Friday 28 March

“We are so grateful for the support of all our sponsors who we have invited to this event as way of thanks for their support. We are also delighted with the wonderful job SOLD has done in supplying us with 250 well built barn owl boxes,” says Steve Piotrowski who heads the Suffolk Community Barn Owl Project.  

Suffolk Environment Trust, Essex and Suffolk Water, the Broads Authority, the Chadacre Agricultural Trust, the Naturesave Trust, Suffolk Coast and Heaths and Connect and Sustainable Development Fund all sponsor the Suffolk Community Barn Owl Project.

The Suffolk Community Barn Owl Project, an initiative being run by Suffolk Wildlife Trust in partnership with the Suffolk Ornithological Group, seeks to increase barn owl numbers and erect over 500 barn owl boxes in consultation with local communities by 2010.

For more information please contact Steve Piotrowski, Suffolk Community Barn Owl on 01986 893311/07702 341017 or Steve James manager of SOLD on 01502 512617

People can buy a box for their own land or adopt one of our boxes. For more information contact Oka Russell at Suffolk Wildlife Trust on 01473 890089.

ENDS

Notes to editors

People from SOLD (Special Objectives for the Local Disabled) in south Lowestoft have been commissioned by the Project to make most of its barn owl boxes using sustainable timber. This is a charity supported by social services for people with sensory and physical impairment. SOLD manager Steve James says involvement in the Suffolk Commuity Barn Owl Project is a constructive activity which helps raise people’s self esteem and gives them a sense of accomplishment.

There is evidence that barn owl numbers in Suffolk are recovering from the marked decline which has taken place since the 1930s. This may be due in part to new environmental schemes taken up by farmers, including leaving grassy margins around arable fields which encourages voles and other prey.

As the population recovers, the provision of nest boxes is relieving competition for the few remaining natural nest sites. Owls take readily to properly sited boxes. The Suffolk Community Barn Owl Project aims to erect over 500 barn owl boxes in suitable locations throughout the county. The project involves the whole community; parish councils can play a leading role; farmers and land owners are being consulted on the siting of nest boxes and schools, community groups and others with an interest in wildlife can contribute and benefit.