Natural England

A farmer from Rutland is delighted to find Barn Owls breeding on his farm. He is amazed to see the young fledglings at this time of year, as it would indicate an uncommon second brood.

Andrew Brown (43), from Weldon House Farm in Caldecott, discovered the three owlets in one of his riverside owl boxes, funded by Natural England. Barn Owls usually have one brood a year around April/July. However, it appears that the milder weather has meant that more field voles have been around this year, helping sustain the owlets throughout the summer and ultimately encouraged the adults to have a second brood.

As part of the Countryside Stewardship and Entry Level Stewardship (ELS) schemes, managed by Natural England, Andrew receives regular funding to help encourage the development of wildlife on his farm. Under the schemes he has built six owl boxes (which other birds of prey use too) and has been given better resources to manage ridge and furrow pastures, provide uncultivated field margins and rough riverside vegetation for barn owls and otters, restore hedges, pollard willow trees and replant hedgerow trees.

As a result, the farm has also seen a dramatic increase in the number of voles and mice, kingfishers, bats and tawny owls. Andrew said: “There’s nothing better than seeing these fantastic Barn Owls flying silently at dusk across the farm. Barn Owls are historically part of the British countryside, but have declined over the last 40/50 years. Thankfully, through Countryside Stewardship, ELS and a better use of pesticides, farmers are seeing an increase in all types of wildlife, which can only be a good thing.”

Jim Lennon, from Natural England, said: “Barn Owls are probably having one of the best years on record, with perhaps up to half of pairs in the area attempting to have second broods. My experience is that somewhere around just 10% would do this most years. Also, 2007 is a very good year for field voles, which is the Barn Owl’s main prey.”

Weldon House Farm is a 250 hectare mixed farm on which Andrew grows wheat, rape, barley and beans and keeps 100 beef cattle and 200 breeding sheep.

Today, most Barn Owls roost or nest in purpose-made nest boxes. Previously, they have preferred agricultural buildings and tree hollows, but due to changes in farming practices the vast majority of buildings have become disused and most traditional 1800s farm buildings have already disappeared and many older trees with natural nesting sites have been lost through Dutch Elm Disease. Once settled in their homes, Barn Owls generally use the same nest and roost sites for the rest of their lives.

More than 4,200 farmers in the East Midlands who have signed up for Entry Level Stewardship and Organic Entry Level Stewardship since March 2005 are receiving more than £20 million funding per year.

Funding is not restricted and is available now to all eligible farmers and land managers in the East Midlands. A variety of 50 options are available and farmers can choose those which suit their farm and business. For more information, please call Natural England on 08456 024 091.

Notes to Editors:

1) The owl boxes were erected by the local owl group. Barn Owls can only be monitored or disturbed at the nest if the person involved has a licence issued by Natural England.

2) Images of barn owls are available on request. Please call the number below…

3) Until the launch of Environmental Stewardship, Countryside Stewardship was the Government’s main scheme for the wider countryside, aiming, through the payment of grants, to improve the natural beauty and diversity of the countryside, enhance, restore and re-create targeted landscapes, their wildlife habitats and historical features, and to improve opportunities for public access.

4) Natural England has a Rural Support Team which develops, manages and implements the delivery of a referral process to dealing with farmers perceived as suffering from stress. Rural support activities are delivered through a network of regionally-based rural support contacts.

5) Natural England works for people, places and nature to conserve and enhance biodiversity, landscapes and wildlife in rural, urban, coastal and marine areas. We conserve and enhance the natural environment for its intrinsic value, the wellbeing and enjoyment of people, and the economic prosperity it brings.

Issued on behalf of Natural England by Government News Network East Midlands Media enquiries to Gaby Hateley on 0115 971 2797 or gabrielle.hateley@gnn.gsi.gov.uk