By Ross Brewster

Last updated 12:49, Friday, 09 May 2008

THE World Owl Trust at Muncaster Castle is teaming up with wildlife rangers in the Grizedale Forest to launch a new barn owl conservation project.

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There are thought to be just 4,400 pairs of barn owls left living wild in the UK

Britain’s barn owl population has been in decline over the past fifteen years due in part to the use of pesticides and a reduction in the number of derelict buildings.

There are now only around 4,400 pairs of the species left living wild in the UK and they are protected by law under the Wildlife and Countryside Act.

Local experts have now stepped in to offer a helping hand as the breeding season begins.

The World Owl Trust and the Forestry Commission will work with local landowners to identify new suitable habitat and install a series of barn owl nest boxes to make up for the lack of natural breeding sites in the Rusland Valley.

The joint venture will seek to monitor the numbers and movement of barn owls in the area and contribute to a national barn owl study being undertaken by the British Trust for Ornithology and the Barn Owl Conservation Network.

The experts will also work with local barn owl enthusiasts to offer the creatures a choice of tempting retreats and help safeguard their future.

The World Owl Trust has provided the funding and organised the production of the new barn owl nest boxes.

Sue Thurley, UK conservation officer for the World Owl Trust at Muncaster, said: “There is already good local support for wildlife in the Rusland Valley area and this new project is a great opportunity to show how local people can turn ideas into practical barn owl conservation action.”

Sue and the Forestry Commission’s Iain Yoxall will also be assessing potential new breeding sites for signs of eggs and chicks over the coming weeks.

Barn owls live alone or in pairs and tend to mate for life. The female lays a clutch of four to seven eggs between April and early May, which hatch after about 33 days. The male helps feed the young and the chicks can fly after nine to 12 weeks.

They nest in farm buildings as well as churches, sheds and natural holes in trees. They inhabit farmland and other open country with scattered trees.

The Forestry Commission will provide an education room for the World Owl Trust to run local community training and awareness events for barn owl enthusiasts at the Grizedale Visitor Centre.