Suffolk: Owls set to get 100 new homes

BARN owl boxes are set to be seen being put up in a host of locations across Mid and West Suffolk over the coming months.

For people from Special Objectives for the Local Disabled (SOLD) in South Lowestoft have been commissioned by Suffolk Wildlife Trust to make 100 of the boxes to be installed between now and the end of October 2013.

The Trust’s nature networks co-ordinator Oka Last said for the first stage of the initiative up to 40 boxes will be put up by the end of March. The rest will be installed at community sites - village greens, woodland edges, village halls, other community green spaces and buildings - between August and October, after the bird breeding season.

“Boxes will be provided free of charge, but we will work on a first come, first served basis. Whether we go ahead and erect a nest box at a suggested site will depend on whether there is suitable habitat nearby. Once a nest box is installed a volunteer barn owl monitor will be trained to keep an eye on the nest boxes and thei-r occupants.”

Funds have come through SITA Trust’s Enriching Nature Programme with provides funding to biodiversity conservation projects through the Landfill Communities Fund.

SOLD is a charity supported by social services for people with sensory and physical impairment and manager Steve James said involvement with Suffolk Wildlife Trust’s barn owl box making programme is a constructive activity which helps raise people’s self esteem and gives them a sense of accomplishment.