Good news for owls, bad news for voles in creature count

Wildlife experts in a remote corner of England have reported a mini-baby boom in the number of tawny owls being born.

An increase in the number of voles, their most important prey, has led around 90 tawny pairs to have chicks, as opposed to just 25 last year, in an area surveyed at Kielder Forest, Northumberland.

Over that time, Forestry England has installed 240 boxes in the trees to provide ready made homes and allow experts to monitor their welfare.

Thousands of chicks have also been ringed as part of the long-term scientific study, revealing, amongst other things, that some have gone on to live for more than 20 years.

“When they are abundant, owls have more chicks.

“When they are scarce, many skip breeding and wait for better times.

“Long-term studies like this are research gold-dust. It’s shown that upland forests can support a thriving and stable tawny population when sensitively managed.

“It’s a tribute to the long-term skill and dedication of our foresters and ecologists.”

Not only are chicks ringed with a unique identifier, but they are also weighed and have one of their wings measured.

“Young tawnies are very docile and it’s a painless experience for them. Looking like bundles of fluff, they always bring a smile to my face,” Mr Davison said.