Chalk & Hawks Project Supporters Page

Supporters

The Chalk & Hawks Project has a group of committed volunteers helping with its work in the conservation of barn owls and kestrels.
We are keen to encourage more people across Dorset to take an active part in this work as well as other aspects of the project. Below are examples of some of the activities carried out by our volunteers.

Survey sites for the presence of barn owls and kestrels
Making nest boxes at organised workshops
Installing nest boxes
Assisting in monitoring breeding success of birds of prey
Research feildwork (e.g. radio-tracking juvenile barn owls)
Helping at wildlife events and activities
Manning our display stand at shows and festivals
Collecting video footage from our wildlife cameras

Voluntary work with Chalk & Hawks

Nest box workshops

Barn owls and kestrels are 'Species of Unfavourable Conservation Status' across Europe and on the 'Amber List' of UK Birds of Conservation Concern (JNCC/British Trust for Ornithology 2004).

Factors leading to the decline of these birds are complex (see Raptor Conservation) but one major hurdle in their recovery is the lack of suitable nesting sites. Many old barns and decaying hedgerow trees (traditional nesting sites) have disappeared in the countryside reducing the number of potential nest sites and forcing these birds to nest in less ideal locations.

By making and installing secure, well-placed nest boxes, supporters can help improve the breeding success of these species.

The Chalk & Hawks Project runs Nest Box Workshops where training is given in the construction of boxes, as well as advise on their siting and installation. These workshops are an opportunity to develop skills and knowledge, and to meet with like-minded people. And they are fun!

Nest recording

The British Trust for Ornithology organises the National Nest Records Scheme. The purpose of which is to monitor the breeding performance/productivity of Britain's birds.

By systematically collecting data from nests over a number of years, falls in breeding productivity in particular species can be detected at an early stage of population decline. Similarly, when measures are introduced to allieviate or reverse population declines, nest records can help scientists to assess whether these measures have been successful.

Volunteers, with the neccessary aptitude, can train to become nest recorders with the Chalk & Hawks Project.

It is hoped that local people will become guardians of the birds of prey in their neighbourhood, helping the progress of populations to be monitored more closely.

Radio-tracking

Some C&H volunteers have developed their skills and are now helping to radio-track juvenile barn owls as they move around Dorset.

This research project began in 2004 and aims to find out more about what happens to barn owls in the first year of their lives. Data obtained on the fatalities of young barn owls is almost certainly biased towards road traffic accidents as this is where people are most likely to come across dead birds. But we need to know what happens to other barns owls and this project aims to find out.