Racking your brains for a green Christmas present that will really make a difference – and be a lovely gift for anyone who cares about Britain’s wildlife? A Hawk and Owl Trust ‘Adopt a Box’ is ideal.
“Nestbox adoption costs just £15 and makes a superb present for anyone – of any age – who loves wildlife,” points out Mike Coleman, Adopt a Box officer for the Hawk and Owl Trust, which is now celebrating 40 years working for wild birds of prey and their habitats.
“Although the boxes are designed specifically for barn, tawny and little owls or kestrels, other fascinating species – from stock doves to mallards – sometimes beat them to it, or even nest alongside them. And hearing what’s been happening in your box is part of the fun of the present. Because fieldworkers check the nestboxes during the breeding season, we can give adopters information on their adopted box as well as a national overview.
“Nestboxes really are important to Britain’s owls. At the last count there were only about 4,000 breeding pairs in the whole of the country, and we think that four in every five of them depend on boxes for breeding. This is because so many old hollow trees have been felled and farm buildings converted for housing.
“To compensate for this increasing loss of traditional nest sites, a key part of the Hawk and Owl Trust’s conservation work over the past 20 years has been putting up nestboxes – in areas where there is plenty of prey.
“Anyone adopting a box, for themselves or as a gift for a friend or relation, is supporting our vital conservation, research and education work for owls and other birds of prey in the wild.”
Putting up large wooden nestboxes, which for barn owls are about the size of an old-fashioned tea chest, is specialist work that is carried out by trained fieldworkers. Then, during the breeding season, specially licensed conservationists monitor the boxes – which is why the Trust is able to send adopters news about their nestboxes.
An Adopt a Box subscription costs £15 a year. Sign up on line — www.hawkandowl.org
— or call 0844 984 2824. Adoption forms, including details of gift adoption, are also available from: Adopt a Box, Hawk and Owl Trust, PO Box 400, Bishops Lydeard,
Taunton TA4 3WH (please enclose a stamped addressed envelope),
email: enquiries@hawkandowl.org
ENDS –
Press enquiries only: Barbara Hall, tel: 020 8858 4154
Images of barn owls are available on request. This release is also available electronically on request.
See over for notes to editors
NOTES TO EDITORS
1. The Hawk and Owl Trust
Founded in 1969 to help save the peregrine, the Hawk and Owl Trust is a national charity which now works for the conservation and appreciation of all wild birds of prey and their habitats – both in its own nature reserves and in partnership with others. Working with other organisations, farmers, foresters and landowners, the Trust researches, restores and manages nesting, roosting and feeding habitats and encourages greater understanding and appreciation of these very special birds.
2. Adopting a nestbox
Adopt a Box subscribers can choose to adopt nestboxes in one of seven regions of Britain. Because it is essential the birds are not disturbed when rearing their young, the Hawk and Owl Trust cannot tell adopters exactly where their adopted nestboxes are. All birds of prey are protected by law and barn owls have additional protection.
