A barn owl has been spotted on the Hannah estate, close to St Quivox. The Institute is delighted by this, following the introduction two years ago of a nesting box scheme for a number of bird species, including owls. Out of the 50+ nesting boxes introduced, more than 2/3 have been successfully used.
In July, we were distressed to find a dead buzzard on the estate. The carcass was sent for toxicology testing, although this proved to be inconclusive. The Institute has stepped up it’s monitoring of the estate’s raptor population and the appropriate authorities notified. Birds of prey are commonly and sadly increasingly, subject to poisoning. The Institute takes such criminal acts very seriously, and will seek the prosecution of any perpetrators.
