Barn owl numbers boosted by boxes

A scheme to boost the number of barn owls in Nottinghamshire has seen its most successful spring so far.

Broxtowe Borough Barn Owl Project (BBOP) recorded its first nesting bird in 2007 and this year five breeding pairs have hatched 20 young.

The volunteer-run initiative has put up 28 barn owl boxes with the support of local farmers and landowners, as well as raised awareness of wildlife.

Barn owl numbers have fallen sharply in the past 50 years.

Conservationists have attributed the decline to a loss of breeding sites, intensive farming affecting prey and road casualties.

Members of the BBOP said they would continue to enhance habitats in the Broxtowe area, as well as training people how to identify barn owls and erect owl boxes.