Owl Babies!

We have some very exciting news!
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Our nature reserve at Mill Lane Meadows in Sherfield English is now proudly home to four tawny owl chicks.

Gemma, the Reserve Officer, recently met with Matt from the Hawk Conservancy Trust on site to investigate potential nest box locations for barn owls, tawny owls and kestrels. During the visit, Matt checked a barn owl box that has been in place for a few years, and we were delighted to discover four healthy, beautiful tawny owl chicks calmly snoozing inside!

In addition to being a bird of prey specialist, Matt is also a licensed bird ringer with the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO). This qualification allows him to carefully remove chicks from the nest to fit an identification ring around their ankle. Ringing helps us track the birds’ success over time, such as how far they travel and where they establish territories.

This is huge news for TVBC sites, as it marks the first recorded instance of successful nesting by a bird of prey species – a real cause for celebration! To build on this success, more nest boxes will be installed at this site, as well as another near Romsey this autumn, helping to maintain momentum and provide further nesting opportunities for birds of prey.

Huge thanks to the Hawk Conservancy and we look forward to more partnership working later on this year!