Courteenhall Estate Celebrates Barn Owl Arrival
Efforts to entice barn owls to a rural estate have proven successful, according to a monitoring group.
At Courteenhall, near Northampton, the installation of four barn owl boxes earlier this year has resulted in three showing signs of habitation.
In a significant milestone, a barn owl has been ringed at Courteenhall for the first time, enabling the tracking of its progress and movements.
Encouraging the proliferation of these birds, the estate has urged neighboring landowners to set up similar boxes.
Owned by the Wake family since 1672, Courteenhall boasts a Georgian hall enveloped by landscaped parkland teeming with diverse wildlife. However, there has been a concerted effort to attract more owl species.
The recent installation of four boxes, overseen by Chris Payne, a licensed senior ringer and trainer for Northants Ringing Group, has yielded promising results.
“On my initial winter visit to Courteenhall, evidence indicated barn owls using two of the boxes,” Payne reported. “One of the boxes contained a few little owl pellets as well.”
During a subsequent inspection of the remaining new boxes, Payne successfully ringed “our first Courteenhall barn owl,” discovered roosting in one of them.
“This beautiful female weighs a healthy 300g, boasting impeccable plumage and needle-sharp talons,” Payne described.
Dr. Johnny Wake, managing partner of Courteenhall Farms, expressed delight at the burgeoning owl population.
“Ringing is crucial as it enables us to gather a comprehensive overview of movements in and around the estate and its surroundings,” Dr. Wake explained. “This effort becomes even more impactful when adjacent landowners contribute by installing owl boxes.”
He emphasized the close monitoring of these boxes in the upcoming months, especially preceding the breeding season.