Barn Owl Project 2003

THE BARN OWL PROJECT - 2003

It all started with a visit to the Barn Owl Centre in Brockworth by the Beavers. S/L Louise Slee thought it a good idea if the Troop could be involved in a project of making owl nesting boxes and finding somewhere to place them in Shurdington. With the help of Vince Jones of the Barn Owl Centre, and John Godsell, a parent and also expert woodworker, measurements and photos were taken of an owl nesting box. The next few weeks were spent with each Patrol visiting the owl centre and flying owls, and also making boxes. Four boxes were made and on 7th April 2003, the Troop walked to the secret site in Shurdington and Vince went about finding suitable trees a fair distance from each other. Three were identified and the first three boxes were erected some 12 feet off the ground. A G.P.S. gadget was used by Vince to record the precise location of the nesting boxes. This will be entered in a National Database of some 300 nesting boxes in 6 counties. This project will earn the Scouts their Environment Badge.
To comply with Safety Regulations names are omitted. Any family members wanting a better quality photo e-mailed please let me know. These will only be sent to e-mail addresses previously registered on membership forms.

KALN - Photo copyright Barn Owl Centre	Here's one Vince made earlier.	Gizmo - Photo copyright Barn Owl Centre


Vince explaining the angle of the ladder needs to be low for safety.	Choosing the right height and direction.	Off for the first nesting box.	Vince Jones demonstrating how to carry a heavy box up the ladder.

So! any volunteers?...	...O.K. I'll do it then.	Box No.1 going up...	...and being nailed to the tree.

An historic picture - the Scouts who made it, and watched it being fixed.	Taking it's position with a G.P.S.	No. 2 box can go on this old oak tree.	How's that look?

No.2 box fixed.	Now for the last one...	This old tree looks just right.	John Godsell received a token gift from Louise Slee for his hard work in making the nesting boxes.