Nature lovers are being offered a rare chance to pay a house call on the next generation of owls in Kielder Water & Forest Park.
The Forestry Commission is staging two spectacular owl nights on its estate in the 62,000-hectare (155,000-acre) wilderness on 8 and 17 May when experts involved in a 30-year conservation project will take people to see newly born chicks, guaranteed to melt the heart!
The event is being staged as part of Wild about Kielder, a major campaign to celebrate the astonishing wildlife of the North Tyne.
Veteran birdman Martin Davison has been monitoring Kielder’s birds for the Forestry Commission for nearly three decades. Tawny owls are a huge success story, thanks to the erection of 230 boxes and sensitive habitat management. While Martin monitors boxes in the eastern part of the huge forest, fellow conservationists look after the remainder. That's just as well because each box has to be visited three times, first to count and weigh eggs, then to capture the adult owl to record its vital statistics and finally to ring chicks. Martin Davison said:
“It’s a hectic time of year, but also brilliantly rewarding. Every chick that hatches helps secure the species' future. Young tawnies also look fantastic, bundles of sleepy fluff that bring a smile to your face.”
Tawnies are not the only owl calling the forest park home. Long-eared owls are also present, but in much lower numbers. Special nests, which look like hanging baskets have been erected to provide a des res for the magnificent creature. Martin Davison added:
“We had eight nests occupied last year which produced the same number of chicks. Tawnies are a relatively easy animal to study as they tend to stay put for most of their life. But long eared owls range much wider. They are probably the least researched owl in the country, so the work we are doing at Kielder is nationally important.”
To join either of the owls nights you will need to book in advance by calling the Forestry Comission at Kielder Castle Visitor Centre on 01434 250209. The cost is £5 adult and £3 concessions, £12 family of four. For more information on Wild at Kielder visit www.visitkielder.com
Kielder Water & Forest Park is home to the largest forest in England and the largest man-made lake in Northern Europe. It was recently voted the most tranquil place in England by the Campaign to Protect Rural England.
ENDS
Notes to editor:
The Kielder Partnership is a public, voluntary and private sector collaboration working to develop Kielder Water & Forest Park as an inspirational place for leisure, exploration and fun. Partners are the Calvert Trust, Environment Agency, Forestry Commission, Northumberland County Council and Northumbrian Water plus representation from community groups.
Media calls to: Richard Darn on 01226 246351. Mobile 0775 367 0038.