Twit Twoo!

I have always had a grá for Owls...

 

Our house has an owl window; it perfectly frames a beautiful horse chestnut tree to the front of the house...

 

 While on honeymoon in Bali, we went to a craft village where one of the villagers carved this little guy from wood...

 

It's even creeping into my clothes from Swamp...
 

 

 I think they are such amazing creatures. 

I have only ever seen a real life owl once. It flew over my head one evening at dusk in the middle of a woodland area. It was an amazing sight.
 

 

Sadly, my husband recently informed me that their numbers are dwindling. In fact barn owl numbers have plummeted by 50% in the last 25 years. There may be just 450 pairs left in Ireland. The severe winter weather hasn't helped in recent years. Also their natural habitats are disappearing and the use of rodenticides has increased.

 

For the last number of weeks I have been following a series called Living The Wildlife which follows Emmy award winning cinematographer Colin Stafford-Johnson as he travels across Ireland in search of our most fascinating fauna. Episode 5 featured the barn owl. Colin travelled around Ireland with owl expert John Lusby who each summer monitors the barn owl chick population.

Look at Colin with this beautiful baby barn owl...

So I thought, what can I do to help this precious creature??

Well, it seems I could sponsor a Barn Owl Nest Box here...

 

Or as that costs €200, maybe I could make my own???

From what I read, it seems nest boxes should be erected around mid-March to allow for the nesting season to take place from April to July. Maybe I am too late for this year but I could be early for next year! Watch this space!

Have you ever erected a nest box?
Or are you lucky enough to have these beauties nesting nearby?