Tom had given me a call earlier in the week asking me to go round and check out his owl boxes as he had found lots of fresh pellets recently. His farm at Higher Whitley is a model of fantastic Barn Owl habitat with loads of rough grassland and broad six metre set-aside field margin strips. Similar attitudes for our wildlife would be so much welcome elsewhere. As we walked down the farm track we saw a Brown Hare running across the field and amidst the Winter stubble loads of Skylarks were taking to the air.
We have six boxes on the farm and when Roy and I visited today we were delighted to find that three of them contained healthy, brightly plumaged owls. Looking at the size and quantity of the owl pellets they are certainlty feeding well too!
This young chap was a new bird for us; a first year bird that had not previously been ringed; he is now sporting a shiny new bangle; GC 78649. Tom took loads of piccies and returned grinning like a Cheshire Cat. His efforts in farming for wildlife are to be applauded.
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