There is a fascination for one of our most magical raptor species – something very much on display through the stunning pictures of owls captured by local wildlife photographer Mark Taylor Hutchinson.
There are not as many to be seen today as a century ago, a look at the lost wildlife of the Sid Valley picturing a lost terrain of fields patrolled by silent barn owls hunting voles and mice.
And yet, whilst there has clearly been a decline, there are owls to be seen and heard across the Sid Valley, with the Donkey Sanctuary now considered a ‘haven for barn owls’.
There are also owls in the centre of Sidmouth. For example there have been regular spottings (and hearings) of “Tawny Owls in Blackmore Gardens”. And the Knapp in central Sidmouth certainly has several owls at work.
Just around the corner from the Knapp nature reserve is the main Cemetery – where there is talk of putting up bird boxes, including larger ones for owls.
And at Glen Goyle, there have been discussions with and site visits by the Devon Wildlife Trust and national owl conservation groups to see what can be done to make it easier for these guardians of the night to take more purchase on this magical space.
To finish, here’s a link to an encouraging piece explaining why people should welcome Barn Owls into their towns.
We’ll keep you posted about bird boxes and any sightings along the Glen!
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