Cheshire Wildlife Trust is appealing to residents to help the barn owl thrive.
The iconic owl, with a distinctive heart-shaped face, was a common sight in Cheshire almost 100 years ago, but is now one of the most threatened species.
It has become Vulnerable to changes in agriculture, loss of feeding habitat and adverse weather.
The farmland bird numbers have declined dramatically in Cheshire in the past century.
Now Cheshire Wildlife Trust wants members of the public to support a new appeal to raise £20,000 to help the barn owl thrive.
Ben Gregory, farm and gowy manager at the Trust, said: “Barn owls need meadows and field margins where they can hunt for small mammals on which to feed, plus nest sites such as hollow trees and barns.
“Over time their hunting habitats and number of natural nesting sites have plummeted due to changes in agricultural practices and the redevelopment of old farm buildings.
“Those that do remain exist in isolation, often separated by busy roads, making travel between hunting grounds and nest sites perilous and increasing the number of road traffic deaths.
“Summer 2013 was the worst for barn owls in Cheshire, with just 19 pairs recorded, down 80% on the previous year.
“Although 2014 saw their numbers increase, they’re still nowhere near the 1930s peak of 240 breeding pairs.”
Cheshire Wildlife Trust believes connected landscapes and wildlife corridors will give it a fighting chance.
“With public support we can continue to look after high quality habitats to ensure barn owls have good food supplies and places to nest on our nature reserves and by working with farmers and local barn owl groups,” added Ben.
“Any amount, no matter how big or small, makes a significant impact.
“£10 pays for one metre of hedgerow where small mammals, the barn owl’s food source, lives, and £25 helps to maintain a barn owl box which can provide a nesting sanctuary to this bird of prey.
“Unfortunately, there isn’t much we can do about the weather.
“But by investing our resources in managing their habitat so they can feed and nest, we can make barn owls more resilient to nature’s other challenges.
For information about the appeal, and to donate, visit www.cheshirewildlifetrust.org.uk/barnowlappeal
(Pic: Natalie Webb, of Cheshire Wildlife Trust, with a barn owl)
Maybe if all the fields weren’t being built over