Nest box

Exploring Birds on the Farm 2024

/ Laura Tuke / 2 Comments

All my life I have loved nature and all it has to offer us, and over the years my knowledge of this aspect of our world has been ever growing. Within this, since 2019, I have been training as a bird ringer in Dorset, growing my passion for birds and enjoying experiencing and sharing this with others. I have had some really great experiences myself with birds in this way already, which has included exploring and beginning to ring the birds that call my family’s Dorset farm home, and giving me a new perspective of the wildlife on my doorstep.

In 2023, I had finally gained my bird ringing C permit with some restrictions, and could now ring endorsed species independently. With this under my belt, during that year I got to watch my local swallow population grow, take control of monitoring our barn owl population (under a Schedule 1 license), mist net in my garden on my own, and gain new endorsements. This all felt like such an achievement to me already.

Well last year, I was able to build on my previous years of bird ringing, and expand my projects on my family’s Dorset farm, to have the best year yet. I again monitored our farm’s swallow and barn owl populations, began monitoring my own tit populations, continued gaining more and more confidence solo mist netting, and worked towards increasing my permit endorsements. Check out how my year in birds on the farm went during 2024!

Swallows

Following a poor breeding season for my local swallows in 2022, with my own permit under my belt, in 2023 the swallows had a more positive season. From 10 nesting attempts on the farm and on my neighbours’ property, I was able to ring and watch 42 chicks fledge, alongside at least missing one brood of chicks being raised to fledging. It made me excited for what another year would bring for my local swallow population.

So moving forward to 2024, the swallows did not disappoint, with a long breeding season running from May to September. Across this time, 14 nesting attempts were made on the farm and on my neighbours’ property, more attempts overall than during the 2023 season. Of these 14 nesting attempts, 7 attempts were made by the same 3 pairs, with one pair managing 3 broods totalling 10 chicks in all. From all successful attempts, I was able to ring and watch 56 swallow chicks fledge, up by 14 for me on 2023.

Barn Owls

For many years my family’s farm has been a safe haven for breeding barn owls, which has been a real privilege to experience. In 2022, 2 pairs of barn owls bred on the farm, with both fledging 2 chicks each, and in 2023, just one pair was discovered breeding, but this pair successfully fledged 3 chicks.

At the very beginning of 2024, my dad put up an outside barn owl nest box, that I had bought him for christmas 2023, on the tree that barn owls had previously nested in. We did not expect it to be used for breeding during its first year up, but we were in for a big surprise. First, I was able to ring 3 lovely barn owl chicks from the barn nest box (following 3 chicks last year), and share doing so with my 7 and 4 year old nieces. One week later I was able to ring another 3 chicks, this time, fantastically, in our brand new field nest box. I was also able to share these chicks, this time with my Manchester buddy and fellow Zoology graduate, Emma Rogan. What a great year for barn owls on our farm!

Tit Nest Boxes

In 2024, I finally gained my cavity nesting pulli endorsement, which means I could now ring such chicks independently. Making the most of this opportunity, I added to the 4 tit nest boxes already set up on my family’s farm, and put up another 7 across different locations and habitats, to see how well they would do. Through May and June, I kept a close eye on all boxes, and ended with 6 of 11 being used to raise and fledge chicks successfully, all blue tit broods. In total, they gave me the opportunity to ring 44 blue tit chicks, with brood sizes ranging from 3 to 10, alongside one adult female caught at one of the nests.

Chicks Ringed For Training

In 2024, I was now working towards my full open nesting pulli endorsement for my permit. Blackbirds did well to add to my totals, with 4 nests being found easily around our farm and home (2 being attempts by the same pair). From these 4 attempts, I got the opportunity to ring and observe the fledging of 17 chicks, adding to only 4 chicks rung in 2023.

I also had a new chick species for me during 2024, in the form of the robin. Though I only found one nest during this time, I did get to ring 2 healthy chicks that were raised to fledging. Moving forward, in 2025, it would be my aim to try to further continue working towards my full endorsement.

Garden Mist Netting

During 2024, I mist netted solo in my own garden using 2 nets during both August and December, with 2 sessions completed during each month. In August, I caught a total of 28 birds, with 4 being retraps, and including house sparrows, dunnocks, great tits, blue tits, blackbirds, goldfinches, and robins. In December, I caught 74 birds, which was a greater number compared to August, due to them being more reliant on visiting the garden to feed. Thirteen of these birds were retraps, and species overall included house sparrows, dunnocks, great tits, blue tits, starlings, and coal tits. I really enjoyed being able to continue mist netting on my own patch during 2024, but as always I wished I had had more time to do so.

My Highlights and Hopes

During 2024, I had a great year with my ringing experiences at home on my family farm. I experienced our swallow population having their best year yet, with the same being said for our barn owls. Though we did not find tawny owls breeding on the farm during this particular year, I did get to do my first solo ringing of blue tit chicks, and ringed my first robin chicks too. I gained more confidence with mist netting on my own, whilst also gaining more experience with blackbird chicks.

Moving on from 2024, my main aims have been to increase my experience further with ringing open nesting species chicks, in the hopes of gaining my endorsement for my permit. I also hoped for an even better swallow year, to increase the number of tit boxes I would be monitoring during their breeding season, and to add some new nest boxes, such as kestrel to the farm. Overall, I just looked forward to being able to follow the bird breeding season once again.

12 Days of Laura’s Wild Photos 2024

/ Laura Tuke / Leave a comment

Last year, was a year full of colour and vibrancy for me, a year of adventures, many firsts, and always some learning curves. This also applies to my time spent in nature and my year immersed in my wildlife photography. From sitting amongst the bluebells and chasing after butterflies, to capturing red kites and watching sunsets, it has been a spectacular year as a whole.

To continue my new tradition, over the 12 Days of Christmas of 2024, I accompanied each day on social media with one of my nature photos taken with my camera, camera trap or phone. The aim is always to share my snapshots of nature’s hidden beauty, share some yet to be seen favourite photos, and simply to put a smile on people’s faces during the tough winter months.

Here are my latest 12 Days of Laura’s Wild Photos all in one place!

The 12 Photos

Day 1 – To begin my 12 Days of Laura’s Wild Photos for 2024, I chose a photo that made me think of winter, with it being taken during the winter months. I love the soft sunshine breaking through the trees and producing a pocket of light within the greys and browns of the sleeping woodland.

Day 2 – Last year was a year of many adventures and firsts for me, including in my wildlife photography. During May, I got the opportunity to watch and try photographing damselflies for the first time, as they courted over water, and attempted to mate and lay eggs. They are such fantastic coloured jewels to behold!

Day 3 – This beautiful Small Copper butterfly was a bright spot of colour for me during an autumnal October day. It was wonderful to see these butterflies flitting around my family’s new wildflower meadow, courting on the wing. It was exciting to see these butterflies choosing to lay eggs here already, despite it only being our meadow’s very first year!

Day 4 – I have captured fantastic sunsets from Canada to Kenya, so I am always trying to find new and wonderful ways to capture their never-ending beauty. They are one of my favourite subjects to photograph, and understandably this photo fills me with such joy including from the experience of taking the photo itself.

Day 5 – For day 5 of my 12 days, I wanted to include a photo of one of my highlights of 2024, my boy Rook. I had for 9 months looked forward to my cow Raven calving for the first time, and Rook was finally born in April, a week overdue. I enjoyed watching him grow bigger and bigger, and develop a character of his own.

Day 6 – Whenever I needed a mindful moment this autumn, I would escape to our wildflower meadow with my camera. This year my family and I trialled the planting of this meadow with wildflower seeds to see how it would turn out. Well for the first year, it has done well, growing a large diversity of species and becoming a splash of colour as flowers began to pop up throughout the autumn.

Day 7 – For the last day of 2024, I posted a simple photo of a hedgehog feeding from a plate. What is special about it though, is that it marks one evening of many throughout the summer months when a hedgehog would appear before sunset to find food. This tends to signify a lack of wild food available for our hedgehogs, but it was still a great opportunity for me to get to know the hedgehogs in our local area.

Day 8 – Another of my firsts for 2024 was capturing red kites on the wing in flight. This photo comes from a collection taken during this shoot, when red kites were hunting over a field that was being cut and baled. If you look closely, you can see that this particular bird had some success!

Day 9 – 2024 was a year for me full of incredible wildlife moments and adventures in my happy place out in nature. This included sightings from my camera traps of wildlife ranging from hungry hedgehogs to inquisitive foxes. Some of the best characters though, came in the form of a family of chilled out badgers, including this badger that just needed a sit down!

Day 10 – Though I love being out in nature all year round, spring always ends up being my favourite season of the year. It’s a time of hope, new life and incredible natural beauty, which always inspires me in my capturing of the natural world. Here’s just one of the many, many photos from spring 2024, that fills me with joy for the season to come this year!

Day 11 – During 2024, I also had the pleasure of getting to observe my very first nuthatch nest of my bird ringing career. It was amazing to be able to watch as these chicks overtime grew from looking like little dinosaurs to beautifully feathered nuthatch fledglings. This all happened in the matter of a couple of short weeks!

Day 12 – I saved my favourite photo until last during my 12 Days of Laura’s Wild Photos, with this photo showing one of my favourite spring sights. There is nothing quite like a beautiful rich blue carpet of bluebells set against the lush green of new woodland growth. It fills me with joy and the motivation to enjoy another year of the natural wonders in my local area and further afield.

For now it is time to make the most of the last of our winter months, and to look forward to new wild adventures to come!

Breeding Birds on the Farm 2023

/ Laura Tuke / Leave a comment

In memory of Trevor Squire

My love of birds can be first originated with my grandfather, who enjoyed sharing his own passion with me when I was child, even before my own began. In time, my mum passed her own knowledge on to me, but it took me going off to university to finally realise how much fascination bird species hold for me. Once I returned home to Dorset after completing my Master’s, I then got the opportunity to begin my training as a bird ringer in 2019 with a very special local trainer, Trevor Squire.

Last year I posted on my blog all about the birds breeding on my family’s farm in Dorset throughout 2022, whilst working to apply for my C permit (check it out here). That year I encountered 2 broods of kestrel chicks, 3 broods of swallow chicks, 2 broods of barn owl chicks, and 2 great mornings ringing in my own garden to build my confidence with a range of species.

Moving in to 2023, I had now gained my C permit with restrictions, and could begin to ring with more independence whilst exploring the bird life on my family’s Dorset farm. Unfortunately, no kestrel nests were discovered on the farm during 2023, as our local population were hit hard by avian flu. There was still lots of bird fun to be had though, so read on to find out what I got up to.

Swallows

In 2022, the swallow population around my home had a tough year and a very poor breeding season, which may be because less pairs returned to start with. In total, I discovered 6 nests, but only 3 fledged chicks, 12 in total. So in 2023, with my new C permit now giving me the endorsement to ring swallow chicks on my own, I hoped for more luck for my swallows.

I began nest checks again on the 25th May and over the course of the breeding season I discovered 6 different nests in use, with 4 being used again for 2nd broods. I am very happy to say that I had the pleasure of ringing 42 swallow chicks from 11th June to 16th September. Knowing that some chicks even fledged before I had the chance to ring them, 2023 was a very good year for my swallow population in comparison to 2022.

Barn Owls

Those who follow my blog will already know that barn owls are a species that are very special to my family, with these birds being intertwined with farmland in Dorset. Barn owls are a great indicator of the state of nature on farmland, and have been followed closely on our land since 2019, helping to influence management. Check out my Barn Owl page for more stories.

In 2022, the barn owls had a good year on the farm, with 2 pairs nesting at opposite ends of our land, one in an annually used nest box and another in the same tree as a pair of kestrels. Both pairs went on to have 2 chicks fledge successfully, which was a big positive for the barn owl population in our area.

For 2023, I now had my C permit that had the inclusion of an endorsement for me to ring barn owl chicks on my own. We had high hopes for our barn nest box once again, having seen 2 owls hunting around the farm over the winter, and courting around the box in early spring. On checking the box on the 2nd June, we were happy to discover 3-4 young chicks. I used these chicks as an opportunity to gain confidence, and ringed 3 good sized chicks alongside my ringing trainer on the 7th July. We had hoped to discover a second pair breeding on our farm again in 2023, but we are very happy that at least 2 of the barn box chicks were seen to go on to fledge successfully. This is a definite improvement on only 1 chick in 2021!

Chicks Ringed of New Species

As on my newly acquired C permit I only have endorsements to ring swallow, kestrel, and barn owl chicks, in 2023 I aimed to ring chicks from other species alongside my ringing trainer to expand on my C permit in time.

On the farm in 2023, I got to ring my first brood of blackbird chicks (4), blue tit chicks (7), and starling chicks (1). The highlight though was one of our tawny owl boxes finally producing a healthy brood of 2 tawny owl chicks. A great start to increasing my experience, whilst I also got the opportunity to ring at other sites, such as checking tawny owl boxes with another ringing group.

Garden Mist Netting

In 2022, ahead of applying for my C permit, I got to spend 2 mornings mist netting and ringing in my own garden with another ringing trainer. This was an exciting first for me, made even greater by catching 192 new birds of 9 species, the highlight being some lovely starlings.

For 2023, I got to experience a new first, mist netting and ringing in my garden all on my own. Through June and July, I spent 6 mornings ringing in my garden, and managed the situation each time, so as to only catch as many birds as I could deal with on my own at one time. Over these mornings I caught 90 new birds of 11 species (1 robin, 7 chaffinches, 11 blue tits, 44 house sparrows, 1 blackbird, 13 great-spotted woodpeckers, 2 goldfinches, 3 dunnocks, 6 great tits, 1 starling, and 1 greenfinch), and learnt alot from acquiring this experience already. My highlight was definitely the greenfinch, as it was a beautiful adult male and my very first greenfinch ever ringed!

Here’s to 2024 being as interesting!

All birds were ringed under license and following rules to ensure the health and welfare of the birds handled at all times.

Breeding Birds on the Farm in 2022

/ Laura Tuke / 1 Comment

In the heart of rolling Dorset, you can find my family’s home, a 250 acre mixed dairy farm with the hope of producing food alongside conserving and promoting nature. As a naturalist and conservationist, the farm is my base for exploring, learning and putting ideas into practice. With an increasing variety of habitats, there is an increasing amount of wildlife to experience, explore and enjoy, in particular a fantastic diversity and abundance of bird species (explore my blog for more adventures).

In 2019, I got the opportunity to begin training as a bird ringer with a local trainer, which was one skill that I always wanted to gain. Whilst working towards gaining my next permit, a C permit, my training has allowed me to acquire greater knowledge and a new perspective of the birds that call my family’s farm home. In 2022, my C permit was in reach and my training gave me some new experiences and some continued fantastic moments. Whilst the breeding season for birds currently plays out for 2023, I want to look back on my experiences for 2022 to see what can be learnt, including our amazing barn owls.

Kestrels

In previous years on the farm, we have known kestrels have been breeding here, but not where they were nesting. In 2021, we did find one nest within a hole in an ash tree, where a pair hatched 3 chicks. Two weeks later though, at the end of June that year, bad weather unfortunately led to the chicks not surviving, potentially due to the nest being exposed to the harsh weather. Thankfully in 2022, this same hole was used again by a pair of kestrels, and they successfully reared 3 chicks fledging in the first week of July, and I was lucky to have the opportunity to ring them too.

I was as well lucky enough to discover another pair of kestrels nesting in a hole in an oak tree at the other end of the farm. This pair was also successful, raising 4 chicks to fledging in the second week of July, that again I got to ring when they were still in the nest. With spring having been odd this year, kestrels are late breeding, so it will be interesting to see how it plays out for them.

Swallows

Year-on-year, the swallows return to nest within our farm buildings and our neighbour’s outbuildings, and still do so even if population numbers are not as high as they used to be. For 2022, I began my nest checks of the two properties as part of my ringing training on the 25th May. During this check I found 5 nests in use, with one already containing eggs. These 5 eggs hatched on the 27th May, and marked the start of a rocky breeding season for the swallows. With the first round of nests, 4 nests got to the chick stage, but only 2 fledged chicks (3 and 5 respectively). One of these nests then successfully went on to rear another brood of 4 chicks to fledging, though most pairs did not re-nest as the weather was very hot and dry last summer. Fingers crossed for a better year this year!

Barn Owls

Barn owls go hand-in-hand with my family’s farm, so it is unsurprising that they are my father’s favourite bird species. With our nest box being a popular site each year, since 2019, barn owl chicks have been ringed on the farm by my ringing group, even before I started with my own ringing training. In 2021, Barn owls had a tough year though, with bad weather having an impact on their success rate on the farm. Thankfully in 2022 they had more luck, with a pair nesting in our box hatching 5 chicks, varying in size, at the end of June. They went on to successfully fledge 2 chicks. The icing on the cake was discovering another barn owl pair nesting in a hole in the ash tree also used by one of our kestrel pairs. These particular barn owls hatched eggs at the beginning of June, and went on to fledge 2 chicks too. Fantastic!

Garden Visitors

In 2022, as I worked towards finishing my training to get my bird ringing C permit, I got to do 2 days of ringing in my garden for the very first time. Though fairly small, our garden is a hub of avian activity daily, so I was excited to see what mist nets would catch. On the first day we caught 100 new birds (30 house sparrows, 30 great tits, 23 blue tits, 7 starlings, 4 chaffinches, 2 robins, 2 blackbirds, and 2 great-spotted woodpeckers), with a lot being juveniles. On the second day, 2 1/2 weeks later, a morning spent mist netting caught another 101 birds, with 92 being new (33 blue tits, 33 house sparrows, 7 great tits, 4 chaffinches, 3 robins, 3 great-spotted woodpeckers, 1 blackbird, and 1 goldfinch). It was really interesting to get the opportunity to get an idea of how many birds there really are in my area and producing young each year. Apparently alot!

All birds were ringed under license and following rules to ensure the health and welfare of the birds handled.

I look forward to seeing what 2023 will shape up to be!

Beautiful Barn Owls Breeding In 2021

/ Laura Tuke / 1 Comment

Heart racing with excitement as I take that first step on to the ladder. One step, two step, and the next and the next, until I reach the box high in the rafters of the empty barn. Tap, tap on the side of the box to double check that the adult has left, before reaching quietly for the latch. As I carefully open the little door to the box, I then get my first peak of what may lay inside. There, at the back of the box, balls of downy feathers topped each with a pair of inquisitive eyes outlined by a heart of new feathers. Hope, elation, and pure joy – Original Piece

Iconic, distinct, and delightful, Barn Owls are a much-loved species of the British countryside. This protected species is often less commonly seen though, emerging on silent wings to hunt mainly at dawn and dusk. They are a particularly special species for my family, being an important indicator of the health of British farmland, such as our own, whilst also being a charismatic species to live alongside.

My family’s relationship with Barn Owls began in 2015, with the putting up of a nest box in one of our farm barns. Though Barn Owls have always been in our area, previously in very low numbers, our nest box finally allowed us to draw a pair of Barn Owls right into the heart of our farmland. This box has led to 7 years, so far, of regular Barn Owl sightings, the annual ringing of chicks, and a growing Barn Owl population. To find out more about the last 7 years, check out my previous Barn Owl blog posts.

The year of 2020 was a tough one for humans, but a more productive one for Barn Owls. Though we did not end up discovering any wild nesting pairs on the farm that year, we once again had Barn Owls in our barn nest box. The pair hatched 4 chicks from 4 eggs, and raised 2 successfully to fledging in August. This was a special moment as these were the very first Barn Owl chicks that I got to ring myself. Following this success, we had a super winter of seeing Barn Owls hunting every day the weather was settled.

For 2021, I had the privilege of getting more involved in Barn Owl nest box checks across Dorset with Conservation Action (CA). This project aims to preserve and conserve nature, to promote wildlife conservation, and to undertake research and monitoring of wildlife populations. As part of CA’s work, the last few years Barn Owl boxes have been checked on Dorset County Council farms (in which my family’s farm originally came under). From being involved in some of these nest box checks and from a few private Barn Owl boxes (not including my family’s own), I got to check 6 boxes and ring 10 chicks. It was a great experience, not to be missed!

My own Barn Owl nest box was first checked last year on the 15th June. On this day we found that the resident pair had hatched 4 chicks from 4 eggs in the box, all 4 being under 7 days old. We were also able to catch and ring the adult female, allowing us to identify her as a first time breeder at 2 years old. We then made sure the Barn Owls were not further disturbed for a month, before excitingly checking the box once again. Unfortunately the 2 smallest chicks and 1 of the larger chicks did not make it, probably due to the weather, leaving 1 strong healthy chick to survive to fledging.

What happened with our Barn Owls fitted in with the trend for 2021. Out of 81 boxes checked, only 21 boxes (26%) were being used by a pair, down from 39% in 2020. This reflects that Barn Owls were having a more difficult year, following a cold, then wet spring. Despite this, on average 2 owlets survived per box, a better statistic, reflecting the similar brood size average for 2020. With such turbulent weather, we were still very happy to have one Barn Owl chick fledge from the box in 2021.

After another winter (2021-2022) seeing Barn Owls hunting most days, we are looking forward to this year’s Barn Owl breeding season. By now we have seen a pair regularly around our nest box and have made a first licensed check of the box. Things are looking positive, so stay tuned to see how breeding goes on my family’s farm this year. Each year habitat changes and improves on our land, so we will also be interested to see how a new year and hopefully more stable weather will affect our Barn Owls. Here’s to a hopefully more successful 2022!

Barn Owls are a protected species, so all nest boxes were checked under full license, with all Barn Owls being ringed under license and special supervision. All birds handed were always put first in all situations, with minimum disturbance being made to the nesting birds and sites. Barn Owls are ringed to allow us to gain greater knowledge of this species to help better conserve this species and their preferred habitats.

How to… Make Your Own Bird Nest Box

/ Laura Tuke / Leave a comment

As our summer visitors, such as Swallows and Willow Warblers, leave us for sunnier shores, and we wait for our winter returnees, such as Redwings, the world outside our doors is slowing down and wildlife is preparing for the colder times to come. Autumn is a time for extraordinary spectacles, storing up food and changing colours, but also a time for us to do our bit, to help our wild neighbours with their preparations, and to prepare for a new year to come. This can range from cleaning ponds and putting out food, to planting trees and creating wood piles. It is also importantly a time to provide new homes for nature.

Previously, in spring/summer I posted on my blog about how to make a home for nature in the form of a bee hotel (see How to… Make Your Own Bee Hotel). A bee hotel is aimed at providing solitary bees (90% of UK bee species) with a place to nest, and for my blog I made a bee hotel that has now had some success. There are other forms of homes that we can make for wildlife though, for example for different species of bird.

In the UK, more than a quarter of all bird species are of the highest conservation concern, with a decline in breeding birds (44 million) between 1967 and 2009. This means that conserving and creating habitat for birds is an important issue, and something we can all get involved in. One example of an easy way is to put up nest boxes, which mimic natural habitat. They create an effective artificial cavity for birds, providing an accessible alternative for species that are currently experiencing the loss of breeding habitat and winter roosting sites.

Nest boxes come in a variety of shapes, sizes and designs, which will depend on the species of choice and the purpose they need to fulfill. Though you can put up a nest box at any time of year, the best time is right now, ready to be used as a roosting site throughout winter and for breeding in the spring. This way you can increase the chance of your nest box being a success next year. There are no set rules though, so why not try making your own today!

How to Make a Bird Nest Box

What you need:

  • A plank or offcuts of untreated wood, about 15mm thick for insulation
  • Tape measure & pencil
  • Hand or power saw
  • Drill & different sized drill bits
  • Sand paper
  • Hammer & nails
  • Screws
  • Sealant, a piece of rubber or something similar
  • Optional: Hole plate

Step by Step Guide:

  1. Decide on your nest box design. Your nest box will most likely be aimed at a certain species, such as Robins or House Sparrows. You can also choose particular design features, such as a flat or apex roof. For the purpose of this guide though, I will provide instructions to make a standard Tit nest box.
  1. Use a tape measure and pencil to mark out the wood you need, either by creating templates out of paper or cardboard, or by drawing straight onto the wood. For this design you will need 6 pieces: a back (45cm x 15cm); a base (11cm x 15cm); a front (21cm x 15cm); a roof (20cm x 15cm); and 2 side panels (25cm high at the back, 20cm high at the front, and 11cm wide). Use a hand or power saw to cut the wood into the 6 pieces needed.
  1. Next, take the front panel and use a wide drill bit to make a hole towards the top of the panel, at least 125mm up, which the birds will use to enter the nest box. The size of the hole will vary between different species, but for my nest box I made a 25mm hole, aimed at Blue Tits and similar Tit species.
  1. Use sand paper to sand down any rough or uneven edges of the wood, that otherwise could cause problems for birds using the box.
  1. Use a hammer and as many nails as you need to make the back, base, sides and front fit together forming the main body of the nest box. It is often best to mark where the nails will go first and partially drive each nail through the first piece of wood first (e.g. the back), which will make nailing the pieces together easier and help avoid splitting the wood.
  1. Attach the roof to the box using screws that you can later remove when needing to clean the nest box out. Seal the gap between the roof and the back of the nest box with either flexible sealant or an attached flap of recycled rubber.

Optional editions: Add a nest box hole plate to the front of the box to prevent predators from enlarging the nest box hole and larger bird species using the box. Also, you could apply a water-based wood preservative product to the outside of the box to prolong its life and help to repel water.

Tips on putting your nest box up

  • Unless there is shade during the day, position the nest box facing between north and east to avoid strong sunlight.
  • Choose a location which is 2-4 metres above ground level, out of reach of predators, and away from constant disturbance.
  • Make sure there is a clear flight path to the entrance of the nest box and that there is shelter from bad weather.
  • Place your box away from the location of any other nest boxes to reduce the chances of competition.
  • Avoid using nails to attach the box to a tree, as they may cause harm. Instead try to tie the box to the trunk or hang it, or otherwise use stainless steel screws or nails that do not rust.

Enjoy!

Breeding Barn Owls 2020

/ Laura Tuke / 1 Comment

Feathers fluffy, downy, soft to the touch. A heart of feathers outlining inquisitive eyes. A new beginning, hints of the precious adult to come. A hope, a prayer, a future. An endearing beginning for the reticent guardian of twilight – Original Piece

As a very unusual summer comes to an end, with it also comes the end of another breeding season for the Barn Owls that call my family’s farm home. For many years now, Barn Owls have increasingly become an important species on the farm, giving an indication of habitat quality and changes in the environment.

Last year the Owls had their best year yet, with two separate pairs on the farm, one nesting in a tree and one in a nest box, fledging two chicks each. It was also the start of Barn Owl chicks being ringed on the farm, which was very exciting for us all. If you want to read more about these Barn Owls, take a look at my previous posts, including Barn Owls in the Depths of Dorset, and Barmy about Barn Owls.

This Year

This year has been another year filled with the joys of this species. From sightings around the farm throughout the seasons, to fledged chicks during the summer, it has been really special. This year we were not lucky enough to have 2 known pairs breed again on the farm, but we were lucky enough to have 1 pair breed in our Barn Owl nest box. In the end the pair hatched 4 chicks, with 2 surviving to successfully fledge in August, which was exciting nonetheless. Though no Barn Owls have bred in the old oak tree this year, it has also been actively used, becoming a popular roosting site for one or more individuals.

Conservation Action and the Barn Owl chicks

Following our Barn Owl chicks being ringed last year, I have now joined the North Dorset-based Conservation Action group, becoming a trainee bird ringer. Conservation Action is a group of experienced ornithologists and BTO trained ringers, dedicated to conserving and preserving the natural environment, ringing bird species to increase knowledge, and raising awareness of conservation efforts in younger generations. Focuses range from migrating species in Autumn to Owls and my favourites, the birds of prey.

Last year Conservation Action monitored a total of 47 Barn Owl nest boxes across Dorset, leading to 66 Barns Owls being successfully ringed (63 owlets and 3 adults). It was a great year for Barn Owls and Conservation Action alike!

Now a member of Conservation Action and a trainee bird ringer, this year I was very excited at the prospect of Barn Owls breeding once again on our land. For this breeding season I got the opportunity to become an accredited agent under a Schedule 1 Permit, meaning that I was fully licensed to assist with Barn Owl nest box checks and monitoring, including our very own box. So it was an absolute privilege to be able to ring, under supervision, my very own 2 Barn Owl chicks this year. Such incredible birds and such a special experience, which was made all the better by getting to experience it alongside my parents and 2 year old niece!

Their Importance

Barn Owls are one important indicator species for farmland and grassland in Britain, meaning that they can tell us a lot about the condition of these habitats. With Barn Owls having made a comeback to my family’s farmland, it has also shown how changes to land management can restore and create habitat for wildlife, including for other species with related habitat needs (for more information see my post Giving Nature a Home on the Farm).

Barn Owls have also helped me to find out more about the small mammal species living on our land. This has been through dissecting pellets left by the owls, that I have previously written about in my post: How to… Be a Barn Owl Pellet Detective. For example, pellets from the roost tree have shown remains belonging to Bank Voles, Field Voles, Common Shrews, and Brown Rats, whereas pellets from the nest box barn have shown remains belonging to Field Voles, Bank Voles, Common Shrews, Pygmy Shrews, and Mice.

Moving Forward

After this year’s Barn Owl breeding season, and the excitement of Barn Owls continuing to breed on the farm, things are looking exciting for the future! It will be interesting though, to see how Barn Owls fared across Dorset and the UK this year as a whole, and to see if the farm’s 1 breeding pair followed the general trend. I also look forward to now getting more involved in monitoring Barn Owls in Dorset, spreading word of the work Conservation Action are doing, and the potential of ringing more of my own Barn Owls next year!

On the farm we now aim to continue working with Barn Owls and other wildlife in mind, and to monitor the success of new projects, including putting up nest boxes for Kestrels, Tawny Owls and Little Owls. In many ways the future looks bright to me!

Giving Nature a Home on the Farm

/ Laura Tuke / 2 Comments

‘Give fools their gold, and knaves their power; let fortune’s bubbles rise and fall; who sows a field, or trains a flower, or plants a tree, is more than all’ – John Greenleaf Whittier 

‘Your deepest roots are in nature. No matter who you are, where you live, or what kind of life you lead, you remain irrevocably linked with the rest of creation’ – Charles Cook

My family and I live on a 250 acre mixed dairy farm in the heart of beautiful Dorset, complete with sheep and beef cows. My parents took the farm on from Dorset County Council in 1995, at a time when it was only 50 acres, and have now expanded it to the 250 acres it is today. As long as I can remember, the farm has been my home. It is a part of who I am, providing the backdrop for me to learn about the natural world, to make informed decisions about how I live my life, and to become passionate about conservation. I have my parents to thank for this.

In 2019, the latest State of Nature report showed that agricultural change has been the largest driver of biodiversity loss over the last 45 years in the UK. With 72% of UK land area being used for agriculture and food production, land management changes have had a significant impact on the wildlife that call these areas home. As we now move forward, we need to focus on agriculture, not with contempt and negativity, but with optimism. If we are to continue to produce food in the UK, we need to focus on working with farmers to make farming sustainable, cost-effective, and most importantly with wildlife in mind.

Growing up on a farm, I have always been aware of how agriculture is heavily intertwined with the environment. My Mum and Dad have always believed in their roles as guardians for the wildlife and natural habitats that call our land home, and are dedicated to conserving and increasing biodiversity. Though it can be tough to create a balance, my Dad believes that farming, through careful management, can produce food in an economically sustainable way, whilst supporting and enhancing the natural environment. Here are some of the examples of how my family are successfully working to give nature a home on our farm.

(1) The Bridge Field

Project:

The field is a small, triangular-shaped, 3 acre field, bordered by hedges and a river. It was taken on in 2014 with some other land, and is less ideal for agricultural use due to its shape and often being wet. Hence, it has been left untouched, apart from one late cut of haylage each year and dock management. This year my parents decided to begin the process of restoring the land, with the aim of giving it back to nature.

So far:

  • At the beginning of the year, we bought in and planted 219 native tree and shrub saplings of 9 species, including Goat Willow and Rowan. The hope is to create a rich and valuable habitat for wildlife.
  • We began managing the grass in the field, which is mainly Yorkshire Fog, to increase species composition. The grass has formed a dense stand across the field and is currently excluding nearly all other species.

Next aims:

  • See how the trees and shrubs grow on
  • Plant natural wildflower species using plugs, bulbs and seeds
  • Create a water source, such as a pond
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(2) The Chalk Mound

Project:

Towards the centre of our land you can find a small triangular area of land that is bordered by hedges and a track. My parents took on this area with some other land in 2014, but it was not anything special. In 2017, my Dad decided to use it to make a small piece of chalk habitat, in our clay area, acting as a perfect stopover location between chalk downland to the north and south of us.

So far:

  • We bought in 40 tonnes of quarried chalk and shaped it into a mound which is 10m by 3m, and 2m in height.
  • We planted a selection of plant plugs and seeds gifted to us, ranging from Quaking Grass and Kidney Vetch to Rough Hawkbit and Lady’s Bedstraw.
  • For the first year, the mound was regularly watered as the plant plugs and seeds became established, but after that they were left to grow on, with minimal management.

Next aims:

  • Continue to enjoy the now thriving habitat that is attracting lots of insects, from butterflies to bees
  • Boost numbers of certain species such as Wild Thyme
  • Complete autumn management of the encroaching Yorkshire Fog grass at the mound’s edges

(3) Wildflower Verges and Rough Areas

Project:

As part of managing our land, my Dad leaves areas and verges uncut and able to thrive, providing valuable habitat for wildlife. One of my Dad’s inspirations for doing this is to provide rough grassland habitat for his favourite bird, the Barn Owl. Barn Owls use such areas to hunt, as it provides cover for their rodent prey. It is also great habitat for other species, such as the majestic Brown Hare.

Different forms so far:

  • Fenced off areas to keep livestock out but allow wildlife in.
  • Verges and strips left to grow up and increase in species diversity.
  • Wildflower verges planted to provide food for different species at different times of year.
  • Field margins created, maintained and protected, meaning a field is never worked up to the hedgerows.

Next aims:

  • Allow areas to continue to increase in diversity and composition
  • Continue to create a mosaic of habitats on the land

(4) Trees and Woodlands

Project:

I am a huge fan of trees, and my family are no different. Throughout our land you will find lots of different species, such as Ash, Alder, Wild Cherry and Oaks, varying in size, shape, and age. They play very important and varying roles in the landscape, from singular trees in fields and hedgerows, to the many growing in copses and woodlands around the farm. We now want to continue to preserve them and increase their numbers.

So far:

  • Over many years, we have been planting more trees wherever we can, with this year’s main project being the Bridge Field.
  • We continue to look after and manage the small woodland areas on our land.
  • We are putting up lots of different nest boxes around the farm, from small Tit boxes to larger Owl boxes.

Next aims:

  • Put up more nest boxes, including Little Owl and Kestrel
  • Monitor nest box use each year
  • Allow trees, such as mature Oaks, to naturally age and return to the ground

(5) Hedgerows

Project:

On my family’s land there are a lot of hedgerows, which are a hugely important habitat for a whole host of wildlife. They range in age and composition, including species such as Spindle, Blackthorn, Ash and Dog Rose. They also provide different services, such as food and shelter, throughout the course of a year, for lots of different species.

So far:

  • We carefully manage hedgerows with wildlife in mind each year.
  • Hedgecutting is practiced on a rotational basis and in late winter if the ground holds up. They are only cut by my Dad or brother who are skilled at cutting the hedges correctly and with care.
  • We annually manage and maintain field margins and ditches.
  • Hedgelaying has been used in the past but only when a hedge is in need of restoration.

Next Aims:

  • Maintain the high standard of hedgerows
  • Allow diversity to continue to increase

Future Aims

With 41% of species in decline since 1970, biodiversity loss and the latest State of Nature report cannot be overlooked. Whilst there is still hope that we can bring things back from the brink, and reverse the decline, to do so we need to act now. We need to create more homes for wildlife, protect what is left of our natural environment, and manage land with wildlife in mind.

On the farm this process is in full swing and gaining momentum each year. In this way, we are trying to make our land more wildlife friendly, managing and creating habitats for wildlife. Now, Skylarks can be heard singing all around the farm each morning, Brown Hares are increasing in number, Butterfly and Moths are becoming more species diverse, and Yellowhammers are becoming increasingly common. There are so many more examples from the big to the small, from Hedgehogs to Newts, but my Dad’s favourite has to be his Barn Owls. Over the last few years Barn Owls have made our land their regular home, with 2 Barn Owl pairs successfully breeding last year!

My Dad now wants to continue my Mum’s and his work dedicated to the environment, from helping farmland birds to reducing our carbon footprint. He wants to continue to show how conservation and increasing biodiversity can go hand in hand with conventional farming, allowing food to be produced whilst looking after the environment. A great example of this is the RSPB’s Hope Farm in Cambridgeshire, an arable farm where careful and targeted management is now having results. It makes me optimistic that if we now focus on working with farmers to give nature a home on their farms in the right way, then this could make a real difference to reversing species decline in the future.

30 Days Wild 2020: My Wild Month

/ Laura Tuke / 1 Comment

I have always lived a wild life. For this I have my family to thank, being raised in the middle of the beautiful Dorset countryside, immersed in everything Mother Nature has to offer. It has been my playground, my classroom, my escape, and my counsellor. It is a part of who I am. This is why I am so passionate to protect and conserve our natural world, and why I now make it my mission to share all it has to offer with the rest of the world.

So when I heard about 30 Days Wild, I just had to get involved! The month-long challenge aims to bring people closer to nature, get people learning and exploring, and make a positive difference for wildlife in the UK. This year I made it my goal to spread the word, and before the month started, I began blogging about the challenge in the hope of inspiring others to also get involved (check out How to… Get involved in the June 30 Days Wild challenge). The response was amazing!

Once June was under way, I also made 30 Days Wild a focus of each and every day for the whole of the month. I got to try some new things, learn some new knowledge, help some worthy causes, share with others about nature and wildlife, and most importantly, I got to explore and spend valuable time out in nature. I enjoyed every minute, so join me now as I take a look back at how wild my month of June really was!

Wall Chart

30 Days Wild – June 2020

Day 1 – Monday 1st (Work):

For the very first day of my 30 Days Wild, I started with a bang, showing my support for my local Wildlife Trust by becoming a member. By joining Dorset Wildlife Trust, I have joined 25,000 other members helping to conserve and safeguard wildlife in Dorset and on my doorstep. I look forward to now doing my bit!

Day 2 – Tuesday 2nd (Work):

For my second day, I was faced again with the challenge of completing a Random Act of Wildness alongside a busy day at work. I achieved this though, by taking a break in the evening to watch a wild webcam in the form of BBC Springwatch’s live nest cams. It was amazing to get a different perspective of the nests, such as being right inside a Jackdaw’s nest!

Day 2

Day 3 – Wednesday 3rd (Day off):

On my first day off during the challenge, I was able to go for a long walk out in nature, seeing what I could discover on my way. Despite it being a rainy day, the wildlife did not disappoint, with lots of different birds and insects making their presence felt, from families of Long-Tailed Tits to chattering Magpies.

Day 4 – Thursday 4th (Day off):

With another day off work, I decided to combine taking in nature with another of my passions, horse riding. On a hack with my next door neighbour’s mare Marsha, I got to get some really great views of the beautiful countryside near where I live, combined with views of some great bird species, such as my favourites, the birds of prey.

Day 5 – Friday 5th (Work):

Over the last couple of months I have tried to regularly upload a new post to this blog every Friday. To combine 30 Days Wild with my recent How to… series, on this day I uploaded a piece about making a home for wildlife, and in particular a hotel for bees. To do this post, I got to make my very own hotel, which was very rewarding, so if you would like to make your own, why not check out my easy guide: How to… Make Your Own Bee Hotel

Day 5

Day 6 – Saturday 6th (Day off):

I love growing my own fruit and vegetables, and then being able to pick and eat them! So I was happy on this day off, that I got the pleasure of picking my family’s first gooseberry crop, though it took a while after to top and tail all of them! I also spent time listening to my bird songs and calls CD to do some revision before going out for a walk to test my knowledge. I now love being able to instinctively know when I can hear certain species, such as a Blackcap or Yellowhammer singing in the landscape!

Day 6

Day 7 – Sunday 7th (Work):

I spent the whole of my Sunday making a note of the species that I came across as I went about my usual day before, during and after work. I was able to realise just how lucky I am to work outside and spend so much time out in nature everyday!

I also spent the evening catching up on Springwatch with the company of one of my house cats!

Day 8 – Monday 8th (Work):

During my 30 Days Wild, I wanted to donate to a wildlife cause. I decided that one cause I wanted to support was the Marine Turtle Conservation Project, which without funding would not be able to continue their important work. It was also well timed as the 8th of June was World Oceans Day!

I as well finished my day excitingly helping with Barn Owl nest box checks in my local area, now that I am fully licensed. This included the Barn Owl box on my family’s own farm and it is definitely looking positive for them this year!

Day 9 – Tuesday 9th (Work):

On this day, I was lucky enough to go out hacking on horseback whilst at work, and rode through some really spectacular countryside. It was one very busy day at work, so when I got home I also relaxed with some wild reading, including a great fictional book by zoologist Delia Owens called Where The Crawdads Sing. Her imagery of the North Carolina marshland is absolutely stunning!

Day 9

Day 10 – Wednesday 10th (Day off):

For my day off, I wanted to spend time really taking in the natural world around me and exploring the finer details. In this way, I got to see some incredible things from a hunting Sparrowhawk and Digger Bee nests to strong smelling Honeysuckle and mating Yellow Shell Moths. There is just so much to see if you give yourself the time to take it all in!

Day 10

Day 11 – Thursday 11th (Day off):

The day before during my walks, I had collected some Barn Owl pellets from beneath two nest sites, a tree and a nest box, on my family’s land. I then spent the next day soaking the pellets and teasing them apart to see what they held inside. From the nest box site, there was Field Vole, Mouse and Common Shrew bones, whereas from the tree site there was Field and Bank Vole, Common and Pygmy Shrew, and Brown Rat.

I also spent some time identifying plants that I had seen out and about, including learning to identify a Male Fern that my cat was very interested in helping me with!

Day 11

Day 12 – Friday 12th (Work):

This Friday, I once again combined 30 Days Wild with my recent How to… series, uploading a post on making small changes to your own life to help our planet. For example, walking and cycling more, thinking before you buy, and cutting your water usage. If you want to get inspired yourself, check out my post: How to… Help the planet one small step at a time.

I also spent some time on this rainy day, appreciating the beauty of the falling rain.

Day 12

Day 13 – Saturday 13th (Day off):

I spent my Saturday wild and busy. My activities ranged from identifying pollinators to organising equipment ahead of the autumn bird ringing season. I am always happiest doing something but doing something outside is even better!

Day 14 – Sunday 14th (Work):

There is nothing more valuable than your own parents passing down their knowledge to you, and with mine it is no different. I have my Mum to thank for the foundations of all my wildlife knowledge today, from bird song to plant species. This year my Mum has been teaching me about chalkland species, using the chalk mound my Mum and Dad have created themselves on our farmland. It has been so enjoyable listening to my Mum as she IDs and teaches me each and every species on the ridge!

Day 15 – Monday 15th (Work):

The ever-changing sky is a source of wonder and life. I took time over the course of a whole day, appreciating it and watching it change, from cloud watching with white fluffy and dark rain clouds to an unexpectedly beautiful sunset!

Day 16 – Tuesday 16th (Work):

One of the acitivities I definitely wanted to do during 30 Days Wild, was to make my own bird food, taking me back to my childhood. I kept it simple with lard and bird seed, and packed the food into different shaped recycled containers for some variation. I then left it in the fridge overnight with the aim of testing it the very next day!

Day 16

Day 17 – Wednesday 17th (Day off):

I began my day off by putting out my homemade bird food in the garden. Unfortunately it was a bit hot, and the food kept melting off its strings! It was a hit with the local fledged Starling chicks though, and eventually disappeared within 48 hours.

I also took my mum and dad to my bird ringing trainer’s private nature reserve for a a different walk. It is such a lovely place to be, and gave us all some inspiration of how we can make more homes for wildlife on our own land. To finish the day, I helped pick some of the fruit growing in my family’s garden, my favourites being the strawberries!

Day 17

Day 18 – Thursday 18th (Day off) :

People who read my blog will know that I love the woods! It’s a place I go to when I want a break from the world or just to watch the seasons change in a place where it’s at its most noticeable. So as part of my 30 Days Wild, I headed into the woods for a spot of forest bathing and a refresher. The day’s rain did not even stop me!

Day 18

Day 19 – Friday 19th (Work):

Due to my love of spring and wildlife photography, for this Friday on my blog, I uploaded a post about my favourite photos from spring 2020. It was great to reflect on my own spring and to look back on some great moments, making it easily one of my favourite posts so far this year! If you want to take a look, check out my Spring 2020: In Photos. 

I also headed out into my family’s land after work, to revisit a favourite camera trapping spot from this spring. Once there, I set up my camera trap again, and looked forward to seeing what I might catch this time around.

Day 19

Day 20 – Saturday 20th (Work):

After work, I signed up to the BTO’s Garden BirdWatch, which is currently free for everyone to take part, and allows me to upload what I see in my garden at home every week. I also took time out to focus on my mental health, and completed a wild guided meditation, lying on the grass in my garden. I picked this particular meditation as it incorporates taking in the sounds around you, such as the sounds of nature. It was so surreal for me to relax outside and then reopen my eyes to see lots and lots of baby starlings looking back at me!

Day 20

Day 21 – Sunday 21st (Day off):

As it was Father’s Day, for my Sunday off, I got to spend lots of time with my dad. This included two walks also with my mum, where we tried to see what nature had to offer us, which included birds of prey and wonderful Skylarks. To top off an active day, I also pulled on my trainers for the first time in a couple of weeks, due to an injury, and went for a run through the countryside around my home. I just cannot get enough of being outdoors!

Day 21

Day 22 – Monday 22nd (Work):

For my Monday, I completed two different Random Acts of Wildness. Firstly, I began writing down all the birds I saw in my garden during the day as part of the BTO’s Garden BirdWatch.

I then made a donation to charity. I may not have a lot of money, but at times like these I realise how lucky and fortunate I am in life. So when I saw another great cause, I had to get involved and donate!

Two years ago, during my Master’s in Conservation and Biodiversity, I got the opportunity to go on a field course to Kenya, with a lot of organisation from Adventure Upgrade Safaris. They even got me a cake for my birthday! Now without tourism, the company are struggling and without our support, they will not be able to continue for the future. They need our help to survive!

Day 22

Day 23 – Tuesday 23rd (Work):

This day was an exciting day for me! It was the day that, after work, I got to retrieve my camera trap that I had put out last Friday!

Though I had previously captured my best camera trap photo this year in this location (a fox cub), I did not know what to expect this time around. My camera trap did not disappoint though, and the photos included those of the fox cub I had previously seen, a rabbit and some really great photos of some badgers!

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Day 24 – Wednesday 24th (Day off):

On a day when I really needed it, I got to spend my day off doing some things I love. My bird ringing group starts the autumn migration ringing season on the 1st of August and so to start my Wednesday, I helped with some of the preparation for the season. For example, we completed an important but often overlooked job, re-dying our mist nets with a special dye mix.

I also excitingly spent some of my day ringing Kestrel chicks and, now that I am fully licensed, helped with Barn Owl nest box checks. This led to me also getting to ring Barn Owl chicks and getting some great views of some Little Owls!

Day 24

Day 25 – Thursday 25th (Day off):

Another activity I really wanted to do during my 30 Days Wild, was to do some wild baking. I decided on making some simple vanilla cupcakes and decorating them with minibeasts in different colours.

My time spent baking was not without some drama though, as I ended up modelling icing during an afternoon of over 30 degrees heat! Despite this, I soldiered on through runny icing, with the much needed help of my mum, and had some great fun, whilst making some yummy cakes topped with interesting and colourful creatures!

Day 25

Day 26 – Friday 26th (Work):

For my last Friday of 30 Days Wild, I uploaded to my blog another brand new post. This time my post followed on from last Friday’s spring upload, and focussed on how spring unfolded this year. If you want to have a read about how my extra special spring actually turned out this year, check out my Spring 2020: How It Happened.

Day 26

Day 27 – Saturday 27th (Day off):

This day was another day of relaxing in nature. This included watching and recording the birds in my garden, going for a long horse ride through the Dorset countryside, and exploring the flowers growing in my garden and on my currently ‘no mow’ lawn.

Day 27

Day 28 – Sunday 28th (Work):

With it being especially rainy during my day at work, I made it my priority to spend my lunch break outdoors during a break in the weather. It was a much needed refresher! Also, having completed my first week of the BTO’s Garden BirdWatch yesterday, I spent my evening uploading my results to their website. It was exciting to see how the week actually went!

Day 28

Day 29 – Monday 29th (Work):

I spent this Monday rushed off of my feet at work. To keep my brain relaxed though, I came up with the plan of spending my day attempting to noticing the wildlife around me and seeing if I could find a species for each letter of the alphabet. I had a very successful day of it, alongside being very productive at work, leading to only one species missing (the letter X)!

The response to me completing this activity was absolutely amazing on Twitter. It gave me a real sense of joy to see everyone’s support, so thank you everyone!

Day 30 – Tuesday 30th (Work):

Today was the last day of June and the final day of 30 Days Wild. However much I would have liked to have finished with a bang, it would not have fit my true and busy day. Instead, today was a day of appreciating and being grateful for the natural world around me. This may be in the form of what I encountered on my travels or seen out of my window, or by taking in other people’s experiences such as through books and on twitter. I treasured them all!

Day 30

My Highlights

This June has been a wild rollercoaster which I have absolutely loved! Spending time focussing on nature each and every day has enriched my days, relaxed me, and allowed me to connect further with the wild world around me. If I had to pick some highlights, these would include my wild alphabet becoming popular on Twitter, making wild cupcakes with my mum, expanding my knowledge of plants, ringing my first Kestrel and Barn Owl chicks, and sharing my 30 Days Wild on social media.

I have learnt and experienced so much this past month, and I am now inspired to continue making the natural world an important part of each and every day, and to share my passion with as many people as I possibly can. I hope that if you participated in this year’s challenge, that you also had a great month. Otherwise here’s to next year’s 30 Days Wild!

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Nesting barn owls

/ Laura Tuke / Leave a comment

In reference to my earlier blog post ‘Breeding barn owls’, I have continued to monitor my barn owl nest box in which we believe a pair of barn owls to be using.

Now i can update you all on what has happened to our pair.

The weekend after i did a barn owl box stake out (see ‘Breeding barn owls’), we had really bad rainy weather, and we did not see the pair hunting during this time. As a result we came to the conclusion that they were not able to find an adequate amount of food for themselves during this time. This gave us the inkling that the pair may have abandoned their breeding attempt for this year.

For a time we continued to see the pair hunting over the fields during evenings, until a couple of weeks later we stopped seeing them. I then found a suspicious amount of barred white feathers in a wood within the vicinity the barn owls hunt in. I believe them to be from one of our barn owls, and the amount of feathers found make me think that one of the pair may have been attacked.

Our thoughts about our nest box were confirmed when we decided to check it, and found two abandoned barn owl eggs.

We have not seen two birds again, but at the end of last week, we saw one barn owl hunting on our farm once again.