have fallen by 30%
over the last decade and the species has been placed on the “amber” list by
the BTO. Kestrels do not make their own nest but are reliant on holes in trees,
old crow’s nests, cavities in out buildings, suitable cavities in bales of hay/straw
etc. Like owls, Kestrels respond well to the provision of artificial nest boxes
especially if these can be sited in good feeding areas away from large raptors”
MISSION
Project “Kestrel Highways” is a Hawk and Owl Trust initiative to provide
much needed nest sites in the form of nest boxes for Kestrels in the areas
near to selected roads in the UK. Trust volunteers will erect and monitor
these sites. The success of the different sites and associated habitat will
provide valuable data on the factors that affect the breeding ecology of
these falcons. Because of this initiative, the Trust will:
¡
Raise public awareness of the plight of the Kestrel and demonstrate its
conservation work.
¡
Promote an interest in Kestrels by inviting the public and their children
to report sightings on the selected roads.
¡
Provide a project that will get HOT Groups involved in a team building
conservation activity that they will enjoy and develop.
¡
By its success, establish the need for additional “Kestrel miles” to
continue the project into the future.
EXECUTION
The plan is to erect a linear network of Kestrel nest boxes in the vicinity
of eight major roads in Great Britain. The work would be undertaken by
volunteers from local HOT Groups. Members of the public can be involved
in reporting sightings of hunting Kestrels as they journey along these roads.
Go to: www.hawkandowl.org & follow the link.
21
Have you seen this bird?
The South Gloucestershire Group of the Hawk and Owl Trust chose the
A38, B4058, A46 and A429 as its Kestrel Highway roads. Since the start of
the project the group have erected 50 Kestrel nest boxes in the vicinity of
these roads.
Hawk and Owl Trust
If you see a Kestrel within 1 mile of these roads please go to:
www.hawkandowl.org and follow the link to record your sighting.
Your information will help us to conserve this beautiful falcon.
22
Hawk and Owl Trust
Mobile Education Unit
Hawk and Owl Trust
The Hawk and Owl Trust South Gloucestershire Group have a mobile
education unit that we can bring along to schools, village fairs/
shows etc. in the area. This gives us the opportunity to spread the
conservation message for wild owls and birds of prey and a chance
for the public to meet some captive bred birds.
23
CONTACT
Hawk and Owl Trust
For contact details go to:
www.hawkandowl.org/groups/south-gloucestershire-group
Hawk and Owl Trust
Working for Wild Birds of Prey and their Habitats
All pictures in this Handbook are Copyright David Knowles with
the exception of Long-eared Owl p7 and Kestrel p21, which
are by David Kjear.
This Handbook is funded by the
South Gloucestershire Environment Grant
For further details contact: Grants Helpline 01454 865865
Grants Website http://tiny.cc/7ysg2w
SGC CREATIVE DESIGN • 9519 | 10 | 13