BirdWatch Ireland announces Duhallow Raptor Survey

BirdWatch Ireland have just announced the Duhallow Raptor Conservation Survey in their E-Wings Newsletter. A snippet is shown below...

John Lusby visiting a Duhallow Barn Owl nest site (under licence from the NPWS).

"Detailed raptor survey gets underway in Duhallow

Until recently, our knowledge of Ireland's Barn Owls and the problems they face was relatively limited. Thankfully this situation has dramatically changed over the past five years, largely due to the efforts of volunteers who have facilitated comprehensive monitoring of their elusive populations throughout the country. Last year, conservation and monitoring efforts in the southwest received an additional boost, with IRD Duhallow coming on board and providing funding through the LEADER 2007-2013 programme."

You can read the full article on the BirdWatch Ireland website HERE. Lots of information on surveying for Barn Owls, Long-eared Owls and Kestrels in Duhallow...

Still time to put up nest boxes

There is still time to put up a Kestrel nest box. If it is installed within the next week or two, there is a good chance it could be used by Kestrels this coming summer. Details on how to make and install one are on this page HERE. Be sure and let us know if you put one up anywhere in the Duhallow region, as we can advise on its placement.

Putting the final touches on a Kestrel nest box before installation (Photo: M.O'Clery).

Survey starts with nest boxes

Young Kestrels in a nest box

The Survey will start in early March with the installation of some additional nest boxes for Barn Owls and Kestrels. The Long-eared Owl nest platforms will be tackled later in the season once the survey identifies the areas in which the owls might be found.